Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2220: Harry Reid on Jim DeMint's Retirement -A Body Language Tell of Insincerity

In this video, Harry Reid (D-NV) comments on Jim DeMint's (R-SC) recent announcement of his intention to retire from the U.S. Senate. At two times the Senate Majority Leader comments on "believe" & "belief" which are contradicted by his body language. At 0:35, when Reid says, "...I personally believe", he gestures towards his sternum or manubrium (towards his heart) but never touches it. A few seconds later, at 0:36 - 0:38, he displays a similar nonverbal when he says, "...He does this out of a sense of real belief". In this second gesture, Senator Reid touches only with his fingertips. If these feelings of "belief" (the first Reid's own, the second which is implied empathy for DeMint) were sincere, we would have seen in both circumstances, a touching with the whole palm of the hand - aka a "Palmar Touch". This insincere body language signal is, of course, seen just as commonly in all political parties.

In this scenario a Palmar Touch would signify sincerity and empathy. Clustered with other nonverbals (not seen in or applicable to this context), it can also indicate affection, ownership and belonging.

It is intriguing to note that, from a paralanguage standpoint, the word "personally" in Reid's first statement, and "real" in the second, are not necessary if the feelings were sincere. They are a epiphenomena of compensatory behavior and also betray his true emotional tone.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2216: Senator Jim DeMint's Body Language - Lip Purse, Suppressed Smile, Duping Delight & Retiring Early

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1900: Palmar Touch of another Person, an Animal or Object

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1866:  Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth are Engaged -  An Affection-Love Sincerity Signal
  
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2183: Barack & Michelle Obama's Tweet - The Palmar Touch, Body Language and an Affectionate Hug

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1829: Dara Torres Interview with Piers Morgan - Embarrassment,  Visual Recall, Sexual Anticipation Lip Biting &  Sincerity Quotients

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2143: Meyers and Bailey Leonard - The Illini, The Marine & The Reunion -  Emotional Processing & Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2207:  Body Language, Sincerity and Mahmoud Abbas  United Nations grants Palestine "Nonmember Observer State" 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2216: Senator Jim DeMint's Body Language - Lip Purse, Suppressed Smile, Duping Delight & Retiring Early

Jim DeMint of South Carolina announced his retirement today - less than two years into his second Senate term. The Republican - a Tea Party favorite, has accepted the top position at the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation.

In the above image, Senator DeMint displays a cluster of several body language-facial displays. Though he shows no teeth, his smile is a sincere one. True Joy is present. Notable here is his bilateral partially closed eyelids with the concave-up furrows present in each lower lid. These particular eyelid findings are absolutely required for the smile to be sincere (along with his non-contracted, relaxed forehead). And yet, this smile is not so "cut-and-dry".

The South Carolinian's mouth is configured in what is known as a "Lip Purse". In short, a lip purse, is a signal of disagreement. Not just any disagreement though - a clandestine one. When this highly specific nonverbal is seen, the verbal message is often muted and softened compared to what is being felt & thought. Indeed, there may even be complete verbal agreement. When the lip purse is displayed though - there is either partial or full disagreement in the mind. The words are a ruse. The body language is where your attention should be. 

Simultaneously, this lip purse acts to contribute to a "Suppressed Smile" appearance - though not a typical one.

A lip purse is always made by someone who holds a relative alpha position. He or she, republican or democrat, right or wrong - believes, at least at for the moment, that they are holding the cards and that their plan will succeed and they have the means to make it work. They are telling you one thing, but be prepared - at least in part - for something(s) else.

So while Senator DeMint's smile is sincere in the above photo - and he is in no doubt joyful here - his joy is not your joy. Thus, this particular eye expression in combination with the lip purse is a variation of a Duping Delight (Ekman) expression.

See also:

Nonverbal Communications Analysis # 1715:  Jay Carney's Lip Purse  Bin Laden is Dead & General Motors is Alive

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1055: The Very Subtle Lip Purse

Negotiation Secret # 9a : Nancy's Pelosi's Not-so-Subtle Lip Purse

Negotiation Secret # 9b : Lip Pursing Redux- Condoleezza Rice

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2072: Jay Carney's Lip Purse while NOT commenting on  Mitt Romney's Visits to the U.K., Israel and Poland

Negotiation Secret # 140: Duping Delight Microexpression

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication # Analysis 1492: Ben Bernanke's Duping Delight & Partial Emblematic Slip

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2187: Paula Broadwell with Hearsay on Benghazi Attack -  Excerpt from University of Denver Speech and a Body Language form of "Duping Delight" ...

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2188: Paula Broadwell on Petraeus Relationship - Body Language of Prolonged Blink, Hard Swallow and More Duping Delight


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