Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3449: Natalie Portman's Hands - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In the above video, Natalie Portman demonstrates a common nonverbal gesture - and yet one rarely described. In body language parlance, this is but one of many examples of what is known an "illustrator" - for they serve to illustrate, emphasize and add description and flavor to verbal language.

In this interview, Natalie is recounting her research of, and preparation for a rendition of "Iko Iko" with Sia, Jimmy and The Roots. During the segment from 1:07 to 1:12  as Ms. Portman says, "... Yeah - it said something that it was like Creole, like the king being [Fallon over-talking] - a Mardi Gras, yeah, Creole ...", her hands move in an elevated, open palm, moderate-to-high frequency, moderate-to-high amplitude gesture. When interpreted in toto (particularly with Natalie's facial expression), this nonverbal is a "Kinda-Sorta-Maybe" gesture illustrating a "Nebulous quality" and a "Searching for the Correct Description" to that which is being discussed.

In this particular example, Natalie Portman's body language is highly congruous with her verbal language (as well as her paralanguage) - thus her sincerity quotient is very high. However this gesture is often used when the verbal language is (when simply taken at face value) decisive and definitive - yet in such a scenario, if you know what nonverbal signals to look for - you'll pick up on the insincerity. Often times our subconscious detects this disparity and leaves us with a feeling of ill-at-ease or "something's not quite right here" emotion.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3448: Ted Cruz's Challenge to Debate Donald Trump One-on-One; Cruz's Default Facial Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3443: Donald Trump - "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and Shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any Voters!"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3439: Ted Cruz and the Lateral Lip Purse

Dating & Romance Body Language Secret No. 2020: The Art of Looking Flirtatious

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2929: Jessica Alba, Sin City 2, Action Figures and the Jaw Confessional 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 2759: Vladimir Putin, Annexation of Crimea and Mouth Asymmetry 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3435: US Sailor captain Apologizes to Iran 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3446: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3275: Carly Fiorina, The Republican Debate and Likability (or not) – Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Carly Fiorina has climbed in the polls and Donald Trump has fallen. According to Rasmussen the former HP CEO has increased her share of the polling pie to 9%. She is clustered with Governor Scott Walker who's also poling at 9% - and just behind Governor Jeb Bush and Senator Marco Rubio who are both at 10%. Donald Trump has slipped significantly to 17%.

Yet from a body language perspective, Ms. Fiorina is far from where she needs to be. Although there are several mistakes exampled in this short video segment, one very common one seen here is a complete lack of the use of her arms and hands.

In nonverbal parlance many of hand and arm gestures are examples of what are termed "illustrators" - for they emphasize, highlight and add flavor to our verbal language. And while illustrators certainly may be displayed too frequently, too dramatically, overly aggressively (hyper-alpha displays such as Mr. Trump) or not congruently with the simultaneous-clustered paralanguage and verbal messages - using them minimally or not at all, will almost always project a lower confidence and diminished assertiveness.

What many people don't realize is that lack of/low illustrator use results in other over-compensatory behaviors (How is Carly overcompensating here?).

Also, when hands are hiding behind, blocked by or resting too long on a lectern (or below a table, a witness stand barrier, etc.) human beings will subconsciously assign less trustworthiness to the speaker. Simply put, if we cannot see your hands we tend to think you're less honest.

Quality and nuanced hand and arm illustrators will also send signals of likability and improve rapport (as well as decrease unfavorables and increase her favorables). These behaviors must never be or look as if they're forced or cliché in nature - lest the audience will feel the insincerity and such acting will backfire. By improving her nonverbal skills, Ms. Fiorina will further leverage her verbal prowess and climb higher in the polls. If so, come November 2016, we could very well have two women running for the White House. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3274: Chris Christie, Rand Paul, The Republican Debate and National Security

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2016: Hillary Clinton, Roosevelt Island, Building Rapport and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3060: Bradley Cooper, Air Guitar, Neil Young & the R2E2 Expression 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2818: The Caring Hand, Palms Up and Building Rapport

