Body Language Analysis No. 4002: Justin Trudeau Meets His Namesake - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In this image below and accompanying video, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is holding two-month-old Justin-Trudeau Adam Bilal. His parents, Afraa Hajj Hammoud and her husband Mohammed Belal are Syrian refugees. They named their son as a tribute to Trudeau.

"For me he is wonderful and compassionate," said Mr. Belal - "I hope all leaders, whether Easterners or Westerners would be like him."

Many smiles are not sincere - but rather various forms social smiles. But in the image below, the child's mother - Afraa Hajj Hammoud - is displaying all the components of a Sincere Smile (Duchenne Smile):

• Relaxed (uncontracted) forehead
• Partially closed eyelids
• Temporary concave-up furrows in each lower eyelid
• Upward vectored cheek muscles
• Only upper teeth visible 

Yet there is another display here which adds to the emotional richness of this moment. Notice Afraa Hajj Hammoud's head and neck are tilted. In the context of a sincere smile - simultaneously tilting of the head represents a sincerity amplifier.


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Photo Credit: Adam Scotti


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4001: Jodie Whittaker, Dr. Who, and Flirting from a TARDIS

Body Language Analysis No. 3999: Donald Trump Jr., A Russian Lawyer, and Another Person in the Room

Body Language Analysis No. 3997: Donald Trump Jr., Natalia Veselnitskaya, and a Microexpression

Body Language Analysis No. 3995: Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, and the G20 Group Photo

Body Language Analysis No. 3993: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and subordinate Behavior

Body Language Analysis No. 3986: Anthony Kennedy, The Supreme Court, and Predicting Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 3983: Female Kurdish sniper fighting IS narrowly cheats death

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3909: North Korea's Parade - Projecting Power and Control



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3856: "Belle" Clip - Beauty and the Beast - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In this latest trailer of Beauty and the Beast, Emma Watson who stars as the lead protagonist "Belle" - sings a song by the same name.

There goes the baker with his tray, like always,
The same old bread and rolls to sell,
Ev'ry morning just the same,
Since the morning that we came,
To this poor provincial town.

From the perspective of body language, in this moment (captured in the image above during the 0:10 as she sings "... always ..."), Watson's character Belle is projecting a particular impishly playful expression. When a suppressed mouth smile accompanies a unilateral, elevated eyebrow - it indicates and projects mischievousness and often flirtation.

A head tilt - elevated on the same side as the elevated eyebrow - acts to amplify this emotion message.

Whenever you see such a face, take heed - for your Emotional Intelligence should immediately tell you that this person is thinking-feeling in a "deliberately naughty" manner - and you can bet there's a clandestine plan in the works (although it's not always "Rated G").

Media Inquiries and Keynote Appearances 

One-on-One and Online Courses Available 

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

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See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3855: Mike Pence regarding Donald Trump and Michael Flynn at NATO Headquarters

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3853: Tom Hiddleston, a School Play and Eddie Redmayne

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3851: Donald Trump's Impromptu Press Conference - "Russia is a Ruse"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3819: Turkey's Parliament, Presidential Powers and Constitutional Amendments

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3798: Elle Fanning, Channing Tatum and Dialing Up the Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3782: Zoey Deutch, Ryan Seacrest and Embarrassment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3760: Rory McIlroy's "Little Interviews"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3688: Vladimir Putin, Phone calls, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3303: Gorilla watching pics of other gorillas on Man's Phone at Zoo - Body Orientation, Personal Space and Emotional Comfort (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This is a very intriguing and entertaining video uploaded to YouTube two days ago. In it we can see a man at the Louisville Zoo showing pictures of other gorillas to a live gorilla (Jelani). It would have been better, of course, to have seen the initial encounter between man and ape and how it progressed. And although this is a cross-species interaction, we can certainly glean some valuable nonverbal lessons very applicable in human-to-human communication.

Initially (at least with respect to this edited video) Jelani keeps his body oriented roughly perpendicular to the man showing him the pics.

If we had been there and seen this encounter a few moments earlier, their faces, torsos, hips and probably even their feet - would have most likely been more parallel (pointing more directly at each other - roughly mirror images).

As the Jelani's emotional comfort increases, he orients his body in a more relaxed manner - getting closer (further into the man's personals space [intimate space] and oriented perpendicular to the man).

