Body Language Analysis No. 4212: Sarah Huckabee Sanders Responds to Questions about President Trump's Tweet Regarding the FBI and the Florida School Shooting - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Tuesday, Sarah Huckabee Sanders held a press briefing. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of a crucial few seconds of this event when a journalist asked Ms. Sanders' to explain one of President Trump's recent tweets (included immediately below).

JOURNALIST (beginning at 5:00): ... First a clarification from some of the President's Tweets over the weekend. The President doesn't really think - that the FBI failed to stop the Parkland Shooter because it was - too involved with the Russia Investigation, does he?

SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: I, I, I think he was speaking, ahhhh, n-not necessarily that that is the, the, the cause - I think we all aaum have to be aware that the cause of - t-this is - that of a deranged individual, ah, that made a decision to take the lives of seventeen other people. Ahum, that is the responsibility of the shooter, ahum, certainly not the responsilibility [sic] of anybody else.

During 5:20, as Ms. Sanders says, "aaum" - she displays a simply classic Inward Lip Roll. Because of its brevity, this is also a borderline Microexpression.

An inward lip roll is a manifestation of our psyche trying to suppress the outward display - as well as the inward growth of an unwanted emotion.

The emotion/behavior Sarah Huckabee Sanders is trying to suppress is joy/laughter.

During the next approximately 1.2 seconds - as Ms. Sanders continues her sentence with "... have to be aware ...", we see her in various stages and configurations of a partially suppressed smile.

These are profound examples of what, in nonverbal parlance, is known as Duping Delight (Ekman).

Duping delight is one form of smiling out of context. The reason Ms. Sanders is partially smiling/partially suppressing her smile - is that the subconscious mind takes pleasure in fooling people (or believing that they're being fooled [duped]). Children exhibit this behavior frequently.

When comparing President Trump's tweet - with Ms. Sanders' attempt at explaining it - one can see that they're highly incongruous. Her answer cannot be reconciled - it's clear and demonstrable deception.

Ms. Sanders' paralanguage behavior is also noteworthy. She committed many stuttering displays. Her mispronunciation of "responsibility" as "responsilibility" [sic] - further betrays her anxiety. Ms. Sanders' word choice of "responsibility" in this context is also odd. Moreover, from a strict logic point of view, Ms. Sanders' simply did not answer the question.

Summary: Sarah Huckabee Sanders' lied in her answer to the journalist regarding President Trump's tweet. A word transcript alone verifies her duplicity. Her nonverbal and paralanguage displays are classic and indicative of deception. These signals are also textbook examples of duping delight and attempts at emotional suppression.


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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4211: Donald Trump Feels The Need To Dial-up His Alpha

Body Language Analysis No. 4209: Emma Gonzalez, Florida HS Shooting, and Emotional Processing

Body Language Analysis No. 4207: Stoneman Douglas High School shooting (Parkland, Florida), Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4205: Chloe Kim, Albert Einstein, and Creativity

Body Language Analysis No. 4198: Lupita Nyong'o, Black Panther, and Attention to Detail

Body Language Analysis No. 4107: Paul Manafort, Robert Mueller, Russian Oligarchs, and Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4158: Michelle Williams regarding Kevin Spacey - "All the Money in the World"

Body Language Analysis No. 4123: Jason Momoa, Aquaman, the Quindent, and a Secret

Body Language Analysis No. 4071: Fans' Reaction to Trauma - Young Girl Hit By Foul Ball at Yankee Stadium


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3590: Pam Bondi (Florida's Attorney General), Anderson Cooper and LGBT support - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This video, published yesterday, shows Anderson Cooper interviewing Florida's Attorney General, Pam Bondi.  Cooper was relatively confrontational, not allowing the AG off the hook very easily. During the 2:21 to 2:23 segment, Bondi exemplifies a very common nonverbal display.

When Mr. Cooper pursues the LGBT subject matter to a place where Ms. Bondi becomes more emotionally uncomfortable, she collects her hair and pulls it back behind her shoulders. This "Hair Sequestering" body language is a signal of alpha up-regulation. Even though she is Florida's top attorney (ergo a very alpha position), Ms. Bondi felt the need to momentarily dial-up her assertiveness even higher.