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2977: Raven-Symoné: "I'm Tired of Being Labeled" - Interview with Oprah

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2952: Kmart's "Not a Christmas Commercial" - No Place for Arrogance
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2281: Inaugural Luncheon Anxiety Barack Obama's Body Language Michelle's Mirroring

The above video captures a few moments during the speech President Obama made at the Inaugural Luncheon earlier this week. During this speech, Barack Obama, who normally is a very relaxed and confident speaker, uncharacteristically displayed several body language signals of discomfort, lower confidence and anxiety. 

Note very early in the speech the President scratches above his right ear. This MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) is a general and reliable signal of anxiety. Touching the ear or just below the ear (not seen in this example) while also an anxiety sign, can indicate other additional thought-emotions. It is interesting to note that Michelle also simultaneous scratches the same area. This mirroring shows that Barack and the First Lady are very "in sync" emotionally. 

Also early on, Mr. Obama's left hand then goes in his side pocket for several seconds before he retracts it. While some falsely interpret this body language as a signal of relaxation - it's not. Along with anxiety, it also is an indicator of non-engagement and a lack of desire to speak.

Barack also stands with his feet relatively close together at the lectern. Feet in this position is indicative of lower confidence, low comfort and beta emotional tones. He (and other alpha personalities) typically stands with his feet a shoulder's width apart - which both engenders and indicates higher levels of comfort and confidence.

In addition, relative to his typical speech, the President uses very few hand/arm illustrators here (what in common parlance are called gestures). This relative lack of illustrators, particularly given his norm, is a strong indicator of anxiety and low comfort (and counter-intuitive given that he just was re-inaugurated). He grips the sides of the lectern platform a lot. And while this is not an awful nonverbal to emulate, and is certainly much better than hands that stay in pockets or below the lectern platform - it should not be overused. John Kennedy popularized this lectern gripping 50 years ago - but he did so primarily because he had a longstanding and painful back injury.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2276: Michelle Obama's Eye Roll .... What was she thinking? and What Did Boehner's & Barack's Body Language Say? 

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 831: Santorum's Hands and the Alpha-Beta Hybrid

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2074: Mitt Romney and Senator Kelly Ayotte - What Body Language Tells?

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1143: Santorum Video Analysis  R2E2 and other Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2155: Body Language Tells at the Second Presidential Debate  Mitt Romney at Attention &  President Obama's Disapproval-Subtle Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2152: Second Presidential Debate - 16 October 2012 -  Barack Obama's Duping Delight - Benghazi, Libya Attack was an "Act of Terror" -  Alpha, Beta, Confidence & Acquiescence ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1869: One Body Language Signal a President Should Never Display

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 801:  Mirroring Down Under - Barack Obama & Julia Gillard

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2184: President Obama - "I'm Open to Compromise ..." But What Does His Body Language Say?

As the "Fiscal Cliff" approaches, President Obama gave his first post-election speech today in the East Room of the White House in which he spoke of the budget, taxes, deficit reduction - AND his strong desire to bring both parties together and arrive at a solution that has so far proven elusive. But was he sincere?  In the CNN video above President Obama says, ".... I want to be clear; I'm not wedded to every detail of my plan. I'm open to compromise. I'm open to new ideas ... (1:41 - 1:50)." Note specifically during the 1:48 - 1:50 segment, Mr. Obama's hands gesture widely (shoulders width apart) together with an up-and-down motion - in one example of what in body language nomenclature is known as an "Illustrator". Moreover it signals openness. This particular nonverbal is highly congruent with his spoken words - and thus is a strong indicator of the President's high sincerity quotient in this message. If at this particular juncture his hands were held close together - or if they were closed in fist-like configurations, one would have to doubt his word. The President's body language is highly consistent with his verbal message. He is being honest.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1915: Mitt Romney's Response to Supreme Court's Decision on "Obamacare"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2046:  Romney, Sincerity, Truth and Bain Capital

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2078:  Mitt Romney's Taxes and Harry Reid's Accusations

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2150: Body Language Advice for President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

Even Mitt Romney believes President Obama is a great speaker. Why didn't this translate into success in the first debate two weeks ago? The answer is multifaceted - but a good bit of it comes down to bad body language. In tonight's debate - in a town-hall format - Mr. Obama's and Mr. Romney's nonverbals will be even more important. 

