Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2879: Barack Obama, Governor Rick Perry and the Crisis at the Southern Border (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Barack Obama visited Texas today to address the crisis at the border as well as the larger issue of overall immigration reform. President Obama met with Governor Rick Perry - since of course this problem puts a burden on the state he governs.

During the 1:54 - 1:56 segment in the above video (captured in images below), President Obama scratches five times behind his left ear (in such a scenario, people nearly always scratch/rub on the bony prominence there called the mastoid process) with his left index finger (forefinger). Many people falsely believe this signal as a nonverbal indicator of deception - yet it's not. However this behind the ear scratch is a very reliable indicator of anxiety.

As odd it may sound to some, scratching/rubbing/touching anywhere on the external ear itself (pinna) such as the earlobe or twisting a finger in the external ear canal (external auditory meatus) or just in front of or just below the ear in concert with a declarative statement or in when answering a question - is consistent with a lie. The President is not lying here though.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2878: Prince Fielder on ESPN Cover - Nude but What Emotion?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2848: Iliza Shlesinger, Hair Adjust Behind Ear, Dialing Up Your Alpha & Comedy - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2621: Matt Smith (11th Incarnation of 'Dr. Who'), Anxiety and American Psycho

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2647: Vladimir Putin regarding Edward Snowden, What Does the Russian Leader Think?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2626: Rashida Jones's Anxiety regarding YouTube Awards on Jimmy Fallon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2281:  Inaugural Luncheon Anxiety  Barack Obama's Body Language  Michelle's Mirroring

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Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2869: Barack Obama's Executive Action on Immigration Reform, The Rose Garden 30 June 2014 - Sincere or Insincere? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Regardless of your political beliefs, you should always be in the habit of assessing a leader for sincerity - and ask, "Is he/she being sincere or insincere?" There is a monumental difference between a sincere leader who does not share your belief(s) vs. an insincere leader who presses forth agendas in which they do not believe - yet which may agree with yours.

Today in the Rose Garden, President Obama spoke about his decision to use executive action regarding  immigration reform. Some have inquired as to the President's sincerity here. What do you think?

In this image (at 4:47), Barack Obama juts his jaw (thrust forward) while simultaneously clenching it. His lips also thin out (especially the upper lip) and begin to roll inward - yet because of his momentarily closed teeth, they cannot configure to a full "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) and thus the tissue adjacent to his lips (particularly below his lower lip) bulges outward (aka Peri-lip Bulge). His eyelids nearly completely close. His eyebrows come together and while his inner (medial) eyebrows are also directed downwards. This set of nonverbals is a cluster highly indicative of anger.

After reviewing the entire video, does President Obama display a high or low Sincerity Quotient? You should be able to cite many specific nonverbals which support your body language diagnosis.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2843: Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin in Normandy - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2807: Barack Obama at 2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2864: Mary Barra asked by Matt Lauer, Can you Run GM and be a good mom too? - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2836: Phil Mickelson, Insider Trading Allegations and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2863: Gary Oldman's Apology on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" - Sincere or Insincere? - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2776: James Franco's Mea Culpa - Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2868: Queen Elizabeth II, Lena Headey, Game of Thrones and Body Language

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2446: Harry Reid's Lip Purse - Body Language, the Immigration Bill & Negotiation (Video, Photo)

US News | George Zimmerman Trial | More ABC News Videos


 

Harry Reid (D-NV) answers a question here regarding Immigration Reform. Notice the expression - particularly with his mouth - the Senate Majority leader makes at the 0:11 mark. This is a brief and straight-on view of what in body language parlance is known as a "Lip Purse" (see image below).

Pursing of the Lips is a nonverbal that is made by someone who, at least in that moment, perceives himself and his position to be an alpha (relative to the antagonist at hand). It also is a signal that they believe their plan/opinion/answer is superior - however they will only be sharing a part (perhaps none) of it openly. Because they are the relative alpha - they also believe they have a reasonable chance, the resources and power to successfully execute their plan.
 
Think of the lip purse as a signal of clandestine disagreement and strengthen your "Plan B" for an ambush.

You may not have a master tactician like Senator Reid across the table from you - but you should never take a lip purse casually.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2391:  Jay Carney re: Hillary Clinton and Benghazi -  Microexpressions and More

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2298:  Kylie & Kendall Jenner Do NOT Like Kanye West - Their Body Language Contradicts their Words -  Spells another Split-up in Kim Kardashian's Future

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love

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

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1151:  Xi Jinping's Subtle Pursed Lips

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1896:  IMF Managing Director - Christine Lagarde Pseudo-Prayer & Pursed Lips

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