In July of 2017, during the G20 Summit in Hamburg, a particularly intriguing body language display was captured during one of the dinners. It's quite surprising that this display did not receive more press coverage at the time. It indeed deserves close examination.
What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the nonverbal exchange
between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on that night. The relevant video segment is
short and is looped several times within the news commentary video
included here (begin at 0:46).
Donald Trump turns his face and torso toward Vladimir Putin and then points at the Russian President with the index finger of his right hand.
He then gestures back - with the same finger pointing to himself -
And then Trump points again at Putin.
Next, President Trump pumps his fist, up-and-down, twice -
And yet again, Trump points at Putin (a third time) - this time with his left index finger.
Does it raise your internal alarms when a person - who doesn't know you very well - uses words such as: "We", "Our", "Us", "Let's", etc.? It should. This fits into a type of verbal behavior known as "Forced Teaming" (de Becker) and it's a common technique overused by manipulative individuals. In scenarios which are out of context to mutual familiarity and/or agreement, such verbal forced teaming is an attempt at making another person feel as if they belong to the same clan, team, etc. If you subscribe to any group/belief system, then you'll be significantly more likely to follow established rules/orders - and much more apt to be manipulated.
If you know what to look for, you'll also spot concomitant paralanguage and nonverbal forced teaming analogs.
Donald Trump frequently points to people in a crowd, a member of Congress, or his cabinet. When he does so, it's a body language form of forced teaming. It makes the other person feel as if the president temporarily raises them to the level of a peer - even if they literally and logically know it's not actually true. This makes it significantly more difficult to say, "no" to him - and much more likely that he'll be successful at winning others over to his way of thinking.
However, Trump has never pointed at another person - particularly a head-of-state - and THEN pointed back at himself - until he did so here, with Putin. He proceeded to point back to Putin - and did so a total of three times. And profoundly, sandwiched between his second and third Putin-point was Trump's enthusiastic fist-pumps.
SUMMARY: During the 2017 G20 Summit dinner in Hamburg, Germany - Donald Trump's repeated finger-pointing-fist-pumping gesturing toward Vladimir Putin indicates Trump's belief that he and Putin are on the same team - that they have solidarity - and that they are strong together.
On Friday 1 June 2018, Donald Trump met with former North Korean spy chief Kim Yong-chol in the Oval Office for about 90 minutes. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the President - with a focus on one particular tell.
DONALD TRUMP (beginning at 0:00): We'll be, ah - meeting on June twelfth in Singapore - went very well - it's really 'getting to know you' kind of a - situation. Ah, Mike has spent two days, ah, doing this. We've gotten to know their people very well and we will - you people are going to have to travel, because you'll be in Singapore 'n June twelfth. Ah - and I'll think it will be a process. It's not - I d't-, I never said it goes in one meeting - I think it's going to be a process. But the relationships are building and that's a very positive thing.
During, 0:29, as he says, "... relationships ...", he moves his right hand/arm gesturing using two rapid cyclical rotations - while advancing his hand anterior-laterally with his palm is facing in (toward his torso). Crucially, during this dynamic, his index finger is flexed (retracted) - but the other digits are extended.
This gesture is but one of many examples of what are known
as alpha-beta hybrids. Alpha-beta hybrids are not pure alpha, nor pure
beta - but somewhere in between. In general, the use of alpha-beta
hybrids is wise. Politicians certainly don't use them anywhere near as
often as they should - rather they tend to default to alpha and
hyper-alpha nonverbal behavior (which, although solidifies their base
- these will alienate swing/independent voters).
While this particular gesture - with the index finger retracted and all the other digits extended - is not idiosyncratic to Trump, it's relatively rare in the general population. And although it IS an alpha-beta hybrid, this illustrator lives toward the beta end of that Goldilocks zone.
Because the forefinger (index finger) is the most alpha/most powerful of all the
digits, this non-usage gesture is known as the Forefinger Retraction, Forefinger Flexing, or Fearful Forefinger.
Thus, in a very literal way, this dynamic is the exact opposite an extremely Hyper-Alpha gesture - Forefinger Pointing - (where the forefinger [index finger] is extended, and all the other digits are retracted).
SUMMARY: When we observe his Fearful Forefinger Retraction in dynamic context - it unequivocally tells us that the President is having a momentary downturn of his confidence. Its presence projects a hesitancy to commit/not wanting to engage. Moreover, as its name suggests, there's also a component of fear present.
Forefinger finger (Index finger) pointing is offensive in all countries and across all ethnicities. Such practice should be highly discouraged in all but the rarest circumstances.