What many don't realize, is that not only does your body language indicate your emotional mindset, but adopting, maintaining, and/or changing your own nonverbal displays in many and nuanced contexts - will also changes your emotions, the fluidity by which you speak and will even affect your word choice.

Here are dozen body language debate pointers for both Presidential Candidates:

1. Stand with your feet slightly less than a shoulder's width apart. There's not a photo in existence of John Wayne standing with his feet together. This stance projects, builds and maintains confidence.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 337: Michelle Barchmann's Low Confidence Stance

2. Stand with your feet flat on the floor. Barack Obama was standing on one foot (with opposite leg crossed in back of the other) during part of the last debate. This is Bad Body Language in this context. It sends messages of non-engagement and aloofness.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2137: Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama - First Presidential Debate - Barack's Bad Body Language

3. When an audience member or Candy Crowley (tonight's debate moderator) addresses you, turn and point your whole body towards them. Your feet, navel, torso, face and eyes - all should be pointing directly at them. This shows to everyone that you respect them and believe that whatever they are saying is worth listening to - and everyone watching will for a moment "inject" themselves into the shoes of the audience member who is asking the question. This is an absolute must for developing rapport, building bridges - and getting votes. This whole-body pointing should be down-regulated significantly when answering their questions because of course then you're speaking to the entire country.

Note: In everyday conversations, you should turn your feet and body about 20 to 30 degrees after 5 to 10 seconds once you've greeted them. Maintaining the "whole-body pointing posture" during one-on-one conversations is too confrontational. In the setting of a debate, primarily because of the audience-speaker context and greater distances between the audience and the candidates, pointing your whole body toward the audience member while they are asking the question is an absolute must. Failure to do this will cost you votes.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis  No. 1859: Prince William is Angry at the Queen's Jubilee
 

4. President Obama in particular - don't look down when the Mitt Romney is speaking. This gives the feel to the audience that you are being lectured to - or being reprimanded. Perhaps for a second or to if a lectern/podium is being used to write some notes, but look at the audience (primarily) or the other candidate (shorter glances and do not turn your whole body toward your opponent).

5. Hand and arm gestures (illustrators) should be used congruently with speech. President Obama - during the last debate your elbows were much too close to the sides of your torso during your illustrators. Such a configuration is low-energy, demure and beta. Of course you don't want to be overly dramatic with arm gestures either - proportion and context are paramount. 

Mitt Romney - whoever is coaching you must have been reading my blog - for I'm the only expert who's been critiquing you heavily in this issue. You did much better with you hand/arm gestures during the first debate than you ever have before. Big improvement.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1915: Mitt Romney's Response to Supreme Court's Decision on "Obamacare" (Affordable Care Act)

6. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CONDITION, PUT YOUR HANDS IN YOU POCKETS. This is a tremendous signal of non-engagement and emotional dissonance. Don't be aloof - be engaged in the moment. Depending on the other nonverbal signals present, hands in pockets may even signal that you are being deceptive, intimidated by your opponents or fearful.

Nonverbal Communications Analysis No. 2074: Mitt Romney and Senator Kelly Ayotte - What Body Language Tells?

