Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2827: Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy - She was the Alpha, He was the Beta (PHOTO)

Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wosniacki have provided a lot of nonverbal displays in the last several days - and this image is yet another fantastic example.

This photo was taken in London about a week before their break up. Note Wosniacki's feet are planted entirely on the ground. Notice also her knees and feet - and their distance apart. This is consistent with high confidence and an alpha dominance. Both McIlroy's feet and knees are quite close together - and his heels and mid-feet are also off the ground. This is highly indicative of a role-reversing display of low confidence and beta-submissiveness.

A similar configuration can be seen with each of their upper arm's as distanced from their torso's - McIlroy's are much closer while Wozniacki's are considerably further away and forward - again displaying an absolute and relative alpha over her then fiancé's beta emotional tone.

Rory is looking at his phone and probably reading a text; so his relatively beta (almost feminine) body language may have nothing at all to do with the couple's impending break up. However - when viewed in the context of the previous two posts (Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2825: Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki break off their Engagement - Body Language Tells and Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2826: Caroline Wozniacki & Rory McIlroy Call Off Their Engagement - Body Language and Dominance) - this nonverbal cluster is highly suggestive of McIlroy's submissiveness and Wosniacki's dominant role in the decision making with regards to the couple's very recent break-up.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2605: President Obama and Health Insurance Cancellation Fix - and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid Body Language Illustrator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2770: Oscar Pistorius and Contrasting Confidence Levels - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2767: Barack Obama Meets Pope Francis - The Body Language "Being Beta"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2822: Ludacris, Low Confidence, High Confidence and Contempt - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2616: John Kennedy and Richard Nixon Handshake at Kennedy Inaugural Address, One Body Language Maneuver to Counter a Dominance Display

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2120: Barack Obama on David Letterman's Show Response to Mitt Romney's 47% Remark

This video segment of President Obama on the David Letterman Show is just 1:20 in duration - however there are several interesting body language tells. Here are two of them:

When David Letterman asks the President about his interpretation of Mitt Romney's now infamous "47% remark" - note how Obama remains leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed (doing his best Matt Lauer). While the President certainly wants to relax - he should take care NOT to come off disengaged. He would have been well-advised to plant both feet on the floor, a bit wider apart than his shoulders - and leaned forward as he answered David's question. His backward-leaning, legs-crossed configuration gives the impression of aloofness and does not build rapport or engage the electorate.

At the 1:05 mark - just a fraction of a second after he says, "hard working" and just before he says "family" - the President displays a classic microexpression of contempt (play these few seconds several times, it may be difficult to see initially). This lasted less than 0.1 second, yet it is a highly reliable nonverbal signal of Barack Obama's emotional tone - at that moment.

See also:

Analysis # 2093: Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye - Matt Lauer's Classic "Tongue-in-Cheek" and Duplicitous Smile (part II)

Analysis # 1912: Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye - Matt Lauer's Insincerity (part I)

Analysis # 2059: Musharraf has Contempt towards Pakistan's Intelligence Agency

Analysis # 1407: Auboni Champion-Morin Reunited with Kidnapped Son After 8 Years - Microexpression of Contempt

Analysis # 2050: George Zimmerman's Interview on Fox - Microexpression of Contempt and Duping Delight

Analysis # 1515: White House Press Secretary Jay Carney's Numerous Microexpresions and Subtle Displays of Contempt

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Tip # 1239: Benjamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama and Iran

This is an interesting video which includes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, United States President Barack Obama and some of their remarks regarding Iran and nuclear weapons. From a body language analysis point of view - both leaders display nonverbal signals which are completely congruent with their verbal statements.

The President has several times quoted Teddy Roosevelt's "Speak softly and carry a big stick" - and this video clearly demonstrates several similar nonverbal signals. Both men are very accomplished speakers and very accustomed to being in the spot light - yet notice how President Obama is sitting in his chair - leaning back and less engaged than Mr. Netanyahu. The Prime Minister is seated forward, only his lower back touches the chair during this video - indicating a much higher "decision ready" emotional tone.

Mr. Netanyahu's feet are planted flat on the floor as well - further demonstrating that he's either very close to making a decision or is making it now. Barack Obama's legs are crossed however - consistent with the President's verbal remarks that although, "... The United States will always have Israel's back when it comes to Israel's security...", and that "... I do not have a policy of containment. I have a policy of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."-  Obama believes there is still time for negotiation and a diplomatic solution with Iran. Notice that his left leg is crossed towards Netanyahu. In addition, Obama leans toward Netanyahu - mirroring his posture change of a few seconds earlier (at about the 6:25 mark) further demonstrating favor and respect for the Israeli leader and his views. We point our feet towards, lean towards and mirror those whom we like and respect. Yet the President has not yet reached the dichotomy mindset of "to attack or not attack". The President believes and sees - both intellectually and emotionally - a Grey Zone; whereas Netanyahu's brain has crossed into the land of the Black and White decision.

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