Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3739: Hillary Clinton's Statement regarding FBI Probe - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday Hillary Clinton made a statement addressing FBI Director James Comey's recent decision to notify Congress regarding the bureau's review of emails which are potentially related to her personal server.

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of Secretary Clinton during her statement and the subsequent Q &A.

When a person reads a speech, prepared remarks, a script, etc., - they tend to be of lower confidence and of lower emotional comfort. This behavior is very common (even with experienced speakers) and is particularly true when the words are written by another person(s) rather than by the person who's reading them. An extremely common body language phenomenon accompanying such scenarios is standing with one's feet close together.

When she's reading her statement (which was no doubt prepared by others), Hillary Clinton's feet are indeed closer together. However after she finishes reading and prepares to take questions, Secretary Clinton then readjusts her feet - moving them further apart (0:56 -1:00 and more so during 1:08 - 1:10). Although we cannot see this directly, we can see her head and shoulders move lower - (this is not be confused with the separate and also significant nonverbal superimposed actions of the relaxing of her shoulders, arms, hands and face).

Please watch the video to appreciate this relatively subtle yet nonverbally profound dynamic.

The fact that Secretary Clinton moved her feet apart (along with her other relaxing displays) when it was time to answer questions is significant. This switching to a higher confidence stance - as well as her more relaxed torso, arms and face when she went into 'an unscripted mode' strongly suggests that she believes she is innocent of any new wrong-doing.

In distinction, a person who believes they are guilty may 'say all the right things' - however their feet will stay close together (e.g., 'at attention') - and other body language and facial expressions would also grow even more tense once they 'moved off script'.

 See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3738: Gary Johnson Loses His Temper

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3734: SNL's spoof on the 3rd Presidential Debate - and 3 Insincerity Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3724: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Emotional Intelligence and a Profoundly Telling Body Language Signal 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3705: Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump Presidential Debate - Trump: I'm 'smart' for paying no taxes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3697: NYC Bombing Suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami in Custody - Body Language, Threat Assessment and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3670: Paul LePage's Voicemail Rant

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3508: Batman V Superman - Sad Affleck? (NOT!)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3619: Lone Protester, Baton Rouge Police and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2470: NYC Mayoral Candidate Anthony Weiner & His Wife Huma Abedin - Body Language Tells, Part II


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3673: Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin separate after Sexting Scandal - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

After Anthony Weiner's third sexting scandal, Huma Abedin announced today the couple is separating. Weiner is a former seven term U.S. congressman and has sought multiple mayoral candidacies of New York City. Ms. Abedin is vice chairwoman of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign for President and has also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Hillary Clinton during her term as U.S. Secretary of State.

The image above and the close up below were taken on the red carpet at the 2016 New York City Metropolitan Ball.

From a body language perspective, we can see Anthony Weiner standing with his arms and hands in a "Fig Leaf" configuration. This is sometimes referred to as "Genital Guarding". While there are certainly occasions when a person should use this arm-hand nonverbal signal - such as when standing next to high level clergy, during a wedding or funeral ceremony, when next to a person of high power (particularly when next to them on stage, TV, etc.) - and in these settings it projects deference and respect. Yet in the vast majority of settings the fig leaf should be avoided. Here it sends strong signals of low confidence and low emotional comfort (contrast Weiner's low-energy, beta stance with the high-energy, alpha body language of the police officer in the background).

When we evaluate Mr. Weiner's facial nonverbals, we can see can see strong signals of emotional dissonance. His mouth is forming a "Blocked Inward Lip Roll". An inward lip roll is a common facial signal seen when the subconscious is trying to suppress strong emotions from growing further. It's also used to avoid a more full outward expression from crescendoing. Here the typical inward lip roll cannot be fully formed because of Weiner's jaw clenching. His tighten jaw muscles can be easily seen and is further highlighted by the dimpling on his chin. Note also the extreme tension of his "mustache area" as well as his dramatic flaring of his nostrils. There is also significant tension of his lower eyelids.

