Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3321: John Boehner Announces Resignation During Press Conference - A Classic Body Language Tell (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

To the surprise of many, today John Boehner announced his resignation as Speaker of the House as well as from his seat for the 8th Congressional District of Ohio. This will take effect on 31 October 2015.

Speaker Boehner is known to tear-up easier than most. Today while recounting a personal encounter with Pope Francis (less than 24 hours earlier) provided another such occasion.

There are several nonverbal behaviors often seen in an effort to squelch one's tears and prevent a crescendo into a full cry. One of these is exhibited here by Speaker Boehner.

Note his lower lip protruding. Moreover this is unilateral and occurs several times. It may also have a jaw component along with this lip movement (a lateral displacement of the jaw on the same side).

Of course, no one is sincere all the time, yet it's of profound importance is that only those individuals with relatively higher sincerity quotients display this nonverbal signal.

What other nonverbal signs indicate higher sincerity levels?

This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc. are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3320: Pope Francis speaks before the U.S. Congress - Body Language of Boehner and Biden

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3068: John Boehner Kissing Nancy Pelosi 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2559: John Boehner's Body Language - Microexpression of Contempt vs. Facial Tic  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3099: Jon Stewart Announces he's Leaving "The Daily Show" - A Classic Body Language Cluster

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2285:  Emotional Processing during Crying - Body Language of Survivor of Brazilian Nightclub Fire

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1706: Amanda Knox Interview after Guilty Verdict - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2929: Jessica Alba, Sin City 2, Action Figures and the Jaw Confessional 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3320: Pope Francis speaks before the U.S. Congress - Body Language of Boehner and Biden (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today Pope Francis gave the first ever Papal address before congress. The word "historic" has even thrown about.

The photo above was captured in the instant prior to the handshake between Pope Francis and Joe Biden. Note that the Vice President holds his hand perpendicular to the floor (which, in most all other scenarios would be highly recommended - but not in front of the World - with the Pope - particularly if you're Catholic [as are both Joe Biden and John Boehner]). Such a hand orientation suggests parody. Yet with a high-level religious figure such as Pope Francis (regardless of one's spiritual practice), Mr. Biden would be well advised to adopt a handshake with deference.

In the image below (at the very end of the same handshake), Mr. Biden realizes his mistake and although not optimally configured, he attempts to salvage the situation and partially retracts his fingers - and more fully repositions his thumb. Despite Biden being significantly elevated, this allows Francis' thumb to be on top and thus shifts the Pope to a relative alpha status.

In contrast, John Boehner, either via instinct or from witnessing the Vice President's mistake, offers his hand in a palm-up manner from the beginning. Normally neither Biden nor Boehner would want to accept a beta role in the context of a handshake - or otherwise.

Of course, many other people in power positions have egos which crave the lowering other high-power alphas to relative beta positions. Yet Pope Francis is an exception to this very human foible (He doesn't "need" or want others to behave this way). And Boehner and Biden are wise to make this exception versus their typical salutations.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3319: Donald Trump Feels He Has Nothing to Apologize For - Body Language on Stephen Colbert's Late Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3207: Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis and Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1131:  Romney's Handshake, Santorum's Bicep's, and Dominance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3318: Barack Obama and Pope Francis - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love   

Body Language Secret No. 483:  Handshake on the 18th - not so fast

Negotiation Secret No. 703: Bad Handshake?  Let me count the ways ....


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3077: Barack Obama, The 2015 State of the Union Address Part II & What John Boehner Doesn't Believe - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

"It's what you do when you don't have the basketball." -  Larry Bird

A lot can be discerned by carefully observing other high level officials who are "in the know" during such important addresses as the The State of the Union - and one such example follows. Last night, at the 48:05 mark, Barack Obama continued:

"As Americans, we cherish our civil liberties – and we need to uphold that commitment if we want maximum cooperation from other countries and industry in our fight against terrorist networks. So while some have moved on from the debates over our surveillance programs, I have not. As promised, our intelligence agencies have worked hard, with the recommendations of privacy advocates, to increase transparency and build more safeguards against potential abuse. And next month, we’ll issue a report on how we’re keeping our promise to keep our country safe while strengthening privacy."