Although common, the significance of this body language is misunderstood by all but a few. Many people will say that their hair "itches" or "it was in my face", etc., - and that's why they adjusted or "fixed" their hair. Yet if you watch closely, virtually every time this maneuver is performed, there is an effort being made by the person to "step up" their alpha qualities.

This "Hair Sequestering" is not as common as its cousin - the "Hair Adjustment Behind the Ear" (aka HABE). Additionally,  it's seen more often with women as well as those with longer hair (although it's displayed by both genders and even with those individuals with short hair).

It's very helpful to recognize those specific moments when the person with whom your speaking feels the need to dial-up their alpha qualities. How many other body language signals of "alpha up-regulation" can you name?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3589: Barack Obama's retort to Donald Trump regarding ISIS

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3587: The Orlando Mass Shooting, Omar Mateen and Warning Signs - Body Language Red Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3583: Donald Trump, Reaching out to Bernie Sanders' Supporters and Insincerity Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3581: Hillary Clinton, Likability and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3426: Barack Obama, Executive Action, Gun Control and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3263: Barack Obama on Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" - The Sarcastic Bobble Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3286: Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black & C'est la vie

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3320: Pope Francis speaks before the U.S. Congress - Body Language of Boehner and Biden


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3273: Marco Rubio, The Republican Debate, Monotonous Body Language and Anxiety (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

It's often been noted that Marco Rubio is a bit more nervous than many would expect for a U.S. Senator - and particularly during higher priority televised events. You may recall Senator Rubio gave the Republican response to President Obama's State of the Union Address in 2013. In this retort his throat grew dry and he took a gulp of water. This is not surprising however - for public speaking (especially with the incredible spotlight of a national and even World stage) is an extremely common anxiety evoking activity. Indeed many rate speaking before an audience at near the top of all feared events. Some people would even prefer death to giving a speech.

During the Republican debate last Thursday, Rubio responded to a question regarding illegal immigration with repeated, fairly monotonous variations of the same nonverbal illustrator. With some mild variations, the Florida Senator used the index finger-to-thumb pinch-point with his right (dominant hand) during his entire response (except at the very end - once his time had expired).

Pinch-Point Forward

This is a more aggressive, more polarizing, hyper-authoritative nonverbal and should never be used for too long a duration (only a few seconds when driving home a crucial issue).

A person displaying the forward pinch-point - and in a tight fashion as Senator Rubio is here, indicates a higher level of anxiety.

The downward pinch-point is also high on the scale of both an anxiety indicator as well as signaling both aggressiveness and authoritativeness.

Hand tension is highly correlative with facial tension.

This pinch-point is more loosely-held and indicates a reduction of the Senator's stress. Accordingly we can see his face shows less tension as well. 

Here - we see a brief "Loose Fist Thumbs-up". It's almost a "Politician's Point" - and is a more relaxed illustrator as well (The thumb is not pinching against the forefinger [index finger], but they are momentarily forming a circle).

In this moment, all five digits come together - in a loose pinch - and importantly, the palm is turned upward.

Palm-up displays generate more rapport and indicate less anxiety.

Senator Rubio is saved by the bell - for it's not until it rings that Marco uses his left hand in this answer. During this entire response it was griping the lectern. The monotonous use of only one arm/hand is a sure signal of anxiety - moreover it has projects less confidence, diminishes trust and significantly reduces the ability to influence others.

Knowing his time is up - at least until he gets another question - Senator Rubio's anxiety drops, he loosens-up his body language and his left hand comes out of hiding. The increased distance Rubio's arms are from his torso in this last moment are also very telling for his momentary heightened confidence.

Notice how relaxed Rubio's face has become - and of course his hands, arms and shoulders are as well. Always remember this control mechanism - lowering the tension in your upper limbs will reduce your nervousness. Senator Rubio would be well-advised to practice more relaxed and fluid arm-hand gestures (yet such nonverbals must ALWAYS congruent). Not only will this project more confidence and build greater rapport (ergo votes) - but it will also have the added benefit of down-regulating the Senator's anxiety level via a user-friendly feedback loop.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3272: Donald Trump, Megyn Kelly, Deception and Misogyny