7. NEVER TOUCH YOUR HEAD - PARTICULARLY YOUR FACE - OR NECK. These facial MAPs (Manipulators, Adaptors or Pacifiers) are (subconsciously) interpreted by nearly all who watch (even those 99.99% who have no formal body language training) as an ANXIETY SIGNAL. People don't necessary take note of every time another person touches their face - but they are left with a general feeling of unease. When you get a feeling that you can't trust someone (even though they may have said all the right things) - very often they just displayed this type of MAP/Body Language.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2047: Barack Obama does not Believe

8. Avoid Contempt and disgust displays. You may solidify some of your base - but you'll lose many more of the undecided votes. If you need a primer here - watch either of your counterparts during the Vice Presidential debate. They both displayed contempt in spades. Contempt and disgust will alienate. They are rapport destroyers.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2146: Biden vs. Ryan Vice Presidential Debates - Both Candidates Displayed Body Language of Contempt

9. Smile with your eyes. Even children can detect a false smile. Smiling with your eyes first will bring your mouth along for the ride. Most otherwise accomplished and socially skilled people (including both presidential candidates) can't differentiate a sincere smile vs. a good social smile. Nor can you produce either type on demand when you really need to do so.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1010: What Makes the Twinkle in Rashida Jones' Eyes?

10. Don't over-use your forehead expressions. Over-use of the forehead muscles (particularly the central forehead contraction - aka CFC) is a primary indicator of insincerity. All but your hard-core base voters will read this as feigned sincerity. Few things are more repelling than smug insincerity. This is particularly true when a CFC is seen together with even a slight mouth smile.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2124: This Body Language-Facial Display Should always make you think "Insincere"

11. Avoid using the conventional steeple. Most politicians over-use the conventional steeple - thus sending signals of arrogance and condescension. It's a primary example of using excessive alpha signals. If someone uses too much conventional steeple (which is, in an absolute sense, not very much) - run, don't walk away from them. Despite what they may say, you are a pawn in their game.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1503: The Conventional Steeple vs. The Basketball Steeple - Seeking a Balance

12. Hopefully you've slept for at least the past two or three nights. Barack Obama's primary problem in the last debate may very well have stemmed from lack of sleep. He repeatedly displayed several signals consistent with being tired. Many a skilled speaker, or surgeon, or attorney, or sales person have suffered from this fundamental.

Good luck gentlemen. May the best man win.

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1915: Mitt Romney's Response to Supreme Court's Decision on "Obamacare"

In response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision upholding most of "Obamacare", Mitt Romney's words and voice sounded more fluid and sincere during his speech today. His body language could use some improvement though. It's difficult to imagine what speech coach is advising him not to use his hands. He should use them. Known in the nonverbal communication world as "Illustrators" - these gestures, properly used, afford us an opportunity to increase our sincerity quotient (something all politicians sorely need), develop rapport and increase the recall of what we say in our audience's memories. Mitt Romney did not use his hands once as illustrators during this important speech - only to turn some pages on his notes.

Care should be taken not to confuse Illustrators with MAPs (Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers).

Although the facial expressions and the upper body may act as illustrators as well, the hands and arms play a primary roll. These hand/arm gestures act to emphasize, underline and illustrate speech/words/tone/cadence, etc. By not using our hands, we make it more difficult for our speech - not just to sound more fluid and sincere, but to literally be more flowing and truthful. Allowing the hands to work with our speech will physiologically affect the brain in a positive way - and thus the words we speak and how they sound.

Obviously one can over-use hand gestures and care must be taken to avoid this. In general hands should not be lifted above the shoulders or more than three or four inches lateral to the shoulders. Hands should never be placed in the pockets. There should also be a "harmony" with the spoken word. Moving the Hands/arms in a haphazard fashion will destroy rapport and detract from the verbal message. It's useful to think a bit like an orchestra conductor - but less dramatic in speed and movement. 

Another reason to use ones hands (and avoid putting them in our pockets) during a speech or lecture - is because we tend not to trust people when we cannot see their hands. From the view on this video, it's not clear if Romney had his hands in his pockets - but he tends to do so. At the very best it sends signals of emotional dissonance - as if to say, "... I kind of want to be here, but part of me doesn't ...."