During the 48:37 - 48:39 segment, John Boehner then rubs his right eye. The timing and context of such a unilateral eye rub while listening to another person speaking, indicates either his own incredulity or Boehner's belief of blatant deception by Barack (Rubbing both eyes indicates something completely different - do YOU know what it means?). The Speaker of the House either does not agree with the President - or he believes POTUS is lying with respect to the issues of either keeping the country safe, strengthening the peoples' privacy - or both.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3076: 2015 State of the Union Address, Barack Obama, John Boehner and a Microexpression of ....

Negotiation Secret No. 29:  Eye Rub When Someone Else is Speaking - Angela doubts Vladimir

Negotiation Body Language Secret No. 199:  When a Lie is Told, Heard or Visualized by ....Vladimir's Eye

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2746: John Kerry and Hugh Robertson - Eye Rub, Mouth Covering - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2400:  One Way Deception Could be Minimized in the Court Room -  O.J. Simpson's in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1907:  Governor Rick Scott tells a Lie

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2459:  Was Eliot Spitzer Sincere?  Apology, Sincerity and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2207:  Body Language, Sincerity and Mahmoud Abbas  United Nations grants Palestine "Nonmember Observer State" 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3076: 2015 State of the Union Address, Barack Obama, John Boehner and a Microexpression of .... (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Perhaps the most memorable (verbal) line in the 2015 State of the Union address was improvisational - as Barack Obama met with some possibly unanticipated republican applause:

"I have no more campaigns to run. My only agenda [republicans clapping] - I know because I won both of 'em ..."

This first sentence drew a very specific nonverbal tell from Speaker of the House, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH). As the President began to say the word "only" and an instant later as it became more fully manifested during the word "agenda" (during 1:06:47) - the right side of Speaker Boehner's face (on our left) displayed a very brief nonverbal signal indicative of contempt (a near-microexpression). While this particular expression is not the only manner in which the body language of contempt is projected on the face, it is the most commonly sighted one. Characterized by what in a nutshell is often called a unilateral "snarl" - this classic contempt sign has a tightening of the mid-face, a unilaterally upward-vectoring of one side of the mouth, a evanescent deepening and definition of the same side nasal-labial fold (running from each side of the mid-nose down to below and laterally to each mouth corner), a nostril flaring on the same side, and often a unilateral partial closing of the eyelids (Which acts as a contempt amplifier in this setting).

There can be no doubt that in this moment Speaker Boehner was feeling contempt for President Obama.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3075: Franklin Graham (Billy Graham's son) Blasts Duke University for Muslim "Call to Prayer"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2865: John Boehner is Suing Barack Obama - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3068: John Boehner Kissing Nancy Pelosi

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3061: Jimmy Fallon Blew a Chance to Date Nicole Kidman  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3068: John Boehner Kissing Nancy Pelosi - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

Last week John Boehner was elected by his republican colleagues for his third term as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. One of the most powerful members of the U.S. government and second in line for presidential succession (behind only Vice President Joe Biden) - the Ohio republican is shown in this image kissing the former Speaker, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) after he once again received the ceremonial Speaker's gavel.

From a body language perspective, the expression on Ms. Pelosi's face is almost a caricature. This is a classic nonverbal moment having elements of both contempt and disgust present.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3067: George & Amal (Alamuddin) Clooney at the Golden Globe Awards - Two Types of Sincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2610: Nancy Pelosi Body Language Tells Us She Fears for Obamacare's Demise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2442:  Nancy Pelosi's Subtle Contempt Display  Body Language Regarding "Who Cares?" Retort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2559: John Boehner's Body Language - Microexpression of Contempt vs. Facial Tic

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2318:  John Boehner at Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling  A Body Language Signal of Squelching Tears

Dating & Romance Body Language Secret No. 363:  Simon Cowell, Kissing and Lack of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1855:  Sincere Kisses & Closed Eyes  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia Pilieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss" - Body Language of Romance and Affection

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3002: How NOT to sit in the Oval Office - Mitch McConnell ... your Beta is Showing (PHOTO)

Mitch McConnell (R - KY) is poised to snatch the Senate Majority Leader position away from Harry Reid if the mid-term elections favor the republicans tomorrow as many pundits and poles are predicting.