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2215:  Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio Joke and Hint regarding the  2016 Presidential Race - "Tongue-in-Cheek" Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3154: Marco Rubio announces his Candidacy for President - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2295:  Marco Rubio - Three Magazine Covers  Three Different Body Language Signals

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1209:  Even Putin has Anxiety -  False Tie Adjust 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2408:  Sen. Kelly Ayotte's Anxiety & Regret via  Senators Graham & McCain -  Republican Body Language in Response to  President Obama's National Defense University Speech

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3200: Martin O'Malley announces Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language of Emotional Processing 
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2984: Florida Gubernatorial Debate (Fangate) - Charlie Crist vs. Rick Scott - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night, Florida's current Governor (Rick Scott, republican) and former Governor (Charlie Crist, now a democrat who previously served the same office as a republican) participated in a debate which had a bizarre beginning. It took Crist about two minutes to get on stage while it took about another five minutes for Governor Scott to show up.

I've prepared many a politician for debates, yet I've never seen this ultimate body language error - no "body" present. Wow. Both camps made mistakes, although Scott made the bigger one here. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis:

Many in the military or former military personnel would take offense to a lazy salute in a non-military context (0:39 - 0:40). Although he intended it to be friendly, this was not wise of Gov. Crist in a debate scenario.

After the moderator first addresses the issue of the fan Gov. Crist, clears his throat and covers his mouth (1:23) and then (see below) ....

.... during 1:23 - 1:24, he exhibits a very brief eyebrow flash along with a contraction of his entire forehead width.

This throat clearing, mouth cover, eyebrow flash, forehead contraction body language cluster indicate an embarrassment-anxiety of Gov. Crist.

Because Crist had walked over to the opposite side of the stage, he was not prepared when Scott finally walked out on stage and he shook Scott's hand. Crist turned his back to the audience - which is a major body language mistake. He also did not have his body parallel to Scott's which is also a significant hand shake faux pas.

Governor Crist received the first question, "Why did you insist on bringing a fan here when your campaign knew this would be a contentious issue?"

Crist answers, "Why not? <laughter> You know it's ah, is there anything wrong with being comfortable? I don't think there is. Having compassion with other people? <tongue jut> We, we did fine. Thank you Elliott."

This tongue jut signifies Crist believes, he almost got away with bad behavior - yet he was caught (5:15).

Maps and Surrogate MAPs (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) - rubbing his fingers and playing with pen - during 5:20 - 5:23. A significant anxiety indicator, particularly within the context of a high level political debate.

The Moderator asks, "And Governor Scott, why the delay in coming out over a fan?"

Gov. Scott answers, "He said, he said he was going to come to the debate - so why come out until he's ready? Well I waited, see, p- (inaudible), tell til we figured out if he was going to show up. He said he wasn't going to come to the ah, ah he was he said he was going to come to the debate - so why come out until he's ready?"

Then (5:31) Gov. Scott immediately looks down to his right - the quadrant where we tend to look when we're sad or feeling shame.

His mouth simultaneously assumes a configuration of regret. 

Gov. Scott's verbal explanation simply does not make sense. With lots of stuttering and misspeaking, this is highly congruent with the high anxiety of of his nonverbal behavior. This congruency is another strong indicator of deception, shame and regret.

Immediately following, during 5:33 - 5:35, Governor Scott's eyes then open very widely, with a relaxed forehead and a false mouth smile.

This nonverbal cluster indicates an extremely insincere smile. It is not to be trusted even in an otherwise honest person. If seen often - it is a huge red flag. Stay away.



See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2983: Shia LaBeouf on His Arrest on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1907:  Governor Rick Scott tells a Lie

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2725: Ted Nugent: Calls Barack Obama, "a Subhuman Mongrel" - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1706: Amanda Knox Interview after Guilty Verdict - Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2586: Harrison Ford in "Ender's Game" - Microexpression and Macroexpression of Regret - Harrison's Brand and the Stanislavski Method

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2408:  Sen. Kelly Ayotte's Anxiety & Regret via  Senators Graham & McCain -  Republican Body Language in Response to  President Obama's National Defense University Speech

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2322: Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist? Body Language Red Flags

This video segment of Matt Lauer interviewing Jeb Bush demonstrates some of the body language routinely exhibited by a narcissist. The morning show host crosses his right leg over his left knee - coming within a few centimeters of the former two-term governors right leg - well into his personal space. Lauer's left arm is over the left back of his chair throughout much of the interview while he points both the point of his pen and as well as left index finger (forefinger) at the possible 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate from Florida. Moreover he wags his finger as he points. This is offensive in virtually any setting and across all cultural boundaries. His voice is louder and his tones are more harsh than most people consider normal - even for media-interview context.