As his emotional comfort increase still further, Jelani leans his torso as well as his head-neck unit towards the man. The man of course is doing the same thing - they are mirroring each other. Again, who initiated this? - It would be valuable to know. With respect to human behavior, this touching of the heads and shoulders (of course this is not quite occurring here because of the thick glass) during similar moments will amplify any rapport already established (thus it's one example of what is known as a "Rapport Amplifier").

It's of profound importance that at least some modestly significant level of rapport must have existed prior to this moment - otherwise if one person attempts such nonverbal behavior it will be interpreted as a form of aggression or at the very least "false intimacy" (asymmetrical intimacy) by most everyone (and certainly animals).

Head-neck tilting (particularly toward each other during a shared experience) indicates a level of friendly, emotional-vulnerability (e.g., "I'm don't feel threatened by you.", "I trust you", "I feel comfortable with you", "I'm letting you into my world."). And while the thick glass certainly facilitates feelings of safety and protection for both primates, such head-neck tilting towards another never occurs when a person/animal feels threatened.

If you watch Jelani's left hand/arm, he appears to gesture several times. Some people have interpreted this movement (including a woman heard describing this to another onlooker) as a signal for the man to advance to the next photo. This may indeed be true, however we would need to see a longer duration sample (with a better view) as well as other examples of Jelani's behavior to be sure.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3302: Hillary Clinton, the Recent MSNBC Interview, Low Likability and Diminished Trustworthiness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3159: "When a Silverback attacks" - Gorillas, Cross-species Body Language, False Distancing, Fear and Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3245: Gov. Scott Walker Jumps into the 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language Amplifiers and Misdirection 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2341:  Angela Bassett Interview -  Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression  R2E2, Body Language & "Olympus has Fallen"

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2508: Anne Frank, Sincere Smiles and Emotional Comfort 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2276:  Michelle Obama's Eye Roll .... What was she thinking? and  What Did Boehner's & Barack's Body Language Say? 

 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3167: Bruce Jenner's 20/20 Interview, Part II - Confidence, Vulnerability and Sincerity - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Part II nonverbal analysis of Bruce Jenner's 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer - some highlights of the above video segment are discussed below.

During 0:17 - 0:19, 0:23 - 0:24 and 0:28 and 0:30 Bruce Jenner displays examples of the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle (SRHW).

A self-righteous head wiggle can be very short-lived (e.g. a microexpression or near-microexpression) - yet also may last several seconds. This nonverbal has a significant tendency to occur in clusters. It's comprised of a rapid side-to-side movement of the head & neck - which is high in frequency and typically has mild-to-moderate amplitude (amount of movement).

A SRHW is displayed by a person in the midst of an alpha mindset - with strong opinions who is highly confident. They may often be so self-assured that may consider them smug. They see themselves as a relative alpha or authority figure - at least during those moments.

The self-righteous head wiggle must be viewed in the dynamic context of a video. The primary movement is a side-to-side wiggle - however sometimes there is an additional backwards component or a forward vectoring. Contempt, disgust or incredulity body language often is seen with the backwards movement - while arrogance and condescending nonverbal signals may accompany the forward motion (which is often seen with smaller audiences and even in one-on-one scenarios. Very often there is an increase in vocal frequency (pitch) as well as volume and rate of speech with the self-righteous head wiggle. Similar analog nonverbal movements may also be seen with the torso, jaw or the entire body.



This particular loose and relatively relaxed hand illustrator is known as the "Spiral Staircase" because of the configuration of the fingers. It's one of many "Alpha-Beta Hybrids" - wherein it's not too aggressive (e.g., some nonverbal behavior can send signals of arrogance and patronizing emotional mindsets - thus destroying rapport) - yet it's not too demure, submissive or weak. Alpha-beta hybrids are profoundly valuable body language tools (yet very underutilized) and are extremely helpful in sales, interviews, the courtroom and in negotiations - for they dance skillfully within the nuance of the middle ground (where most people stumble).

At the very end of this video clip, Bruce Jenner's head and neck tilts (in relation to his already-angled torso). This tilting is a signal of sincere vulnerability (e.g., I'm letting you see the "real me", inside my heart, inside my thoughts. I'm sharing a personal side of me). Unless there is a physical injury, disease, etc. - when the torso is leaning to one side and/or the neck and head tilts in a similar manner - this dynamic body language configuration is indicative of sincerity-vulnerability.