Whenever a politician is choosing a journalist for a question, too often they will point with their index finger. But, alternatively, and far superior to forefinger pointing, would be using all the four fingers and the thumb, with one's palm facing upward, the arm partially extended - such that the wrist, elbow, shoulders - and finger joints are all relaxed. Pointing in this palms-up fashion is rapport building, while index finger pointing is rapport destroying.
But most of President Trump's pointing fits entirely into another type of behavior.
Does it raise your flag when a person - who doesn't know you very well - uses words such as: "We", "Our", "Us", "Let's", etc.? It should. This fits into a type of behavior known as "Forced Teaming" (de Becker) and it's a common technique of manipulative individuals. In scenarios which are out of context to mutual familiarity and/or agreement, such verbal forced teaming is an attempt at making you feel as if you belong to the same clan, team, etc. If you're part of any group/belief system, then you'll be significantly more likely to follow established rules/orders - and much more apt to be manipulated.
If you know what to look for, you'll also spot concomitant paralanguage and nonverbal forced teaming analogs.
Donald Trump frequently points to a random person in a crowd, a member of Congress, or his cabinet. When he does so, it's a body language form of forced teaming. It makes the other person feel as if the president temporarily raises them to the level of a peer - even if they literally and logically know it's not actually true. This makes it significantly more difficult to say, "no" to him - and much more likely that he'll be successful at winning others over to his way of thinking.
Summary: Donald Trump's frequent pointing is a common manipulative technique of nonverbal forced teaming.
What's most obvious is Price's Index Finger Pointing. The dynamic of pointing with one's index finger (aka forefinger) is a hyper-alpha display and it's universally negatively interpreted - regardless of culture, country, ethnicity, or economic class. At the very least it's considered offensive and rude - and, when displayed frequently - it's very often clustered with other behavior (nonverbal and otherwise) consistent with narcissistic personality disorder.
The former HHS Secretary has his right eye open with his left eyelids closed. His right index finger is aligned with his right visual axis - and his thumb is extended vertically. This body language cluster strongly suggests he is using his hand as a gun metaphor. This is also a profoundly hyper-alpha display.
But now look at his left hand, arm, and his lower extremities. The angles of his thighs are not very far out-of-parallel - this display is significantly beta (particularly for a wealthy, alpha male [Price's net worth in 2014 was estimated at 13.6 million USD]).
His left lower arm and wrist are protecting his groin in a modified fig leaf (genital guarding) display - which is also consistent with low confidence and defensiveness.
Of particular note are the fingers on Price's left hand - which, although we cannot see them entirely, appear to be positioned beneath his right thigh. This is a high beta configuration - projecting low confidence, low emotional comfort, and a hesitancy to disclose information.
Summary: This image shows the former HHS Secretary's upper body nonverbal behavior in an alpha display - yet it's all very conscious and deliberate.
In contrast, Dr. Price's lower body displays are projecting a beta mindset - the need for protection, and a hesitancy to disclose - but in distinction, these are all subconsciously controlled.
Whenever nonverbal signals appear to be disparate or contradictory - the behavior which is subconsciously driven display the person's true emotions.
There are numerous body language (and common sense) red flags in this video. When behavior is "Out of Context" for a given scenario, it's always a warning sign. Some of these behaviors are obvious and some are more subtle, but the ramifications are all quite serious.
1. Walking away from a police officer when commands are being given: This is, of course, always highly suspicious behavior
2. The nonchalance, casualness, and bounce of the suspect's gait/walking pattern: Highly out-of-context behavior when confronted by Law Enforcement
3. Persisting in talking on the phone (or faking a call) while being given commands by an officer: Classic decoy/camouflage/misdirection behavior
4. Only turning his head and neck - and then only partially, with his back to the officer - when being threatened with tasing: More non-disclosing, clandestine implying, and non-acquiescing behavior - All highly out-of-context
5. Right hand in his pocket: Yes, it may be cold, and there could be a benign reason for it, however, this is a warning sign any cop, street-wise adult, or even child knows - and it's particularly suspect when a command is being given to "Get Your Hands Out of Your Pockets" by an officer
6. Index finger of the opposite hand extended (whether talking on a phone or pretending to): If this particular signal was not present, then, of course, all of the above behaviors would easily carry sufficient threat assessment weight which should have indicated to the officerthat the suspect was very probably armed.
Yet, it's a profound nonverbal sign which very much adds nonverbal evaluation ...
