Body Language Analysis №4707: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at The Al Smith Dinner - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

Do you recall this moment from the 2016 Al Smith Dinner? It exemplifies some profoundly classic Body Language.

 

 

One characteristic of both a sincere smile and sincere laughter (that’s rarely cited) is retraction of the mandible (a backward vectoring of the jaw) — as is clearly displayed in this profile-view of Hillary Clinton.

Whenever a smile is sincere, the jaw retracts, at least a bit, backward. This movement is often not to the more pronounced degree we see in this example, but it always occurs.

Indeed, so long as you’re first “smiling with your eyes” (eyelids partially [or even fully] closed along with concave-up furrows in each of your lower eyelids), the act of simply by retracting one’s jaw — will often precipitate a sincere smile or even sincere laughter.

Another useful body language tool in this moment to project sincere smile/laughter is recalling a personal hilarious moment and/or someone you love laughing deeply.

 

 

Note the expression on Donald Trump’s face in this moment — it’s one of classic Contempt. 

 

 

In addition, Trump’s left hand is positioned in front of and just above his groin — in a modified (partial) Fig Leaf configuration (aka, Genital Guarding). He’s subconsciously feigning an adjustment of his vest in an attempt at camouflaging his thought-emotions.

He feels threatened and intimidated by Hillary Clinton. Moreover, at the time of this image (20 October 2016), Trump believed Hillary Clinton would win the Presidential Election.

SUMMARY: An important and oft overlooked component of a sincere smile and sincere laughter is a retraction of the jaw. You can even elicit a sincere smile and/or sincere laughter by pulling your jaw backward (when in conjunction with an eye-smiling), (please see above).

Crucially, when jaw retraction is absent, what you might think is a sincere smile or laughter — is being feigned.

In the image included above, Donald Trump’s contempt for Hillary Clinton is clearly demonstrated amidst a moment of Hillary Clinton’s sincere joy-happiness-laughter.

All individuals, businesses, or organizations who want to (need to) dramatically improve their #BodyLanguage skills (via group or individual instruction) — and all professionals who want to nuance their understanding of #EmotionalIntelligence, please DM or email me at Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

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This post and others accompanying it, serve as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. 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.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3842: Bill Belichick and Julian Edelman - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Bill Belichick doesn't seem to smile much, let alone laugh. However after such a phenomenal Super Bowl LI victory and his fifth Championship Ring, the Patriots' Head Coach let down his guard on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show.

 



This moment shows an excellent example of Sincere Laughter (5:35). Moreover Belichick's laughter is also quite deep.

Sincere laughter may have a forehead which is relaxed or contracted - but during sincere smiling the forehead is ALWAYS relaxed.

True Laughter may show both upper and/or lower teeth, while sincere smiling ONLY displays upper teeth (with the exceptions of smiling crescendoing to, or decrescendoing from sincere laughter - or with a high camera/visual angle and/or with a tilting down of the head).

Sincere smiling ALWAYS has eye lids which partially or nearly entirely closed. This is also ALWAYS accompanied by a dynamic, concave-up furrow in the lower eyelids. This is well exemplified on both Bill Belichick and Julian Edelman. During sincere laughter which is both sincere and deep, the eye lids virtually always close - often very tightly.

Congratulations to the New England Patriots for what many will say was the most exciting football game they've ever seen.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3841: Tom Brady's and Roger Goodell's Handshake after Super Bowl LI

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3839: Andrew Garfield, Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling - Embarrassment, Protection, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3837: Donald Trump's Contentious Phone Call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3823: Nina Dobrev, Flyboarding, Laughter and a Rapport/Bonding Amplifier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3809: Horse Lays His Head On Coffin As He Mourns The Loss Of His Human Best Friend - Cross-Species Body Language & Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3801: Marion Cotillard, Lip Syncing and Honest Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3769: Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3693: Grace VanderWaal Wins America's Got Talent Season 11


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3823: Nina Dobrev, Flyboarding, Laughter and a Rapport/Bonding Amplifier - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Nina Dobrev was recently a guest on The Tonight Show promoting her recent film xXx: Return of Xander Cage.