Conclusion: Anthony Weiner displays significant emotional dissonance. His face projects anger and frustration while his fig leaf hand position is an attempt to very literally cover up what he has otherwise inadvertently made very public. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3672: Jessica Alba, Swass, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3668: Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and The Brexit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3648: Hillary Clinton, “I may have short-circuited”

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3636: Donald Trump, Hillary's Emails, Putin and Russia

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3594: Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Fareed Zakaria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3561: Catchphrase, Andy Samberg, Bryce Harper, Gigi Hadid and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3534: Taylor Swift's (Vogue's) Rapid-fire 73 Q & A Session

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3380: Adele at the BBC, When Adele was disguised as Jenny


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2475: Anthony Weiner & Huma Abedin Part IV More Sexting Will Surface (Video, Photos)

Anthony Weiner still has more sexting which will surface. The following analysis of the New York City Mayoral Candidate's press conference last week demonstrates this clearly with both his body language and his paralanguage.

Beginning at the 8:32 mark when asked, "When was the last solicitous text message?" Mr. Weiner replies, "Um, I can't sa..., I can't say exactly. Um sometime last summer I think." This reply is loaded full with paralanguage clues indicative of deception.

The following three photos encapsulate the nonverbal components of this ill-at-ease moment. We all collectively wince for Huma in these next few seconds.

This image taken at the 8:36 mark demonstrates Anthony Weiner displaying an aborted "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR). An inward lip roll indicates the psyche's attempt to suppress a significant emotion - usually (and here) it's a negative one. The mouth simultaneously displays components of regret. In addition Mr. Weiner's central forehead is contracted (CFC) indicating a significant level of emotional pain (although in other contexts it is telling for other emotions).

In the photo above and slightly more prominently in the image immediately below (taken at 8:41), Huma Abedin's eye lids are open wider than her normal baseline, in a subtle yet very significant display of fear. Particular in the second photo she is saying with her facial expression, "Please, please, please don't let there be more!"

Asymmetry in the mouth should always be suspect for insincerity. Some people routinely speak out of one side of their mouth and this is their baseline normal (although not the case here). Can you name another interpretation of an asymmetrical mouth during speech?


Weiner's wave-off of last summer's sexting is an effort to temporally distance himself from the event (e.g. "Jeez folks, that was forever ago!" or "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!").

In this last image (captured at 8:43), Anthony Weiner again displays a very brief (slightly longer than a microexpression) signal of regret mixed with a component of anger.

In summary, Mr. Weiner has not come clean regarding all of his sexting. There is more to come. He gave ample nonverbal and paralanguage evidence in these few seconds of very telling video. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2405:  Anthony Weiner's Running For Mayor of New York - His Body Language & His Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2469:  Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin and the NYC Mayoral Race  Body Language & the Five Burroughs, Part I

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2470:  NYC Mayoral Candidate Anthony Weiner &  His Wife Huma Abedin - Body Language Tells, Part II

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2473:  Anthony Weiner & Huma Abedin Part III  When Shoulder-to-Shoulder is broken

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2473: Anthony Weiner & Huma Abedin Part III When Shoulder-to-Shoulder is broken (Video, Photos)

In this third critique regarding New York City Mayoral Candidate, Anthony Weiner's 23 July 2013 press conference, the importance of interpersonal space and body orientation are of particular focus.

Throughout much of this video Huma Abedin did not face the audience - rather she faced her candidate-husband almost as if they were in the midst of an intimate marital discussion. Sometimes her body was oblique and sometimes it was pointed at him perpendicularly. There were even occasions when her body faced her husband and she rotated her neck/head and looked 180 degrees away from the audience. These particular moments were especially revealing.

A few moments later in this press conference, during much of the time when Huma was speaking, Anthony also did not look at the audience but turned his body obliquely towards his wife and gazed at her notes. He thus projected the persona of a patronizing and controlling husband. This feeling was loud and clear to everyone watching - particularly women voters.

The former congressman's arms, which for some time were folded across his chest, transmitted a defensive and closed-off mindset. This body language cluster is a rapport and vote destroyer.

In the context of a this press conference, relative to the audience (whether viewed via video, T.V. or to those present in the room) - Weiner and Abedin can be thought of as essentially one person. This would be true if Huma were Anthony's campaign manager or any of his staff, however it is especially true since they are husband and wife - and were addressing problems which had & have substantial ramifications on their marriage and his viability as a candidate.