This extended index finger signal (with or without a feigned or real phone call) is one, which, even if you're a cop, that you probably missed. An index finger extended in this setting carries a lot of meaning. It's a high alpha,high adrenaline, dominance display - when, in this particular context, the vast majority of people would normally be feeling very beta.
It's also a nonverbal gun metaphor - to have one's index finger (forefinger) extended with the other fingers contracted. At times, he was even pointing this "body language gun" symbol toward the officer prior to the literal gun was exposed.
His left index finger is in a high adrenaline state because his right index finger was also in a high adrenaline state (preparing to pull the trigger). One hand will mirror the other hand -especially in moments which are far from emotional baseline.
The video above displays only the later portion of this incident. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis with emphasis placed on the escalating-deescalating body language dynamics.
(Each description applies to the image immediately above it)
The pilot should not be leaning against the wall/restroom door. This casual act is very much out of context and is a mistake. As the most authoritative person on the plane, by this nonverbal display, he was acquiescing and very much saying, "I am beta, would anyone else here like to take my place as the authority figure?"
By his posture and arm position, it also appears as if he very possibly has his hand(s) in his pocket(s) which, in this cluster-context, truly screams that his emotional comfort is significantly diminished - along with low confidence.
The captain's lack of assertion in this moment created a power vacuum and he lost a window of opportunity in which to take charge and thus to prevent and/or deescalate in a controlled manner, on his own terms.
During 0:26 - 0:27, the intervening male passenger gestures a second time (the first occasion was during 0:25), with his left thumb. We can only see a portion of his right face, but there is enough of it visible to confirm his anger.
Gesturing with one's thumb (rather than a finger) is wise in this context. It's one way to keep already escalating emotions from crescendoing too much.
Notice also too, that his arm, particularly his upper arm, is held close to his chest (although, this is in part, very natural [for most people] in a crowded environment). The mere act of keeping one's arms close to one's torso, will help tremendously in down-regulating emotions (and thus keep anger from growing).
The intervening male passenger then turns his torso a bit more toward an unseen person as he points with his right index finger (forefinger) and his thumb.
This is a key moment in the escalation of this incident. The act of pointing with our index finger immediately up-regulates the adrenaline level in our body (whether we are the one doing the pointing or being pointed at). This seemingly simple, yet very provocative gesture, dramatically increases the chances of physical altercation.
Notice too, the male passenger's eyebrows have risen significantly along with his eyelids. We see more "whites of his eyes" (sclera). These changes are also highly consistent with higher levels of anger which instantaneously accompany his index finger pointing.
At 0:33, the male passenger points more dramatically at the same unseen passenger (presumably the male American Airlines employee) and "jabs" his finger as his forearm moves further away from his torso. This jabbing gesture (Illustrator) is a surrogate for, and often a preamble to a fist and/or weapon.
The male passenger then points at his chest (a split second later, also during 0:33), re-inserting himself as a central player in an incident in which he was not initially involved. He then returns to his seat.
Individuals who have a tendency to inject themselves and behave in this manner - often will also be those who have a predilection for physical altercation, rather than solving a problem with dialog and diplomacy.
During the 0:46 mark in the video, after the same intervening male passenger shouts out to the American Airlines employee (who was speaking to the captain), the AA employee turns to the passenger as the captain gestures for his subordinate's refrain (although still quite half-heartedly).
During 0:47, the male passenger then begins to again point with his index finger, only this time his arm is fully extended. This full arm adjunct pointing (also with a jabbing motion) is particularly inflammatory and escalating.
The American Airlines employee then responds in kind, mirroring the male passenger's hype-aggressive gesture (0:48).
As the passenger aggressively approaches, the American Airlines Employee displays a palms-up gesture which is deescalating (0:51) - although it would have even more so if his hands were in a lower position.
As the employee backs up, the captain's hand is on his shoulder, in this context, this gesture is deescalating (0:52).
In this next moment (0:58) we see:
The passenger pointing at himself (re-asserting his dominance and aggressiveness)
A female flight attendant with a (protective and insulating) hand on the male American Airlines employee's upper abdomen/lower chest
The captain with a (dominant) palm-down, fingers-spread Illustrator (aka "Dominant Spider" - gesturing toward the male passenger
And the male American Airlines employee, with this extra protection/insulation from his co-workers - particularly with that of the captain (in addition to the passenger backing away), displays a classic "bring it on" escalating fight gesture (Ã la The Matrix). This is foolish - yet quite typical and predictable in order for him to "save face".
