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

To most this is a hilarious (except perhaps to the First Lady) video captured today at a post-inaugural luncheon; John Boehner tells the newly sworn in Commander-in-Chief and his wife a joke. While he looks directly at the President, he taps Michelle on her upper arm (about two-thirds the way from the elbow to the shoulder) with the back of his fingers. Had Ms. Obama been looking at him, the Speaker of the House probably would not have made this physical contact. This moment of touch is captured in the image immediately below (at 0:03).

This next image (below at 0:06) shows a clear and classic nonverbal display of contempt towards Mr. Boehner. In the video, we see this facial expression twice (at 0:04 & 0:08). Note the left unilateral "snarl" with mid-face tension, her left lip curling up and although her eyes look in the Speaker's direction, her head barely turns towards him. We do not look directly at people who we don't like, don't respect or don't believe. This contempt display is initiated in the subconscious.

Another interesting and telling body language display seen clustered her, is Mrs. Obama pulls her arm closer, in a distancing, disapproval and defensive display (seen at 0:05).

The next photo show Michelle Obama in the middle of what most people see in this video - the "Eye Roll" (at 0:09). The eye roll is also a contempt display (sometimes coupled with an emotional tone of disbelief) - however, unlike the above noted contempt example, it is initiated consciously. At this moment, she fully intends to convey open disapproval to Mr. Boehner (and her husband). This bluntness is further demonstrated by the first lady also simultaneously shaking her head "no".

The president is showing sincere laughter- smile, while Boehner shows laughter mixed with a "fear-mouth" (a great example of emotional dissonance). At this moment John Boehner realizes he has crossed a line with the first lady - and offended her somehow, while Mr. Obama realizing this, touches her on her shoulder or upper back in an attempt to mollify her (at 0:09 - 0:10).

The image below is very telling as well (at 0:16- 0:18 in the video). Michelle Obama is still angry. Barack Obama is displaying a nose rub while John Boehner is committing an Inward Lip Roll (ILR) - both of which are forms of self-touching. In body language terminology these are known as MAPs (Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier) and signal clear anxiety on the part of both men.

In a nutshell, John Boehner made an attempt at humor and the President and the Speaker of the House both thought it truly was funny, but the Michelle Obama did not. In fact she was offended and displayed and felt contempt for Boehner (she almost certainly had already felt this towards the House leader for some time). The fact that John Boehner touched Mrs. Obama, and touched her particularly higher up the arm [a placed reserved for those whom we have closer relationships with - he would have done better to touch on the elbow, not above or below it (A. Pease)], acted to amplify her contempt - and it may in fact been the primary reason for Michelle's emotion here. The touch would have had the opposite effect if Michelle had good rapport with Mr. Boehner. Laughter is primarily a bonding experience. If Mrs. Obama had had some level of platonic affection for Mr. Boehner (clearly she didn't), and she thought his humor was truly funny - a combination of such touch-laughter would have engendered a greater level of bonding. When there is not a certain level of affection-familiarity, touching another person will often back-fire - although you will rarely see it exemplified so well on video.

See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1407: Auboni Champion-Morin Reunited with Kidnapped Son After 8 Years -  Microexpression of Contempt towards kidnapper

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 457: Salman Rushdie's Contempt Amplifier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2228: Jay Carney's Body Language - Contempt disguised as a Sniff .... for Republicans' Solutions to the Fiscal Cliff

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2172: Governor Chris Christie's Body Language of Contempt -  Microexpressions and Subtle Displays

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1927:  Italy's Fans watching Euro 2012 Final - Expressions of Fear

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1212: Invading Barack Obama's Personal Space

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 915:  Interpersonal Space of Candidates

 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2134: A Watershed Body Language Moment: Nixon - Kennedy Debates 1960

Fifty years ago, John Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States. On January 20, 1961, he gave what many historians would consider one of the greatest speeches of the 20th Century and it is the moment, in large measure, when the decade truly began. It's exceedingly valuable to review some of the differences between how Richard Nixon and John Kennedy presented themselves during their first Presidential Debate. It was one of those rare moments that history pivoted on - and people knew this even as they were watching it.