In summary - in this video segment Bruce Jenner displays nonverbal signals indicating self-righteousness, confidence and sincere-vulnerability.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3165: Bruce Jenner's 20/20 Interview, Part I - Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3075: Franklin Graham (Billy Graham's son) Blasts Duke University for Muslim "Call to Prayer"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2506:  Barack Obama, the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and  Retaliation Against Syrian Poison Gas Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3048: Vladimir Putin's Press Conference, 18 December 2014, Economic Instability and Low Emotional Comfort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2508: Anne Frank, Sincere Smiles and Emotional Comfort 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2975: Devon Still & Daughter Leah - A Body Language of Affection and ... (PHOTO)

Devon Still, a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, is shown here with his daughter Leah Sari. In June 2014, Leah was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma (cancer).

A strong body language signal of affection is a leaning toward and touching of heads. This can occur during a hug or other contact such as a lateral leaning with a picture pose or during cuddling. Parents who hug/make contact with their children with routine head tilts and head touches have higher degrees of affection and empathy compared those parents who do not commonly tilt and/or touch heads during hugs/contact.

The distinction of affection and its relationship to love is imperative. For those for whom we have sincere affection, we always have love - yet not all for whom we love do we have affection.

God bless you Leah. Stay strong and heal quickly.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2974: André Benjamin on Playing Jimi Hendrix - Body Language of Embarrassment - David Letterman

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2972: Rachel Respess, Destrehan High School Teacher Arrested and Smiling Incongruent with Emotional Context

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2701: Cuddling, Romance, Affection and Foot-Shunning - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2847: Eric Cantor, Concession Speeches and Low Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2768: Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin - and the VERY UNconscious Uncoupling foretelling their Conscious Uncoupling

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2901: Sadie doesn't want her brother to grow up - Body Language of Sincere Affection 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2649: How a Kiss can Change the World - Body Language of Affection 

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2741: Lupita Nyong'o Wins an Oscar - Signal of high sincerity and empathy (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Lupita Nyong'o won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as "Patsy" in "Twelve Years a Slave". The gifted actress gave a very heart-felt and sincere speech (see below). In the image above with the Oscar raised above her head Ms. Nyong'o tilts her head down and towards her elevated arm. This moment has high value when assessing several key personality traits. 

Note the components of Ms. Nyong'o's classic sincere (Duchenne) smile. Lupita's bottom teeth are only visible because of her downward head tilt and an elevated camera angle. In addition to having a relaxed, non-contracted forehead, her cheeks are elevated and her eyelids are partially closed. Both of her lower eyelids are configured in dynamic, concave-up furrows which are required with a true smile of joy-happiness.

This head-tilting towards the elevated arm in celebration is a nonverbal indicative of both high sincerity and an elevated empathy quotient - and it is amplified with the presence of Lupita's sincere smile.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2314:  Naomi Watts Pre-Oscar Interview and her  Body Language of the "Jaw Confessional" and the Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2698: Lupita Nyong'o on Jimmy Fallon - an Underused Body Language Display

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2740: Matthew McConaughey Tells Us What He REALLY THINKS about the Motion Picture Academy - Body Language, Ear Screws and Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2709: Philip Seymour Hoffman - Can You Tell When an Oscar Winning Actor is Lying? Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2315:  Daniel Day-Lewis Wins His 3rd Oscar -  Even the Best Actors will  "Leak" Their True Feelings via Body Language ...  Here via a Microexpression of Fear 






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Body Language Analysis No. 2678: French President François Hollande, Valerie Trierweiler and Julie Gayet - Of Affairs, Affection and Nonverbal Tells (PHOTOS)

It has been recently reported that French President François Hollande is having an affair with actress Julie Gayet. Hollande's longtime partner Valerie Trierweiler has been hospitalized - which some have attributed to stress associated with this news.

In this image, Trierweiler is kissing Hollande - yet he is not reciprocating.
How many signals of affection disparity do you see here?

The most obvious one is the lack of lip pucker consistent with a kiss of mutual affection. Perhaps François Hollande's lips are just caught off guard? Hmmm.

What about the lack of Hollande's head or neck tilt? Valerie Trierweiler's head is tilted and rotated toward her partner. However the French President's head is straight up and only slightly turned. Tilting of head and necks in the midst of a kiss are affection amplifiers. Moreover Valerie's entire body is leaning into the kiss. In distinction François is not leaning toward his partner.