When Jimmy Fallon wanted to see a video of Ms. Dobrev Flyboarding, and after the wrong video was shown - and then shown again, a wonderful nonverbal display was exemplified.

Beginning at 1:57 and lasting for about two seconds (and captured in the image below at 1:58) after beginning to laugh - Nina Dobrev leans toward Jimmy Fallon with her head and torso.

Laughter is primarily a bonding and rapport phenomena. Most people are surprised to find out that the vast majority of the time, humor is secondary. And in those scenarios when humor is the primary reason we laugh - bonding and rapport building remain major components of the overall behavior. In this moment, Dobrev initiates the lean toward Fallon. Although Fallon was forcing his laughter (because he had foreknowledge of the prank) and Nina was "feeling it more" (sincere in her laughter) - Jimmy still reciprocates Nina's leaning. This is a natural thing to do even if we feel a little bit friendly toward the other person. Thus we also see here an excellent example of another body language behavior - that of "Mirroring". Without trying to, Dobrev very naturally amplified their (platonic) bond.

Although this action may be seen between any two people (someone whom we just met or with platonic friendships), the frequency of this nonverbal behavior occurs in proportion to the level of affection between those involved. Indeed in some of these circumstances the leaning toward another person progresses to head touching - usually involving the regions near the eye and/or temple. It also may involve touching the hand, arm, shoulder or upper back (although this second type of touching is also affectionate and amplifies bonding and rapport, it is not as intimate as head touching).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3822: Betsy DeVos Confirmation Hearing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3820: Mr. Trump: "Who would you trust more, Angela Merkel or Vladimir Putin?"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2818: Representative John Lewis: "Donald Trump Won’t Be A ‘Legitimate President' 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3801: Marion Cotillard, Lip Syncing and Honest Anxiety 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Predicting Empathy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3704: Hillary Clinton, Likability and Presidential Debates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3623: Donald Trump's VP Pick - Mike Pence & Chris Christie 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3573: Angela Merkel, the G7, Destroying Rapport and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3785: Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson "Edge of Seventeen" - Behavioral Contagions, Mirroring and Laughing - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

One example of Nonverbal Behavior which is both interesting and joyful - is that the mere act of watching others laughing has a strong tendency to make us laugh as well. Thus laughing is one example of a "Behavioral Contagion" as well as type of "Mirroring". This phenomenon of "catching laughter" is true even if we don't find the subject about which they're laughing particularly funny, if we don't know what they are laughing about - or even if we don't speak their language.

It's not too surprising that laughter is more common with family and friends vs. acquaintances or those people whom we haven't met. Of course the vast majority of those watching this video don't know Hailee Steinfeld or Woody Harrelson - although we may some affinity for them through their acting (or Ms. Steinfeld via her music). If you have a particular foreknowledge or fondness for one or both of these actors - you'll most likely find it easier to laugh with them in the "blooper" section of the above video (1:19 - 1:49) from their recently released film, Edge of Seventeen.

It's also true that when we see another person suppressing laughter - it further "primes" our brain to mirror their behavior and engenders the odds of us crescendoing into a deep laughter. Although we laugh 30 times more frequently when we're in the presence of others, comedians often use this technique of maintaining an expression of a barely-contained laughter as a catalyst to make their audiences' belly-laugh more easily. You can even practice this on yourself as a spontaneous mood elevator or in the presence of others whenever your instinct tells you that laughter may act as a social lubricant (which is of course, very often).

