Body Language Analysis No. 3951: Angela Merkel, Donald Trump, the G7 Summit, and The Paris Agreement - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

This image (and the close up below) of Donald Trump and Angela Merkel was taken at the recent G7 Summit in Taormina, Sicily, Italy.

Angela Merkel's expression is very much worth nuancing. Note that her central forehead is contracted and elevated along with her inner (medial) eyebrows. There is also significant tension of her lower eyelids. From a nonverbal perspective, when an Elevated Central Forehead Contraction (Elevated CFC) occurs - it's of profound significance. However, the CFC must always be correlated with "what the rest of the face is doing" - particularly the mouth.

We can see that, simultaneously, Merkel's jaw is "hanging open" - in what is often colloquially referred to as a "Slack Jaw". Notice too, that it's not widely open as it is displayed during sincere surprise, rather only mild-to-moderately so.

It's also important to point out that none of her teeth are visible.

Another detail which correlates with the sincerity of this moment (and the "Slackness" of the jaw) is that her jaw (mandible) is retracted backward (posteriorly). This gives the appearance of a (momentary) over-bite (less noticeable, however, because no teeth are visible). The value of this subtle yet significant finding cannot be overstated when assessing sincerity and emotional shock.

This is the face of emotional shock and emotional processing. Chancellor Merkel is feeling a form of grief and emotional pain. She's having difficulty wrapping her logical-rational mind around her emotions in her response to what Trump is telling her.

Summary: Angela Merkel is bewildered and astonished at what Donald Trump is saying to her. This is not political posturing - rather her emotions are sincere.

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3950: Donald Trump, Angela Merkel, and Donald Tusk at the G7

Body Language Analysis No. 3948: The Manchester Bomber, Nonverbal Communication, Threat Assessment, and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 3946: Melania Swats Away Donald Trump's Hand as They Arrive in Israel

Body Language Analysis No. 3944: Dwayne Johnson, The 2020 Presidential Election, and The Rock Dialing Up His Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3928: Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3922: Vladimir Putin and Michael Flynn in Moscow

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3885: Vogue's 73 Questions with Selena Gomez

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3862: Oscars Mistake - "La La Land" erroneously named Best Picture over "Moonlight"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3808: Felicity Jones' Sincere Smile

Body Language Analysis No. 3949: Donald Trump Shoves Montenegro's PM Dusko Markovic at NATO HQ



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3843: 84 Lumber Super Bowl Ad - "The Entire Journey" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Of all the Super Bowl ads this year, the most watched was 84 Lumber's 90 second one titled, "The Journey Begins". At its end, the viewers are directed to a longer version (above) named, "The Entire Journey" (nearly six minutes) via a company website, Journey84.com. Initially, this sight crashed from the extreme volume of those interested in seeing its conclusion.

The mother and daughter who travel far, mostly on foot, much of it through desert wilderness, end up coming to an immense wall - which of course, is implied to be Donald Trump's proposed wall along the US-Mexican border.

Of course, the mother and the daughter are actors - and yet, particularly with the actor portraying the mother, her performance is so strong that she suspends our disbelief - and we for a moment think-feel-believe we're watching a documentary.

From a nonverbal perspective, what to many was the most emotionally evocative moment, was when the mother, taken by surprise, looks up and first sees the wall. We feel crestfallen when we, like her daughter, see her face. The reason for felt this way was her particular facial expression.

In short, what jumps out at us is the combination of her forehead-eyes and her mouth. The elevated central forehead (in the context of simultaneous "sad mouth") is what Charles Darwin called "The Grief Muscle". Along with the forehead, the central (medial) eyebrows are drawn upward. Note the specific subtleties coexisting with her mouth expression - its corners down-turned and the lips full and forwardly vectored. In addition her nostrils are also flared. Indeed, she looks morose - as if she is about to cry and never stop.

When most people (yet intriguingly not everyone) see this expression, it evokes a very strong mirroring effect both on our faces and in our psyches. We feel her sadness, sometimes relatively deeply and suddenly - even if we don't know her or the source of her pain (Her daughter looks up to her and exhibits this exact behavior). This phenomenon is observed whether the cause of the pain is emotional or physical.