In this moment, Huma Abedin is oblique towards her husband-candidate, Anthony Weiner when she should be facing the audience.

Here Huma has moved closer to perpendicular to Anthony, thus giving the audience the "cold shoulder".

There were several occasions when Huma looked completely away from the audience. These moments were particularly reveling.

As Huma reads her prepared statement, the two stand closer than they do at any other time during the conference - although his body position here is done for the wrong purpose. His body should be "shoulder-to-shoulder" with her. Such a nonverbal would have projected a strong solidarity. In contrast, here he appears as a controlling spouse and a puppet master - rather than a loving and trusting husband. This nonverbal cluster does not project Mayoral strength or supportive feelings.

In summary, both Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner should have stood in a "united front" and closer together than typical colleagues would (for they are husband and wife). A shoulder-to-shoulder configuration (with shoulders almost touching) with their hands at their sides or loosely grasped behind their backs with their eyes on the audience would have been much more consistent with strong leadership and a strong marriage.
 
In the political world the concept of "Likability" is too often left to chance and "winging it". Likability is the single most important factor in winning over the middle one-third of the electorate. And the single most important factor in determining likability is the quality and warmth of a candidate's body language. The same holds true for the courtroom, the boardroom and the sales floor .... How likable are you?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2470:  NYC Mayoral Candidate Anthony Weiner &  His Wife Huma Abedin - Body Language Tells, Part II

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2469:  Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin and the NYC Mayoral Race  Body Language & the Five Burroughs, Part I

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2405:  Anthony Weiner's Running For Mayor of New York  His Body Language & His Sincerity Quotient

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

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 337:  Michele Bachmann's Low Confidence Stance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2137:  Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama - First Presidential Debate - Barack's Bad Body Language 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2146:  Biden vs. Ryan Vice Presidential Debates -  Both Candidates Displayed Body Language of Contempt

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2470: NYC Mayoral Candidate Anthony Weiner & His Wife Huma Abedin - Body Language Tells, Part II (Video, Photos)

Anthony Weiner's press conference given earlier this week, in which he addressed additional "sexting" incidences which occurred after his resignation from U.S. Congress in 2011. At the 0:48 mark, the New York City Mayoral candidate begins, "...While some of the things that were posted today are true and some are not, there is no question that what I did was wrong. This behavior is behind me. I've apologized to my wife, Huma and I'm grateful he has - she has worked through these issues with me and that I have her forgiveness..."

Just after he says, "... This behavior is behind me ..." (0:57 - 0:58), Huma Abedin displays an evanescent and subtle and partial near-microexpression (slightly longer in duration) of fear. This is characterized by a very brief tightening and lateral movement of the left corner of her mouth and cheek muscles along with a brief contraction and subsequent "tenting-up" of her neck muscles (sternocleidomastoid and platysma).

Ms. Abedin clearly has real fear that, the behavior in question is not limited to her husband's past.

It is a huge mistake when any apology is made to read from a script. Regardless of whether a teleprompter or paper is used, the act of reading always engenders a tone-of-voice and nonverbal displays that are not humble or heart-felt. However if the apology is genuine, and a person speaks with no script or memorization, their vocal quality and body language will naturally take on a sincere quality. Indeed, Mr. Weiner sounds and looks at times like a schoolmarm - as if he is admonishing someone else's bad behavior. Reading a script is nearly always an anathema to sincerity. Your goal is NOT to connect to your audience's intellect. In any apology, to any group of people, if you don't appeal and connect to their emotions' - you will fundamentally fail. The Nonverbal qualities that are visible to all during a sincere apology will build bridges like no script ever could. Crisis Management 101.

Close up of Huma Abedin at 0:58 with neck muscle tightening and contraction of her left mouth corner and adjacent muscles of her left cheek.

This must be viewed in the dynamic context of the video to be fully appreciated.