Here we see several nonverbal (and verbal) narcissist tendencies:

• Deliberate encroachment into another person's personal space while trying to look relaxed (Lauer's Leg)
• Taking up more space with arms
• Index finger pointing - particularly pointing with a wag or chopping motion, Pointing with sharp end of Pen
• Speaking louder for the social context
• Tone-of-voice harsh for social context
• Accusatory (e.g. Here Bush becomes a pseudo-target for events/things for which he was not responsible)
• Directing the conversation (This is of course normal for a talk show - although many would give an ex-governor, a brother & son of Presidents and possible future Presidential Candidate a bit more conversational latitude and courtesy. In most other scenarios, this conversational directing tendency, rather than true dialog - is a warning sign)
• False aka Pseudo-smiles 
• Excessive forehead muscle contraction (insincerity, narcissism or worse)

See also:

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 341: Narcissism, Parking and Mobile Phones

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1912:  Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye Matt Lauer's Insincerity

Negotiation and Dating Secret # 111: The Great Phone Tell

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1503:  The Conventional Steeple vs. The Basketball Steeple - Seeking a Balance

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 359:  Last Stop for the Cain Train

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1874:  Bad Handshake - Political Prevalence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2242:  Rihanna & Chris Brown at Lakers Game  Body Language of Dominance, "Ownership",  Narcissism and Submission

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2142: Mitt Romney's face wipe by stranger - Preening as a signal of Affection

This video highlights Joseph Melluso, the owner of "The Tin Fish" restaurant in Port St. Lucie, Florida, wiping republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's face multiple times. No doubt because he was the owner of the building, he felt a "temporary supervisorial" or "shepherding-like role" for this man who may be the U.S. President in less than a month - and this contributed to this nonverbal behavior. However, when one preens another - particularly in such a public scenario - this is also a body language signal consistent with feelings of affection. This is not to suggest that the two have any relationship or aspire to - but wiping, cleaning, picking at the remnants of a napkin/lint (seen during 1:01 - 1:03, 1:10 - 1:12, 1:15), straightening a tie, or smoothing out wrinkles in clothing, etc. - all examples of preening behavior - are signals of affection. It is common to have affection/false affection and similar feelings for those who we see images in the media. Note how Mitt pulls away and reflexively pats Melluso's arm during 0:21 - 0:22. This same patting action, performed at the end (and sometimes at the beginning or throughout) of a hug, lets the other person know that it's time for the hug to end. Joe Melluso obviously likes the candidate and will, of course, be voting for him. 

Jeanne Moos mentions that the secret service officer didn't raise an eyebrow - however his right eyebrow is certainly raised in a nonverbal signal of incredulity/disbelief at 1:48. 

Should you witness versions of such body language preening behavior at the office (or anywhere else) - even with significantly subtler examples, it's a strong signal that the emotion of affection is being felt.

See also:

Nonverbal Analysis # 2107: Andy Murray, Affection and Savoring the Moment 

Nonverbal Analysis # 2108: Rihanna's and Chris Brown's Kiss and Hug - What were they REALLY feeling? 

Nonverbal Analysis # 1911: Preening as a Signal of Affection-Attraction - Dina & Clint Eastwood 

Nonverbal Analysis # 1808: Time Magazine's Breast Feeding Story, Dr. William Sears and the Attachment Parenting Controversy - Cover Shows Emotional Dissonance at Best

Nonverbal Analysis # 1423: Head First Affection & Head Surrogate Hugs

Nonverbal Analysis # 771: Ann's & Mitt's Affectionate Hug

Nonverbal Analysis # 1921: Who was More Dominant - Tom Cruise or Katie Holmes?

Nonverbal Analysis # 2: Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley Strongly Predictive of an Impending Break-up in Near Future

Nonverbal Analysis # 33: Who is the Dominant Partner - Blake Lively or Penn Badgley?