The Nixon-Kennedy Debates were the first U.S. Presidential Debates in over a century and they would be the last until Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter met in 1976 - but they've been a staple in the American political process ever since. A little known fact - is that the first time Kennedy and Nixon debated was in 1947. They were both freshman congressman and in McKeesport, Pennsylvania they debated "The Taft-Hartley Act". The two men considered themselves friends and even shared a room on the Capitol Limited (a train line) that night on their way back to D.C.

The first of the four 1960 Presidential debates took place on the night of September 26, 1960 in Chicago - but a significant event occurred several weeks before in North Carolina. Richard Nixon had severely injured his knee there and he had to take two weeks off from campaigning. He recuperated in Walter Reed Medical Center and his infected knee received antibiotic injections while he grew understandably frustrated. He lost weight. Mr. Nixon still looked sick and run down on the night of the debate. While putting in long hours trying to make up for lost campaigning time, and only hours before the event, he re-injured his knee and thus was in a good deal of pain while on camera.  

The temperature of the studio that night was warmer than most would find comfortable. This coupled with Nixon's knee pain, caused him to perspire noticeably during this first ever televised U.S. Presidential Debate. He was seen blotting his face with a handkerchief several times that night. Richard Nixon didn't freshly shave for this evening event, and while he refused to use stage make-up, he did use a product called "Lazy Shave" which was supposed to hide his stubble. But it only served to make his sweat more noticeable.

During the first debate, Nixon wore a suit jacket that was close to the same color as the stage background. Subsequently, he blended-in and was physically, poorly-defined. Kennedy, on the other hand wore a dark suite which contrasted well against the background and made him strongly stand out. This "visual metaphor" gave the impression that he was more well-defined - beyond that of his physical appearance.

John Kennedy was well rested, uninjured, relaxed, tan, freshly shaved and well-prepared. He had spent many hours practicing for the debate, while Nixon was "campaign-cramming" up to the last minute. Immediately after the event, Nixon's Mother had even called him to ask if he was ill. In stark contrast, Nixon is on record writing, "I've never seen him (Kennedy) so fit."

While the radio listeners gave Nixon the slight edge in post-debate polling, they made up the distinct minority of those in the country. By that time, 88% of American homes had televisions and the Debates were watched by over 50% of Americans. Television viewers gave Kennedy the win by a landslide. They didn't vote with ears, they voted with their eyes.

There are those who doubt the significance of body language. While Kennedy won the debates convincingly, the election was one of the closest in American history. The debates made all the difference. Many historians feel that Nixon, had he been elected, would have taken the Joint Chiefs advice rather than refusing it as did Kennedy. Thus Nixon would have very likely responded with direct military force (rather than the Kennedy-directed Naval blockade) during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of '62. Most historians feel this more aggressive action would have probably precipitated a nuclear war.

The mighty doors of history swing on small hinges.

See also:

Analysis # 2125: Presidential Debate Body Language - George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ross Perot 1992

Analysis # 346: Rick Perry Forgets: 8 Republican Presidential Hopefuls Debate in Detroit - 60 seconds of Oops, Body Language and Empathy

Analysis # 2131: Presidential Debate Highlights - Bush vs. Gore 2000 - Gore's Invasion of Bush's Personal Space

Analysis # 2104: Mitt Romney's Convention Speech - Part II

Analysis # 1149: Who was More Nervous in Last Night's Debate? Santorum, Romney, Gingrich or Paul?

Analysis # 337: Michele Bachmann's Low Confidence Stance 

Analysis # 915: Interpersonal Space of Candidates

Analysis # 2133: Dan Quayle and Lloyd Bentsen Debate in 1988 - "Senator, You're no Jack Kennedy"

Analysis # 713: The Finger Point - A Rare Exception

Analysis # 919: How Newt Stands Influences Voters and ....

Analysis # 2135: Ronald Reagan in Nashua, New Hampshire - "I'm Paying for this Microphone Mr. Green!"

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