SUMMARY: This actors expression strongly engenders empathy in others. Very rapidly, "Their journey becomes our journey". We all can be distracted or preoccupied - however in those individuals who consistently do not feel empathy for others when they see this particular facial expression, will tend to have lower empathy quotients (over-all, a lower life time empathy potential and practice).

Media Inquiries and Keynote Appearances 

One-on-One and Online Courses Available 

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

702-239-8503

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3842: Bill Belichick and Julian Edelman 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3840: Donald Trump regarding Vladimir Putin: 'We've Got A Lot of Killers. Do You Think Our Country Is So Innocent?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3838: Kellyanne Conway's Statement Regarding the "Bowling Green Massacre"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3835: Beauty and the Beast – Official Final Trailer

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2816: Secretary of State Nominee Rex Tillerson

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3799: Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia - Full Lips and Lip Pursing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2297: Rooney Mara on Conan O'Brien - Common Body Language Tell - Fear Apology Query Expression-Cluster

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010: Rashida Jones - What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3634: Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, the Democratic National Convention, Emails and Body Language (PHOTOS)

At the end of the Democratic Convention later this week, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz will resign as chair of the DNC. This morning at the breakfast meeting for the Florida delegates she was heavily booed. The image above was captured during that meeting.

Although we can't see her mouth, from a nonverbal perspective, we know Ms. Wasserman-Schultz is feeling deep sadness. She knows she's made a big mistake - as the contents of her and others' emails at the DNC are being "submitted to a candid world" via WikiLeaks.

When emotional pain or physical pain is significant (either for oneself or for others via empathy), the central forehead is contracted and elevated (elevated CFC). Charles Darwin was the first to describe this in the scientific literature, nicknaming it "The Grief Muscle".

Note also the considerable contraction and tension of Rep. Wasserman-Schultz's lower eyelids. Along with this, her entire eyebrows (as a unit) are lowered - simultaneous with the elevation of the inner (medial) portions of her eyebrows.

In addition the muscles on the upper "bridge" of the nose and between the eyelids are also contracted.

Ms. Wasserman-Schultz is NOT covering her mouth and nose to prevent others from seeing her tears. The reason we configure our hands in this manner during times of such pain is a epiphenomenon of emotional processing. The logical brain knows what is transpiring - but the emotional brain has not yet fully grasped what is happened.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3633: David Duke's Duplicity & The US Senate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3409: Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Reaction to Bernie Sander's Criticism of the DNC

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3595: LeBron James, Disbelief and Emotional Processing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3485: Chris Christie's Facial Expressions standing behind Donald Trump - Bad Body Language on Super Tuesday

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3333: Did Bill Clinton ask Donald Trump to Run for President? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3614: Daniel Radcliffe, Imperium and a Subtle Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3568: Hillary Clinton, (Low) Likability, Rapport (Destroying) and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3625: Donald Trump Introduces Mike Pence as his "1st Choice" VP Pick (Not!)


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3403: "Johnnie Walker - Dear Brother" Commercial - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Many will find this brilliant commercial for Johnnie Walker Scotch Whiskey (directed by Dorian Lebherz and Daniel Titz) to evoke childhood memories, sadness and even tears. Some believe it will win a Clio.

One particularly poignant moment is captured below (1:08) on one brother's face (actor Robin Guiver) - just before the twist of the plot is revealed.

From a body language perspective, Mr. Guiver hits the mark very well in this moment. During times of particular sadness - either for oneself - or for another person, group, animal (and even fictional characters) - the central forehead musculature will become contracted and elevated. Darwin even gave this muscle (frontalis [pars medialis]) the colloquial term, "The Grief Muscle".

Notice also that Guiver's eyebrows are simultaneously lowered.