The above image was captured recently in the oval office. From a nonverbal perspective, Mitch McConnell, seated here with John Boehner and Barack Obama, is displaying a variation of a "Seated Fig-Leaf". The body language of a good leader - political or otherwise, projects assertiveness and strength - and a person who is emotionally comfortable. However the Kentucky Senator is transmitting none of these qualities here. In this moment McConnell is feeling intimidated and demure. Such a configuration should never be displayed by any leader unless perhaps meeting with a major religious figure or attending a similar ceremony, funeral, etc. By bearing his beta emotions to President, he projects emotional weakness and places himself and himself at a profound political disadvantage.

Although this photo does not give us an optimal viewing angle, along with the primary components of a fig-leaf (hands clasped or nearly-so over the groin, though here Sen. McConnell seems he is perhaps trying, unsuccessfully so, to project a low conventional steeple), his feet are too close together, his upper arms are touching his torso, his shoulders are hunched and neck foreshortened. This nonverbal cluster shouts "I feel weak".

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2999: Chris Christie to James Keady "Sit Down and Shut Up" - Body Language Congruent with ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2246:  Harry Reid vs. Mitch McConnell on the Senate Floor -  Their Body Language Betrays How they Feel about  Probability of Fiscal Cliff Deal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1892:  Harry Reid, "That's a Clown Question Bro!" -  Tongue in Cheek

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2947: Governor Rick Perry - Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2896: Hillary Clinton - Vladimir Putin Bears Some Responsibility for the Downing of Malaysia Air Flight MH17

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2876: President Obama on Key Bridge regarding John Boehner's Lawsuit - "So Sue Me" - (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last week Barack Obama stood next to the Key Bridge and taunted Republicans. In response to John Boehner's lawsuit, the President said, " .... so sue me! ..."

As usual, any person even briefly speaking regarding any emotional subject gives up a lot of body language tells - and here Mr. Obama is no exception.

Below is a partial nonverbal analysis of one particular signal.

" ... Boehner sued me for this; and I told him, 'I'd rather do things with you - pass some laws - make sure the Highway Trust Fund is funded so we don't lay off hundreds of thousands of workers'; it's not that hard. [tongue in cheek during 1:57-2:00] Middle class families can't wait for republicans in congress to do stuff ...."



The word "hot" is an example of a homonym; thus a woman may be described as "hot", ISIS is a "hot" topic, it's "hot" out in Phoenix, or a particular Peperoncini is "hot" - all have different meanings. Yet we have no difficulty discerning these meanings here because of the other words accompanying them in their respective sentences. Unbeknownst to many - there are multitudes of nonverbal homonyms as well. So be careful to never interpret a body language signal in isolation.

Depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered, a "Tongue in Cheek" has several possible meanings. It can indicate "I just won", "I gotcha", sadness/grief, anger, deception, and even (but certainly not the meaning in this example) a projection of sexuality. Which of the other nonverbals seen clustered here in this video give President's tongue in cheek an accurate meaning within this context?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication 2875: Eugenie Bouchard, Wimbledon and Tongues - Body Language Nuance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2796: Olivia Wilde, Butter, Jon Stewart and the Tongue in Cheek - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2352:  Mila Kunis' Tongue in Cheek  Graham Norton Part II

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2843: Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin in Normandy

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2865: John Boehner is Suing Barack Obama - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This past Wednesday, John Boehner announced that he is suing the Barack Obama for abuse of powers and not faithfully executing the office of the Presidency.

Many have inquired of late with regards to the Speaker of U.S. House of Representative's body language. At multiple times, Boehner's mouth rapidly and evanescently pulls up at both corners in what some novices mistake for disgust or regret - and still others confuse it with "duping delight" (Ekman). However this is a facial tic (particular image below is captured from 0:21). Mr. Boehner displays it often and it increases in frequency with his anxiety level. The presence of this facial tic makes other nonverbal signals (such as those associated with the emotions mentioned above) more difficult to discern.