As the male passenger's female companion/friend/wife pulls his right arm (foreground), the male passenger feels a similar "need" to save face, by issuing one last set of finger-point-jabbing escalating gestures toward the male airline employee (0:59).
As the American Airlines employee is "herded" out of the plane with a hand on his sternum/mid-chest - with an attempt at argument re-engagement - we see an expression of contempt displayed on the employee's face (1:05).
A second later, his expression has morphed into a combination of anger and classic disgust. Note the extreme nostril flaring and mid-facial tension - which are common to both aforementioned emotions.
Once the male employee disembarks, the female flight attendant and captain - who were, in large measure, the default "neutral parties" incident - approach the male passenger. Their facial expressions are relatively calm, neutral - and therefore, non-escalating (1:08).
The captain then displays a dominant, palm-down gesture (1:10), which, in this moment is superfluous and over-compensatory.
In this last image, as the captain begins to turn away, we see a primary expression of regret with a secondary one of disgust (1:11).
Summary: Although the details of the entire event are not currently available in the form of a video, what is viewable in this recording shows a very typical confrontational escalation behavior on the part of both the American Airlines employee and the male passenger.
The captain could have largely prevented a good portion of this incident by being more assertive earlier.
Being aware of one's own nonverbal behavior (as well as the others involved), in real-time, during such emotional moments, are of profound benefit in deescalating confrontational situations. Relying on verbal-only techniques will result in a high degree of failure and loss of tempers (loss of impulse control).
When
a person holds a mobile phone with their index finger (forefinger)
extended along the long axis of the phone, as Jared Kushner is doing in
this image (close-up in the image immediately above of the wide angle
below) they're in an alpha mental state. More specifically, they are
either receiving or delivering messages which are in their favor - or
they are speaking to a person with whom they perceive as a beta.
When a person holds their cell phone with all their fingers on one side of the phone with their thumb on the other side - they are in a relatively beta mental state. They are getting or delivering news which is less in their favor. And while the President of the United States has relatively few people who make him feel more beta - even the most powerful people are still human - and thus have frequent moment-to-moment fluctuations in their relative alpha-beta emotional states.
Thus while watching a person as they are speaking on their phone, and you observe the index finger change position and proceed to extend up and alone - you know they've just fluxed into a higher level of confidence, assertiveness, decisiveness, and power. And when you see the index finger return back - grouped with the other fingers - they have down-regulated into a relatively beta state.
The barometers of body language have many qualifiers and quantifiers - read them well and succeed.
There were two hand-arm gestures which President Trump over-used - and indeed one which he should absolutely NOT have used.
Above we see what has become known in some countries as "The Political Point". In other countries (e.g., Greece, Turkey, Russia, Brazil and others) this gesture is an obscenity - while in others (France, Belgium, Tunisia) it indicates "worthless".
In many countries (including the US) where the tip of the forefinger (index finger) is touching the tip of the thumb with the other digits extended, it indicates "okay", "everything is all right" or "I agree with you". Yet these are recognizably different scenarios from most political speeches.
In the past 25-30 years, many politicians have come to use the political point nonverbal signal instead of index finger pointing while speaking. In general this is a very good idea - for it's one of many types of what are known as "alpha-beta hybrids". It fits in this category because it's not as aggressive and not as hyper-alpha (and offensive) as is pointing at someone (or group) with one's forefinger - yet it still projects a good level of authority, strength and determination.
The trouble with the political point is that most politicians who use it, tend to over-use it - and that is what President Trump did today. Any time someone uses any nonverbal signal too frequently, it's a bad idea. It's very much as if someone spoke a certain word too often. It backfires. It looks unpolished. It makes people emotionally uncomfortable. It sends the wrong message. Of course, this same principle applies to almost everything in human behavior.
Another intriguing factor about the political point - is that outside the realm of politics, the political point is almost never used - and that makes people suspicious. And in this light, it also sends signals of insincerity.
Pointing upwards is another body language gesture which Donald Trump used too often today. It's another nonverbal symbol used in lieu of pointing directly at someone. Moreover, this illustrator is significantly more alpha when compared with the political point and therefore it should be used with less frequency and more discreetly. This "Pointing Up" should essentially be choreographed into one's speech and used for short durations during very specific and important words.
The third variation on pointing which Donald Trump used today, should NOT have been used at all. Index finger (forefinger) pointing is UNIVERSALLY offensive (across all cultures). Even those people who agree with your point of view and who like you, will become ill-at-ease when you point at them. Rather than using the index finger point, the new president should have pointed with a relaxed-palm up gesture, held at the lower chest level (with his elbow and shoulder extended, but not fully).