It's also crucial to always pay attention to the configuration of the mouth - for unlike the acted scenario of this short film, very often an elevated central forehead contraction (E-CFC or CFC) will also be seen with the rest of the face not reflective of either emotional or physical pain (particularly the mouth). And when we see chronic CFC action outside of the context of emotional or physical pain (including empathic sources) - there is almost always co-existing chronic insincerity.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3402: UFC 194: Conor McGregor and José Aldo - Octagon Post Fight Interview - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3035: John Wall, Miyah Telemaque-Nelson - and Grief, Empathy & Emotional Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2403: Central Forehead Contraction - The Grief Muscle,  Eyes Wide Open, False Mastication & Oklahoma Tornado Survivors

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3396: President Obama's Oval Office Address - Dialing up The Alpha - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3386: Lady Steals from KID! Black Friday 2015 - Body Language of Assault

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3374: Paris Attack Suspect Named - Salah Abdeslam - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3375: Donald Trump Questions Ben Carson's Stabbing Story 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3358: Hillary Clinton on Stephen Colbert - We Let the Banks Fail Next Time - Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2824: Michael Jace ("The Shield" Actor) Arrested for Alleged Murder of His Wife - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Michael Jace, best known for his role as detective Julien Lowe on the television show "The Shield" was arrested today for the alleged murder of his wife, April Jace. According to several news sources, Jace has confessed to shooting her.

In the above image Mr. Jace is handcuffed. His central forehead is contracted and elevated - thus also elevating his inner eyebrows. Whenever significant sincere emotional or physical pain is felt - whether being experienced directly or secondarily for another person(s) or animal via empathy - the central forehead contracts. However - in these scenarios the body language of the mouth should ALWAYS take on a congruent expression - one of sadness, pain, fear, etc. - or combinations thereof. Michael Jace's mouth is configured in an expression of sadness.

The police officer's eyebrows are not elevated - rather they are pulled downward and inwards (towards each other). And although it is difficult to see in this low resolution image, his eyelids are partially closed and tightened. The officer's jaw (mandible) is pushed forward in a "Jaw Jut". The mouth's right corner is pulled up in a very specific expression many confuse with a type of smile - yet it indicates regret. His lips are dramatically thinned. This nonverbal cluster indicates a primary emotion of anger and a secondary one of regret.

See also:

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

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 No. 2512:  Matthew Cordle's YouTube Confession  and the Death of Vincent Canzani  "I Killed a Man" - What His Body Language Tells Us ...  It's NOT what you think!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2441:  Paula Deen's Apology - What Does Her Body Language Say?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2371:  Barack Obama & Anger in the Rose Garden -  POTUS's Body Language & the Gun Laws 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2742: Vladimir Putin on the Crisis Ukraine - Thin Slicing Levels of Anger - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2823: Kendall Jenner, 5 Seconds of Summer & One Direction at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards - Anxiety Tells



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2403: Central Forehead Contraction - The Grief Muscle, Eyes Wide Open, False Mastication & Oklahoma Tornado Survivors

My deep condolences to those who lost loved-ones today in the Moore, Oklahoma Tornado.

Jennifer and Todd Tabor are two survivors of Monday's powerful storm which took a very similar path as the 1999 Tornado (which had the highest wind speed in history ever measured on Earth at 318 mph/512 kph). At the time of this post, there have been at least 51 fatalities and hundreds of injuries.

In the video above during the 1:14 - 1:21 segment, the couple displays several telling body language signals during this time of extreme stress:

Note that Todd's eye lids are opened wider than normal. This is a nonverbal signal that he is feeling fear (What other emotions are consistent with eyes that are widely opened?). He can also be seen moving his jaw in a chewing motion. This false mastication (or false chewing) is a common finding in high anxiety scenarios (sometimes seen with anger). Mr. Tabor displays this repeatedly and is very easily visualized in the dynamics of the video.

Jennifer Tabor's central forehead is contracted (CFC) and together with her frown (which is even superimposed over her speech) constitute a common expression of grief. The central forehead is actively contracted during times of physical or emotional pain - either felt directly or secondarily via empathy for other people or animals. In these contexts the CFC should always be accompanied by a congruent mouth expression (never with even a momentary trace of a smile).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2084:  Lolo Jones's False Mastication/Jaw Clenching

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1522:  False Mastication in Court - Alicia DeBolt and  Adam Longoria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1876:  Noomi Rapace's Anxiety & False Mastication

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2238:  Sandy Hook Elementary Teacher Lauren Rousseau's  Boyfriend's Body Language - Grief & Suppression of Negative Emotions & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2229:  President Obama and a Body Language Signal of  Holding Back Grief, Tears & other Negative Emotions

Relationship Secret # 33:  Grief and Affection in Japan

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2274:  The Eyes & Mouth of Fear - Body Language of Ahmed Dogan during Attempted Assassination

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