Yesterday Donald Trump came in second to Ted Cruz in the Iowa Caucuses. The video above features the speech he gave afterward - and while it wasn't a concession speech, it does certainly contain elements of emotion consistent with losing.
This short speech is loaded with nonverbal tells, yet one segment is particularly worthy of scrutiny. Many have noted the phrase beginning at 2:47, "... I think I might come here and buy a farm ..." and have labeled it a Freudian Slip.
Primary thought-emotion is Anger
Secondary thought-emotion of Disgust
Both displayed during Trump speaking the word "... think ..."
A few seconds later as he says the word, "... farm ...", Trump manifests these same thought-emotions only with emphases in the reverse order.
Primary emotion of Disgust and his secondary emotion is that of Anger
Trump's display of both anger and disgust during this verbal overture-praise for the people of Iowa betrays his true feelings indicative of his profound insincerity.
On this day of the 2016 Iowa Caucuses, take a moment to view the above video segment from the most recent republican debate in Des Moines, Iowa. Senator Marco Rubio is featured three times during this clip. In each of these segments, especially the first two, the junior senator from Florida uses one particular nonverbal signal far too much.
Using any body language excessively (regardless of the type), just as with speaking or writing any word too frequently, will strongly suggest lack of vocabulary (spoken language, written language or body language), lack of experience (at least in this example, on such a large and important national stage) - or anxiety (the brain has difficulty multitasking during times of distress so it resorts to using the few "default settings" with which it has grown accustomed).
Sen. Rubio's intention is to project his assertiveness, determination and anger - by using a downward index finger (forefinger) point with the added hand chop dynamic. This is most certainly a high alpha body language display. The trouble is, as with most politicians and almost everyone using alpha nonverbal signals - is that they go overboard and use them far too dramatically and much too frequently. When over-used, alpha body language is, by definition, hyper-alpha and will polarize and destroy rapport rather than creating or building it.
In the political realm we will see hyper-alpha body language displays by members of the opposing party challengers (in this case the republicans opposing President Obama) much more often than members of the incumbent party running for the same political office. Moreover, hyper-alpha displays are also seen more often before the respective national conventions and a final party representative is then chosen. After the republican and democratic conventions the candidates will of course be trying to win the middle third of the electorate who are undecided - thus their nonverbals (intuitively or coached) will become more diplomatic/rapport building and less hyperbolic/less polarizing.
Did you notice Rubio's additional mistake?He wasn't really using an index finger downward point as much he was pointing directly toward the audience/camera. This is a profound faux pas, as pointing with an index finger towards anyone, even if they otherwise like you (and will vote for you) will alienate them. Index finger pointing is viewed world-wide as extremely offensive and patronizing.
As
with any athlete after a game, Senator Rubio (and his staff) should
take time to view and critique his performance, alerting him to this and
other mistakes.
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.
Mitt Romney is experiencing at least three emotions here. The former MassachusettsGovernor was campaigning in Council Bluffs on New Year's Day. He is currently polling first in the race for the Iowa Caucuses. In the everyday world, emotions are rarely isolated - rather they are superimposed and/or followed closely by others. Separating them accurately is not always easy. Romney body language shows us an Inward Lip Roll (ILR) indicating anxiety, correlated additionally with attempting to control the overt outward display of a negative emotion. This ILR is "blended" with the additional signal of Lip Thinning. Lip thinning is a clear indication of anger. Thus, anger is the negative emotion which Mitt is trying to contain.
The Governor's unilateral eyebrow and forehead elevation are nonverbal beacons of skepticism. Romney's head is not turned fully and his torso is not rotated at all toward the person/subject of his doubt. We do not look directly at people whom we don't like, don't respect and/or don't trust. Romney is exampling this nonverbal cluster of incredulity very well here.
Texas Representative Ron Paul is shown here at a Veterans' Rally in Des Moines on December 28, just six days prior to the Iowa Caucuses. Mr. Paul is using a palms-down hand gesture here, which is one no speaker, particularly a major candidate or a head-of-state, should ever display. Palms-down gestures are universally negatively received. They transmit over-dominant, patronizing and condescending feelings. In contrast, palms-up gestures send feelings of openness - while fostering supportive and yet still assertive attitudes. In short, palms-up body language allows a speaker to be authoritative and yet simultaneously friendly - a rare and welcomed combination for which all leaders should strive.