See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2469:  Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin and the NYC Mayoral Race  Body Language & the Five Burroughs, Part I

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2338:  Why Does Keit Pentus-Rosimannus feel Fear?  Body Language of Estonia's Minister of Environment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2402:  Partial & Subtle Expressions of Fear -  Young Girls Saved From Drowning by Man & his Dog

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2269:  Travis Tygart's (Chief Executive of U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) Body Language re: Lance Armstrong Doping on  "60 Minutes Sports" Interview

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2306:  George W. Bush trapped in Room - Body Language's Microexpression of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2344:  Jillian Michaels Body Language Neck of Fear & Mouth of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2316:  Jennifer Lawrence's Response to Her Oscar Stumble -  Silver Linings Body Language

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2469: Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin and the NYC Mayoral Race Body Language & the Five Burroughs, Part I (Video, Photo)

Yesterday New York City Mayoral Candidate Anthony Weiner and his wife Huma Abedin gave a press conference. Ms. Abedin said among other things that she loves her husband and forgives him for his transgressions - some of which have only very recently become public knowledge.

The Press conference was about ten minutes long and is packed with body language teaching points. The following example is only but one moment of analysis. As always, today's post does not have a political agenda, rather it is a forum to illustrate and analyze nonverbal communication.

At 3:54, Anthony Weiner begins, "And now I have a chance to do something I haven't had a chance to do, um, on the campaign yet. Huma as you know has been out there with me recently and, ah, she had a few words that she wanted to say, so, um, my amazing wife, Huma Abedin."

At 4:05 - 4:06 as the former congressman says, "... so um ...", Ms. Abedin scratches her nose and the area just below it, raises her eyebrows, opens her eyelids wider than normal and briefly tightens her upper lip along with additional tension of the area between the upper lip and nose. This is a very clear cluster of nonverbal indicators which reveal that Huma didn't really want to say anything, however Mr. Weiner (and/or his campaign manager) wanted her to make a public statement of forgiveness and declaration of love for her candidate husband.

What other body language tells did you see?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2777:  Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, John McCain and John Boehner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2405:  Anthony Weiner's Running For Mayor of New York - His Body Language & His Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2439:  Michael Jackson's Wrongful Death Suit - AEG Live CEO's Body Language During Deposition

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2195:  Sen. John McCain's Body Language when comparisons made between  Condoleezza Rice to Susan Rice &  War with Iraq to Benghazi, Libya Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2349:  Barack Obama, The Miami Heat & Chicago Bulls -  POTUS's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2156:  Barack Obama's Body Language at Al Smith Charity Dinner -  Comedy, White Lies and Facial Touching MAPs

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 717:  Barry Bonds and the Obstruction of Justice

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2777: Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, John McCain and John Boehner

Hillary Clinton is not often on the same side of an issue as John McCain and John Boehner - however they are when it comes to Huma Abedin, Clinton's long-time aide and deputy chief-of-staff. After five house republicans called into question whether Ms. Abedin has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood because a possible association her long-deceased father may have had - all three came to her defense. 

During the 0:17 - 0:27 segment of this video, Secretary Clinton is praising McCain and Boehner while denouncing the McCarthyesque actions of those questioning Ms. Abedin's loyalty. Ms. Clinton uses the "Political Point" with her right hand along with an up-and-down chopping motion of her right arm. The political point is used in lieu of a traditional finger point (index finger/forefinger) or other similar nonverbals (the two finger point, pointing with a pen or pencil). As its moniker alludes to, this form of pointing is seen most often in the political arena and is a "softer" and friendlier way to point. 

The "index finger point" is a body language that is cross-culturally offensive and with rare exception should never be used. Often the thumb and forefinger are in a loose and nearly circular configuration - which is seen when the face, particularly the mid-face and mouth are more relaxed and void of anger and other negative emotional body language signals. Note however, that Ms. Clinton's digits are pinched together to form a tear-drop shape. When this variation of the political-point is seen, there is a more negative emotional tone present - which is often seen with corresponding facial tension. Ms. Clinton displays a subtle body language expression of contempt during this same ten second segment - which is directed at Huma Abedin's accusers - Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Louie Gohmert (R-Tx), Thomas Rooney (R-FL) and Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA).

Thus the pinched-political point (tear-drop shaped) is a more assertive and aggressive variation compared to the circular, relaxed and relative-beta variety. Ms. Clinton's chopping motion of her arm further adds to these more alpha emotions. While to some these may seem nearly identical gestures, nuancing this difference will allow you a clearer view into others' psyches. If negative emotions are present - endeavor to see through the camouflage ... or you will be ambushed.

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