Another very important nonverbal sign of lack of affection are Hollande's open eyes. A kiss that is being anywhere near fully experienced requires eyelid closure.

French President François Hollande is not engaged in this kiss. His body language is not affectionate nor is it sincere. His mind is elsewhere. And so is his heart.

Here, Julie Gayet is pictured with Hollande in late 2011. What body language signs do you see here?

Media Inquiries and Group Appearances 

One-on-One and Online Courses Available 

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

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See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2649: How a Kiss can Change the World - Body Language of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2502:  A Body Language Sign of True Love & Affection - A Father Reunited with Young Son Who He Believed died in Syria Poison Gas Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2643: Is this Hug More Sexual or Affectionate? Student Suspended One Year for Hugging a Teacher

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2677: Jay Carney's Beard - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2663: Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy Engaged - A Body Language Sign of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2203:  A Body Language Metric of Intimacy and Affection -  How Do YOU cuddle?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2468: Princess Kate, Prince William & a New Baby Boy - Body Language, Rapport & Saving Face (Video, Photo)

The World got a glimpse of the U.K.'s Royal Baby today. Princess Catherine and Prince William carried forth their new born son and very possible future King from St. Mary's Hospital in London for the rest of us to see. When a reporter asked a question (inaudible but very possibly regarding the newborn's name), William responded with feigned laughter and then said, "Wait and see means wait and see". In between his fake funny and his spoken words, the Prince tilts his head to his right (slightly away from the questioner), configures his mouth in what is a mild fear configuration and inhales through closed and mildly clenched teeth while making a slight hissing sound.

This is a type of "low level fear" expression indicates that someone (either the speaker or the listener) has just crossed over a line of acceptable behavior or an outcome has occurred which may have some unpleasant/unwanted ramifications. It is not a full-on fear expression by any means. If it had been even a mild nonverbal signal for true fear, the neck would never have been tilted to one side, the eyes would be opened wider than baseline (here they are partially closed) and the corners of the mouth would be pulled tighter laterally with an added downward vector.

This nonverbal indicates a subconscious desire to "save face" - either for oneself or the other person while still communicating that a faux pas has been committed or a bad outcome has been obtained. This nonverbal expression engenders rapport and William certainly uses it to his advantage here.

Though it is not the case here, this head tilt, low level fear expression may be seen coexistent with a Rationalization, Rapport, Empathy Expression (R2E2) and in such a setting it signifies an asking of permission and empathy.

What other very telling body language did the royal couple display in this short video?

Blessings to a Mother, Father and a beautiful new life.

See also:

Body Language Secret # 702:  Blake Lively's Mouth of Fear, trying to Smile and  Forehead of Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2159:  Tom Hanks drops the F-bomb on GMA - Body Language of Fear, Surprise, MAPs and a Bitter Smile

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2261:  Mom pulls Python off of her 2 year old daughter -  Body Language & Microexpression of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2264:  Kate Middleton's First Portrait as Duchess of Cambridge  Captures Body Language of Contempt, Disapproval and Fatigue

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 392:  Christmas Cheer - Kate Middleton's and Prince William's Suppressed Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Intelligence Quiz # 2118:  Princess Kate's Subtle Emotions - What do YOU see?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2348:  Prince William, Alpha Personalities & Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1859:  The Prince is Angry at the Queen's Jubilee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2341:  Angela Bassett Interview -  Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression  R2E2, Body Language & "Olympus has Fallen"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2193:  Keira Knightley interview re: "Anna Karenina" -  Body Language of "R2E2" Facial Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2178:  Little Girl Tells Pippa Middleton, "I Hate Princesses"  Pippa's Body Language of Contempt ...

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2301: The State of the Union, Lenny Skutnik and a Body Language Signal of Being Proud

   
Lenny Skutnik was working at a $14,000 a year job back in on 13 January 1982 and car-pooling it home when Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River. After watching one of the survivors lose grip of a make-shift rescue line from a park helicopter (not designed for rescue), Lenny jumped into the icy waters and saved Priscilla Tirado's life. Less than two weeks later he was sitting next to Nancy Reagan at The State of the Union address. President Reagan pointed him out for the World to see - which is encapsulated in the video above. Thereafter many presidents have invited other heroes and drew attention to them in a similar manner. These people are often referred to as "Lenny Skutniks". What follows is some interesting body language of Skutnik's wife, Linda.