What other body language (e.g. non-tic facial expressions) in this video betray the Speaker's true thought-feelings with regards to suing the President?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2318:  John Boehner at Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling  A Body Language Signal of Squelching Tears

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2704: Barack Obama, John Boehner and the State of the Union Address - Body Language Tells

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 # 1877:  John Boehner's Open Consideration

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2855: Hillary Clinton, 2016 Presidential Race and Duping Delight - Body Language Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2704: Barack Obama, John Boehner and the State of the Union Address - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night President Obama gave his fifth State of the Union Address. It is protocol for the Vice President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to sit behind the President. In the video above (and highlighted in the image below), both Joe Biden and John Boehner displayed many nonverbal signals - yet one in particular will go unrecognized by all but a few. Mr. Boehner can be seen wiping his nose (1:02 - 1:06) - however this wasn't because of any nasal dysfunction. It is very common for the emotion of disgust to be subconsciously camouflaged as a nose wipe or rub. This is direct contrast to his conscious display of clapping. Whenever the verbal and nonverbal messages are in incongruent - it is the nonverbal that is always correct.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2620: President Obama Tells a Couple Fibs - "Norming" Barack's Body Language 

Last night President Obama gave his fifth State of the Union Address. It is of course for the Vice President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives sat behind the President. In ________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2559: John Boehner's Body Language - Microexpression of Contempt vs. Facial Tic (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Many are aware that John Boehner has a facial tic. Of course this does not exempt him from nonverbals displays which are indicative of valuable emotional tells. What follows is just such an example.

Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video. 

Rep. Boehner's stated (begins at 0:01) "Our leadership team met with ah, our members today, ah, trying to find a way forward in a bipartisan way, ah, that ah we continue to provide fairness to the American people, ah, under Obamacare. Ah, there are a lot of opinions about ah what direction to go. There have been no decisions about exactly we will do. Ah, but we're going to continue to work with out members on both sides of the isle, ah to try and make sure, ah that there's no ah issue, ah of default and to get our government reopened."

At 0:06, just after the Speaker of the House says, "... trying to find a way forward in a bipartisan way ...", Mr. Boehner displays a classic example of a microexpression of contempt. His "mustache area" is vectored primarily upward. His left nostril is also flared. In addition, the valuable "contempt amplifier" of simultaneous and partially closed eyelids are present.

Most of Speaker Boehner's "facial tics" are just that - a longstanding and frequent idiosyncrasy (see below). And indeed when viewed at regular speed, very few people can distinguish the difference between one of his baseline tics and any type of microexpression. This particular example however was not a facial tic. John Boehner clearly is feeling contempt in this moment.

This example (at 0:12) is a nearly symmetrical mouth tic - one very typical for the Ohio republican (His mouth, midface or eyes are not displaying a microexpression).

What other body language signal(s) do you see in this moment though?

This asymmetrical mouth expression is also a facial tic (captured at 0:16). Note there is no tightening or elevation of Mr. Boehner's "mustache area".











When you watch these three moments in the video, can you distinguish the difference between these examples? How many microexpressions (and the ramifications) have you missed today?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2235:  Barack Obama and John Boehner - The Fiscal Cliff and Contrasting Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2254:  John Boehner's Speech Today - One Major Body Language Improvement - The U.S. Speaker of the House Should Make

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1877:  John Boehner's Open ConsiderationNonverbal Communication Analysis # 1877:  John Boehner's Open Consideration

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2236:  John Boehner & the Fiscal Cliff Plan B Failure - Body Language of Duping Delight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2318:  John Boehner at Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling - A Body Language Signal of Squelching Tears 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2248:  Barack Obama's Body Language regarding  the Republicans & the Fiscal Cliff on  "Meet the Press" 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2318: John Boehner at Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling A Body Language Signal of Squelching Tears

Today in the U.S. Capitol Building's Statuary Hall, John Boehner spoke at the unveiling of the statue of Rosa Parks. A portion of his speech is shown in the above video. At several times the Speaker of the House grew emotional. At multiple times the Congressman Ohio also displayed a classic nonverbal which often is seen prior to tearful episodes - the "Lateral Lip Displacement" (one of which is captured in the image below). This characteristic body language-facial expression is a signal of an effort to squelch the emotional display. The lips, most commonly the lower lip, will contract to one side (here Mr. Boehner's left) and protrude. This can also be seen with a "wrinkling" of the front side of the chin.