Nonverbal Analysis # 2110: Pizza Guy - Scott Van Duzer's Bear-Hug Lift Encounter with President Obama - Staged or Real?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2058: DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's "False Contempt" The Importance of "Norming"

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz is seen in this video clip on "Face the Nation". Upon initial observation, with her obvious bias to speak out the right side of her mouth in a significantly asymmetrical fashion, one may conclude Ms. Wasserman Schultz's is exhibiting a nonverbal of contempt. However, after reviewing multiple videos of the Congresswoman from Florida taken over many months, in different settings - as well as with both friendly and adversarial subject matter, it becomes obvious that such asymmetry is for her - normal. This is certainly not to imply that she doesn't experience or display contempt - yet this emotion and its body language manifestations are is more difficult to interpret on the Chairwoman because of what for her is a normal baseline behavior.

See also:

Analysis # 1163: The Importance of "Norming" in the Evaluation of Body Language

Analysis # 2035: Mitt Romney's Body Language Amplifier - (it works on the rest of us too) 

Analysis # 1879: Aung San Suu Kyi in Thailand - Suppressed Smile

Analysis # 2062: Mitt Romney in London Speaking out the Side of His Mouth - Anxiety/Insincerity or Worse

Analysis # 1907: Governor Rick Scott tells a Lie 

Analysis # 1889: Vladimir Putin & Barack Obama at the G-20

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

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2039: Fight Outside Florida Courtroom - Jaw Jut Prior to Violence

Today in an Osceola County Florida Courthouse, a fight broke out. A short segment of the altercation was repeated multiple times in the above video. The man in the red shirt (goatee with white towel around his neck) displayed two examples of what is known as a "Jaw Jut" - where the jaw (mandible) thrusts forward. The first is at about 0:09.5 seconds and is more difficult to see because his face is somewhat oblique to the camera. The next time he juts his jaw is at about 0:12 seconds and is much easier to visualize because he's closer and is seen in-profile. There is also an extreme tightening of the masseter muscles of the lower face/sides of his jaw. It is a signal of extreme anger and if it is observed, an very high percentage of the time, violence ensues a second or two later. Thus it commonly occurs during and just prior to violence. If you're observant and see the jaw jut, this knowledge will give you time to prepare and protect yourself - hopefully avoiding serious bodily harm.

See also:

Analysis # 757: Asma al-Assad's mild Jaw Jut

Analysis # 315: Jaw Jut - Heightened Potential for Violence

Analysis # 273: Anger and Disgust in Azerbaijan

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1907: Governor Rick Scott tells a Lie

In the third segment of this video montage (0:53 - 1:09), Florida Governor Rick Scott tells a lie. Note during the 1:03 - 1:04 clip, he rubs his right eye with his right hand/forefinger (aka index finger). In the context of answering a question or, as is shown here, when making a point-in-fact statement, rubbing one eye is a body language signal highly consistent with anxiety and particularly deception (a bilateral eye rub indicates something completely different). He also very noticeably stutters. Obviously, as Governor Scott was joking about comparisons between Florida and Texas, the result of such a lie are insignificant - except that they will act as "norming" signs (individual baseline behavior) for those who study your nonverbals/ do business with/married to, etc. 

The ease at which one can pull off a "relatively convincing" lie is proportional to the risks of getting caught (Ekman). If it is difficult for a person to deceive others with a falsehood of such minor ramifications, then it is also accurate to conclude he/she is a "bad liar" and lies with greater consequences would be easier to detect.

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 1032: Romney, Rapport and Handshakes

Everyone should want to build rapport during a handshake. One essential component of such a influencing handshake, is having the palms and fingers oriented vertically (perpendicular to floor). Much too often, the person who is perceived as more alpha orients their hand on top - in a dominance display. Although there are occasions for this, they are relatively uncommon to rare. If you're trying to win votes, you want people to perceive you as "one of them" - as an equal. Thus this hand orientation is particularly important. Of course, this nonverbal is also just as instrumental if you're a sales person, CEO, attorney, physician, clergy or in any other non-elected position of leadership. In this image Mitt Romney shakes hands with supporters in Jacksonville, just prior to winning the 2012 Florida Primary.

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