Here Linda Skutnik's chin is wrinkling as the mentalis muscle contracts. This change commonly occurs prior to crying or in an effort to fight back tears.







Here, Linda Skutnik is tilting her head & neck backwards. Together with the wrinkling of her chin and tightened jaw muscles tell us that her jaw is also jutting outwards. Most commonly a "Jaw Jut" indicates anger and even aggression - yet when coupled with other nonverbal signals, it has a completely different meaning (much as words do in a written or spoken sentences). 


In the nonverbal cluster-context shown in this second image, Linda's facial expression indicates pride in her husband and his actions.

The jaw is typically closed and often clenched in this "Jaw Jut" configuration as well - but her the tilting of her head that gives an additional appearance of protrusion.

The video below is a short documentary featuring Lenny Skutnik and others - and their heroic efforts rescuing of the survivors from the Air Florida Flight 90 crash on 13 January 1982 in the Potomac River.

See also:

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

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

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 757:  Asma's Mild Jaw Jut

Negotiation Secret # 47:  Pete Carroll's Jaw Jut and Mid-face Tightening

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2247:  Barack Obama's Body Language on Meet the Press  "That was the worst day of my Presidency"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2138:  President Obama's Anger-Frustration During Debate -  An Under-Appreciated Body Language Signal

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1060:  Belichick's Anger

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2129: Barack Obama's Body Language, Misspeaks "Export More Jobs" Displays Incredulity and .....

In Kent, Ohio yesterday, President Obama misspoke then made a quick recovery. After saying he wanted to "...export more jobs ...." he then quickly said, ".... export more products ....", then ".... I was channeling my opponent ...." He couldn't believe his own verbal misstep - displaying a classic body language configuration of incredulity - a briefly elevated (right) eyebrow and contracted and elevated (right) forehead as well as a tilting of the head/neck to the same side (0:20 and 0:21). This nonverbal of disbelief was repeated later when he recalled the statement of Mitt Romney (Obama quoting Romney, "... let's let Detroit go bankrupt ...") regarding the difficulty, risk and wisdom of bailing out the auto industry - and in the actions of his own administration (0:45 - 0:49, 0:50 - 0:51).

One signal of disbelief that is bilateral and also seen here is the extended blink. Closing the eyelids of both eyes for prolonged periods (just a few tenths of a second longer than normal) is an example of emotional processing. The emotions are trying to adjust to what just occurred while simultaneously wishing the mistake away.

Intriguingly these looks of disbelief are displayed on the right side of President Obama's face, head and neck. Although Obama is left handed, he displays here (and has in the past) significant signals of ambidexterity. When it comes to facial nonverbals of an asymmetrical nature (such as incredulity and contempt) most everyone tends to bias to one side - and although most of the time it's the same as their dominant hand use, there are exceptions. This is one example.

Here in this video, with the ability to pause and replay an event, body language signals such as this are significantly easier to see and contrast against a verbal message. In day-to-day life, "pause and replay" opportunities are very rare and thus nonverbal warning signs go unseen and under appreciated by the vast majority of people - even the very educated and experienced.

President Obama did commit one nonverbal sign that was consistent with less than complete sincerity. Can you spot it?

See also:

Analysis # 1696: George Zimmerman's Testimony - Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Analysis # 1600: Senator Marco Rubio - Sincerity, Self-directed Incredulity & Humor, Blocking and Appeals for the Vice Presidency

Analysis # 67: Incredulous Cluster

Analysis # 1910: Natasha Smith Sexually Assaulted in Tahrir Square - Post Assault Interview

Analysis # 2124: This Body Language-Facial Display Should always make you think "Insincere"

Analysis # 1531: Hillary Clinton Describing the Osama Bin Laden Navy SEAL Raid at the U.S. Naval Academy, 10 April 2012

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1822: President Obama's Stand on Same-Sex Marriage - Is he Sincere?

Ten days ago, during an interview with ABC's Good Morning America's Robin Roberts, U.S. President Barack Obama made an open declaration in support of same-sex marriage. Is he sincere? - Or is the President using this issue as a political tool during an election year? The vast majority of people answer this question based on their political bias. If this was another issue, and this were another man/woman - and you were sitting across the table from him during a crucial negotiation, could you tell if he was bluffing? If you were a defense attorney, and your client (the defendant) was gay, and you were selecting a jury (voir dire) - would you pick him to serve on the jury? What OBJECTIVITY TOOLS do you have at your disposal? 