This Lateral Lip Displacement (with or without protrusion) may occur without tears, a reddened face (not blushing), facial or head touching (manipulators, adaptors, or pacifiers) or other more obvious signals associated with revealed. When the tempering down of emotions is successful, and tears do not fall, many will be left wondering what the expressions they just saw had meant.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2285:  Emotional Processing during Crying - Body Language of Survivor of Brazilian Nightclub Fire

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2229:  President Obama and a Body Language Signal of  Holding Back Grief, Tears & other Negative Emotions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2210:  Body Language Signaling of an Attempt to Control Emotional Escalation & Display - The Inward Lip Roll

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2177: "I'm Tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney" -  We're all Abigael Evans - Dialing up her Alpha 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2296:  Penelope Soto Apologizes & Avoids 30 Days in Jail -  Body Language Accompanying Sincere Tears & Apology

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2254: John Boehner's Speech Today - One Major Body Language Improvement The U.S. Speaker of the House Should Make

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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 # 2254: John Boehner's Speech Today - One Major Body Language Improvement The U.S. Speaker of the House Should Make

John Boehner (R-OH) was re-elected by his republican colleagues as U.S. Speaker of the House. Of course this speech contains many nonverbals - a couple notables here:

Mr. Boehner's use of his hands is very minimal during this speech. In the world of body language, most hand-arm "gestures" are termed "Illustrators" (although other parts of the body/face can be illustrators as well) while others here fit into what are known as Manipulators, Adaptors or Pacifiers (MAPs). In general, although there are some exceptions, illustrators act to visually "underline", emphasize, accentuate, etc. simultaneous speech (although they can be used in absence of any verbal communication). Illustrators usually involve no self-touching.

MAPs involve of variations self-touching - although some examples of this category of body language may not at first glance seem to fit into this category. MAPs in general (exceptions here too) are signals of anxiety - and these can of course be greatly nuanced with added, layered meanings depending on the specific MAP and the other nonverbals with which they are clustered.

Speaker Boehner, throughout the vast majority of his speech today, used very little illustrators. Most of the time his left hand was placed on top of his right hand, with his right hand held in a loose fist. Such body language (one of many examples of a MAP) in this context is very ill-advised. Rather he would greatly benefit from skillful, congruent and relaxed use of illustrators - for they send signals of honesty, an alpha mindset, confidence and assertiveness. Together with other intangibles these qualities engender rapport. In fact, in face-to-face interactions, if a person does not use his hands, full and objective rapport is very difficult to establish. One who rarely uses his hands-arms (again in a congruent and relaxed manner) projects to her/his audience (even an audience of one) significantly reduced feelings of trust, reduced forthrightness and much less comfort-confidence. Of course, over-use, incongruent and "excessive-alpha" illustrators will backfire and also prevent and/or damage rapport - or worse.

Another under-appreciated MAP displayed several times in the above video is Mr. Boehner's short-lived biting of his right lower lip. Here his subconscious/edge of consciousness is attempting to squelch his emotions as he tries to prevent the display of happy-sad tears. This is well exemplified during the 5:06 - 5:12 segment.

Good luck to the entire 113th Congress.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2078: Mitt Romney's Taxes and Harry Reid's Accusations

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2121: Mitt Romney's 47 Percent - Body Language of the Hidden Video 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2061: David Cameron Defends London Olympics against  Mitt Romney's Remarks - Alpha Dominance and Illustrators - Matching Hands and Feet as Sincerity Amplifiers

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2052: Dialing Up Empathy and Sincerity - Mitt Romney's & Barack Obama's Response to  Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150: Body Language Advice for President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1915: Mitt Romney's Response to Supreme Court's Decision on "Obamacare"

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1083: Brewer's Body Language MAPs Flag Foreboding

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 199:  When a Lie is Told, Heard or Visualized by ....Vladimir's Eye
 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2063: Mitt Romney and Ed Miliband - Under Used and Backfiring Uses of Hands

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2253: Governor Chris Christie's Rant, his Body Language and a Highly Reliable Sign of Anger - and....