For this same reason, many politicians have begun to use lecterns made of Plexiglas or ones which have a thin central support beam. These give greater "transparency" of the speaker both literally and metaphorically. Indeed if a person suddenly stops using illustrators, and then begins using them - this sends up a red flag as to the truthfulness of their statements/answers they made/gave during the gesture hiatus.

See also:

Analysis # 913: Low Confidence, Low Trust & Demure

Analysis # 831: Santorum's Hands & the Alpha-Beta Hybrid

Analysis # 903: Plexiglass Lectern - the more I See of You

With regards to his paralanguage, Mr. Romney should avoid the lip smacking that he has of late made a habit. It can be heard throughout this speech.

The former Massachusetts Governor should also make an effort to relax his forehead during his speeches and even during dialog. Overuse (contraction) of the central forehead is extremely common among politicians and many in the public eye. While casual observers may believe it looks as if they're always concerned - overusing the central forehead contraction, especially in conjunction with a smile (even a slight smile) - transmits insincerity (or worse) and should be strongly avoided.

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1897: George Zimmerman's Reenactment of Trayvon Martin Shooting

Yesterday, a video of George Zimmerman's description (to police) of the Trayvon Martin shooting was released. The above is a portion of that video via CNN.

Although throughout much of the first portion of this video we can see little or none of George Zimmerman's face, many body language cues can be ascertained through watching his hands. Zimmerman's hands are in moving in conjunction with his story/version of the facts. Note that at several times he often used the universal nonverbal signal of an extended thumb and pinky (fifth digit) with flexed/contracted second, third and fourth digits to signal a phone call/his conversation with the police non-emergency dispatcher. Zimmerman's hands also move very congruently with his description of Trayvon Martin's movement. 

At no time during this video does he touch his face. Self-touching (Manipulators, Adaptors or Pacifiers aka MAPs) - particularly facial touching would be expected throughout this video if Zimmerman were lying or had a significantly increased level of anxiety. The fact that there are no visible MAPs strongly suggests Zimmerman's relative (but not complete, see below) lack of anxiety and high level of confidence and comfort. People who are telling the truth naturally have confidence.

Zimmerman's rate of blinking is relatively high in this video - which is consistent with some increased anxiety. Famously many U.S. Presidential candidates, who are telling the truth during debates have increased blink rates. Because blinking varies from person to person a fair amount, it is important to compare moments before and after the time being questioned (and during non-stressful periods) to determine if there is a true increase. 

From a nonverbal communication standpoint this Video demonstrates a very high degree of sincerity (sincerity quotient) and truthfulness from George Zimmerman.

See also:

Analysis # 1697: George Zimmerman in Shackles - How does this Alter His Body Language, Testimony and Our Perception?

Analysis # 1548:  Trayvon Martin's Death - George Zimmerman's First Courtroom Appearance

Analysis # 1491: Barack Obama on Trayvon Martin - "If I Had a Son, He'd Look Like Trayvon"

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Nonverbal Analysis # 1836: Boston Ousts Philly and the Origin of the "High Five"

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett give each other a "High Five" in last night's game as Brandon Bass looks on. The Boston Celtics went on to beat the Philadelphia 76ers in the seventh game of the series to advance to the Eastern conference finals against the Miami Heat. The origin of the "High Five" nonverbal dates back to the final game of the regular season in 1977 when Los Angeles Dodger Dusty Baker hit his 30th home run off of Houston's J.R. Richard. His team mate, Glenn Burke ran up to congratulate him and lifted his hand high in the air. Baker did the same with his and met Burke's in a slap - and the high five was born. Most, but not all, body language in which the arms & hands are lifted high, particularly suddenly - are signals positive emotions.

See also:

Body Language at the FIFA World Cup - Fiero After Accomplishment

Secret # 1511: Hands Held High, Fiero & Oosthuizen - An Albatross at the Masters

Fiero after Accomplishment

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