Body language is a tool to enhance your objectivity when, as human beings, we are all inherently biased.

What does the President's head position tell you in this video?

What about the direction of his eye movements?

Did his forehead contractions suggest sincerity or insincerity?

What did his rate of blinking tell you?

Are his hand gestures (illustrators) consistent with deception or truth?

What MAPs (Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers) did you spot?

What does the President's foot/leg position tell you?

If you were the President's body language/speech coach, what would you advise him to change in this video if he had a "do-over"?

Do you allow your personal biases to color your judgment as to guilt vs. innocence, sincerity vs. insincerity or truth vs. deception? OF COURSE YOU DO. The question is what are you doing to become more objective?

Fifty-five to Eighty percent of all direct human communication is Nonverbal. If you're not skilled in both the nuance of interpretation body language - as well as how you present yourself, moment to moment, in context - then you're placing yourself at a massive disadvantage. It's as if you would put ear plugs in - and pretend that you're listening.

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

Jamie Lynn Gromet is shown here with her son of almost four years on the cover of the current issue of Time Magazine. The cover story is about "Attachment Parenting" which among other principles advocates "co-sleeping", breast feeding children to a greater age than many are accustomed, feeding with love and respect, responding with sensitivity, providing constant loving care and using a nurturing touch.

Clearly this particular photograph was chosen for its shock value in an effort to increase readership - but the body language in this image is not consistent with the principles of attachment parenting. Ms. Gromet is displaying significant emotional dissonance - e.g. "I'm doing this because I HAVE to ...", "I'M the alpha, is that CLEAR?", "What's YOUR problem?", etc. Her son is also significantly non-affectionate.

While her left hand has good palmar touch to her child's back - certainly a signal of some affection, Ms. Gromet's right hand is akimboed in a thumbs-backward fashion on her hip. Particularly in this context, this overly-strong alpha nonverbal does not engender boding with children (or adults) - on the contrary, it is a rapport and bonding destroyer. It will not calm a child - it will not even create feelings of tolerance. This arm/hand gesture will raise the respiration and heart rate of children and promote anxiety. A thumb-forward akimbo transmits completely different emotions - that of trust and fostering emotions and in some contexts quizzical. Thumb-forward akimbo is therefore very commonly seen in teachers and parents on the playground.

See also: Secret # 33: Thumbs Forward Arms Akimbo

The lack of any arm-hand contact by the little boy is also conspicuous. It is distancing and off-putting. It makes us feel uncomfortable. Any parent-child bond (or any loving relationship) should be reciprocated - not because it is cognitively driven - but because it is emotional.

See also:

Secret # 2: Blake Lively & Penn Badgley - Hugs as a measure of Affection - Impending Break-up

Secret # 771: Ann's & Mitt's Affectionate Hug

Secret # 105: Parental Affection and Love

Another strong signal of affection is tilting of one's head - leaning towards the one we love. This is true at any age, between parent and child ... or between lovers. No head/neck tilting here. Hmmm...

See also: Secret # 1500: Leaning in, Head Touching and the Manubrium - Kyra and Kevin are 10th cousins, once removed

Jamie Gromet should also be wearing a face of peace and joy. Not only do we not see any evidence of a sincere smile - or even a social smile - but incredibly, she has a subtle display of contempt! Why?

See also:

Secret # 101: Contempt Doesn't Sell

Analysis # 1696: George Zimmerman's Testimony - Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Analysis # 1407: Auboni-Champion Morin - Reunited with Son after 8 years - Microexpression of Contempt

When there is true affection and/or respect, an embrace is marked by a pointing of the feet, the hips, the shoulders and the face towards each other. In this example, the two are turned askew. This body language is also significantly less consistent of sincere affection.

See also: Secret # 39: Affectionate vs. Non-Affectionate Hug

Whether a mother practices or is familiar with attachment parenting or not, affection should be natural between any loving parent and child. Dr.William Sears and his followers place extra emphasis on this premise - thus it is inconsistent that both mother and child here are not looking at each other, but the camera instead. Eye contact promotes and is symptomatic of bonding, affection, love, good parenting and nurturing (friendship and romance as well). Where is the eye contact? There is none.