Today New Jersey Governor Chris Christie placed the blame for the - at least 66 day delay in disaster relief for victims of Hurricane-Super Storm Sandy squarely on the shoulders of the U.S. House of Representatives majority party - the republicans - and the Speaker of the House, John Boehner. In his rant he said, "There's only one group to blame for the continued suffering of these innocent victims: The House majority and their speaker John Boehner ..." 

Christie also said, "I think, unfortunately, folks are putting politics ahead of their responsibilities," he said. "It's absolutely disgraceful... It's why the American people hate Congress." as well as using adjectives such as "unprecedented" and "outrageous". 

At the 2:16 mark in the video above (and imaged below), Governor Christie displayed a classic and highly reliable signal of anger - lip compression. This particular thinning of his lips (not to be confused with the "Inward Lip Roll") occurs very briefly - almost as short-lived as a microexpression.

Emotions don't always exist in isolation. Not surprisingly, there is another nonverbal signal (indicating another thought-emotion) exemplified in the image below. It's also quite subtle. Can you spot it? What emotion does it betray?

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2100: Ann Romney's and Gov. Chris Christie's Body Language at  GOP Convention - My Guest Commentary on NPR - KPCC Southern California Public Radio  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2174: President Obama, Hurricane Sandy, Body Language and Thumbs Backwards Arms Akimbo

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2222: Corey Booker's Body Language Indicates that  He does NOT want to Run for Governor of New Jersey

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1859: Prince William's Body Language shows Anger at the Queen's Jubilee

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1060: Bill Belichick's Body Language of Anger

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2138: President Obama's Anger-Frustration During Debate -  An Under-Appreciated Body Language Signal 

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1465: Santorum's Anger Eyes - White and Wide  Confrontation with Jeff Zeleny of  The New York Times 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2239: John Boehner's Body Language-Facial Tic of Anxiety vs. Another Facial Expression of Contempt

Many people have inquired about John Boehner's very rapid "smile-like" expressions recently. In the context of negotiations with President Obama regarding the "Fiscal Cliff", he has received more press than usual of late. One of these very evanescent facial expressions appears in the above video at the 0:06 mark. Note its symmetry - with equal elevation on both corners of the mouth. If one were inexperienced at reading nonverbals - or had not watched the U.S. Speaker of the House very much, they may mistake this rapid expression for what is known as a "duping delight". While we all display the duping delight expression occasionally - and Mr. Boehner is no exception (see also: Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2236: John Boehner & the Fiscal Cliff Plan B Failure - Body Language of Duping Delight), this particular expression is something different - a form of a facial tic. John Boehner displays this body language-facial expression very often (and is seen many times in the above segment). It tends to increase with Mr. Boehner's anxiety.

Note another very rapid, but asymmetrical pseudo-smile the congressman makes at the 0:07 mark. The quick "smile-like" elevation occurs much more predominantly on the left side of his mouth. While this asymmetry/mild difference may seem insignificant, this second particular expression conveys a very different emotion - one of contempt. This extremely rapid contempt display is one of many examples of emotions conveyed via microexpressions. Most of the Ohio republican's mouth movements (other than speech) in this segment are consistent with his anxiety-related idiosyncratic facial tic and not contempt related. However this body language is one exception.

See also:

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 457: Salman Rusdie and a Contempt Amplifier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1890: Eric Holder has (Emotional) Contempt toward Darrell Issa - while Rep. Issa is Very Excited to be Seeking  "Contempt of Congress" against Holder

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

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

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 931: Harbaugh's Fear and Anxiety 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1901: Maria Sharapova's Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1876: Noomi Rapace Body Language - Anxiety & False Mastication

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