See also: Secret # 335: What does "Eye Contact" really mean?

Any nurturing, loving or bonding here, is not about us - it's about THEM. Time magazine makes Ms. Gromet looks task-oriented and bitter - rather than a young mother driven by love, affection and the maternal bond. Consequently a loving act is made to look perfunctory and cold. Where is the warmth?

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Romance, Marriage and Dating - Body Language Secret # 771: Ann's and Mitt's Affectionate Hug

Mitt and Ann Romney are shown here just after the former Massachusetts Governor's narrow victory in the Iowa Caucuses last night. One signal of a truly affectionate hug is beautifully exemplified here (particularly by Ann Romney) in the head-to-head, neck-to-head and head to chest/shoulder touching. Surface area contact between these areas are directly proportional to the level of affection felt in that moment. Mitt is leaning forward, which is certainly affectionate in this context - however if his head were tilted to his right (towards Ann) - it would be an even stronger emotional display. A twist to this nonverbal in this particular setting though - is that a neck tilt often sends vulnerability signals. Thus although there are exceptions, it is unusual for politicians and other leaders to tilt their heads when in public. Mitt is also in the midst of mental multitasking, ergo his emotions and thoughts are more divided, while Ann is more focused in the moment.

Additionally, eyelid closure during an embrace is strongly correlated with sincere affection. Those who hug with open eyelids are either lacking in affection or emotionally/mentally distracted. When hugs between lovers begin to lack the head, neck, upper chest contact described above or show diminishing eyelid closure - the love is waning.

See also:  Flirting & Romance Secret # 2: Hugs as a Measure of Affection and Impending Break-up

See also:  Flirting & Romance Secret # 39: Affectionate vs. Non-Affectionate Hugs
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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 703: Putin Pulling his Puppet

This photo is for anyone who doubts who is the real puppet master. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is very obviously angry at his President Dmitry Medvedev - but let's dissect this photo. Always the alpha dog, Putin is red-faced. The Russian President's distended veins (most obviously on his left temple) indicate an (unconscious) valsalva maneuver. Both of these nonverbal signs are consistent with a momentary increase in blood pressure and decreased venous return - ergo in this context, anger. Additionally, his head is tilted down, while his eyebrows are pulled together and lowered - all body language cues for anger. Another indication of this emotion is Vladimir's mid-face tightening - particularly to the sides of his nose, and also (although it's difficult to tell from this angle) nostril dilation. Finally Mr. Putin's jaw is jutting forward. Put all these signals together and they constitute a body language "Cluster" of anger. If we were in this meeting - we'd love to know what he was saying - but we wouldn't really have to, because we'd know what he was feeling.

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Negotiation Secret #315: Somalia Suffering plus corruption

This Somali Woman is displaying several different Emotions. Her primary one is disgust. This is evidenced by her central facial tightening and in particular the flaring/dilation of her nostrils (Something that doesn't come as easily in the desert country of Somalia. It can lead to drying of the nasal passages, throat and thus even can contribute to dehydration.).

Her head is not turned, but her eyes are gazing to her left. This is a signal that she doesn't like, doesn't trust or doesn't believe the person(s) at who(m) she is looking. These emotions, of course, certainly have some overlap with the that of disgust.

She has her head tilted slightly to her right - away from the object of her disgust. This is often seen with disbelief, disgust and dislike.

Her slightly down-turned mouth is, of course, an emotional display of sadness.

The forehead she displays combined with the slightly closed eyelids (inner portion of the obicularis oculi) indicates mild-moderate anger (think Clint Eastwood). There is very possibly a grief-distress component mixed-in with her forehead muscle contracture.

I would summarize her emotions at approximately 50% Disgust, 30% Anger, 10% Sadness along with 10% incredulousness. This is a relatively complex photo to analyze from a body language standpoint - however very illustrative of the real world in which we live. Often more than one emotion is felt and therefor displayed at any one time.

The story behind this photo is very telling. Apparently some soldiers were trying to take food from the relief efforts and some of those who tried to prevent this were shot and killed. I can certainly understand all of her Disgust/Anger/Sadness/Incredulousness when I think about her situation and what she has witnessed. My heart goes out to her and those suffering with her.

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