Think of a particular comedian or funny film scene which has this effect on you. Watching the performance several times so that you can recall it easily will allow you to access the memory and re-create the scene (and thus also the true emotions) in your psyche. This is a variation on the Stanislavski method. Of course you probably can recall several movie scenes which has this enjoyable emotional trigger for you - and after watch Harrelson and Steinfeld you may now have another scene to add to your collection (especially since you now know some of the backstory).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3784: Donald Trump on Daily Intelligence Briefings - "You Know I'm like a Smart Person" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3782: Zoey Deutch, Ryan Seacrest and Embarrassment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3780: Donald Trump's Chief Strategist Steve Bannon Time Magazine Pic

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3743: Ronda Rousey's Anxiety - Anticipating Her Next Fight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3736: Newt Gingrich and Megyn Kelly re: Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3619: Lone Protester, Baton Rouge Police and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3512: Emilia Clarke, "Me Before You"


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3781: Emma Stone and a Sign of Sincere Laughter - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last week Emma Stone was a guest on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show. During the show, Stone and Fallon played a "What am I Lip-Syncing?" game ("Whisper Challenge").

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

After guessing Fallon's rendition of Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA (2:46), stone began laughing, bent far forward - while almost putting her head between her knees.

She eventually sat up and most people would say she appeared to be laughing sincerely. Yet Emma is an actress - so could Stone be fooling us? Could her laughter be feigned?

If we flash back a few seconds earlier (2:53 - 2:55), we notice that Emma Stone's (right) ankle bends inward (medially) in what is known as the "Weak Ankle Sign". This turning or bending in of the ankle is an extremely common behavior during sincere deep laughter. While it is more commonly displayed by women in high-heeled shoes, it is certainly seen in those wearing "flats" and it's also seen in men.

Intriguingly, the weak ankle sign is also displayed during crying (Both laughing and crying are emotional phenomena of "release" - occasions when we [temporarily] let others see feelings which we otherwise "hold in").


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3780: Donald Trump's Chief Strategist Steve Bannon Time Magazine Pic

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3778: Steve Harvey Recounts His Miss Universe Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3776: VP Elect Mike Pence Defends Trump's Claim of Voter Fraud

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3759: Nicole Kidman's and Jimmy Fallon's Almost Date Redux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3710: Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte Compares Himself With Hitler

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3670: Paul LePage's Voicemail Rant

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3690: Stan Wawrinka beats Novak Djokovic to win US Open

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2802: Emma Stone & Jimmy Fallon Lip Sync Battle


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3746: Alicia Keys, Questlove, Krispy Kremes and Connecting the Dots - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show, Questlove gave Alicia Keys a gift of Krispy Kreme Donuts.

When Ms. Keys opened the gift she made the expression below (0:28). Note how her jaw is retracted, her eyes are "smiling" (partially closed eyelids [both the upper and lower lids] together with concave-up furrows in the lower eyelids). Key's face is also blushing.

This cluster is indicative of sincere surprise (a nonverbal variation of surprise rarely discussed) - with the additional emotional components of (sudden) realization along with embarrassment.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3745: Kris Bryant Smiles Throughout the Entire Last Play of Game Seven

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3743: Ronda Rousey's Anxiety - Anticipating Her Next Fight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3741: Bryan Cranston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Weddings and Tears

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3739: Hillary Clinton's Statement regarding FBI Probe

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3737: Donald Trump Rips His Notes at End of 3rd Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3735: Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Mean Tweets

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3733: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part IV - The Turning Point of the Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3697: NYC Bombing Suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami in Custody - Body Language, Threat Assessment and Emotional Intelligence



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3532: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and The Graham Norton Show - Body Language Expert (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

As usual, The Graham Norton show is hilarious - and this clip is no exception. Also typical, but oft overlooked - the body language examples showcased here. In this recent appearance of Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, Ms. Streep shows off her improv skills as she answers an otherwise rhetorical and slightly sarcastic question of Mr. Grant's.

Hugh Grant (beginning at 1:19): "... Who was the third one?"

Graham Norton: "Ah, Drew Barrymore."

Grant: "She made the mistake of giving me notes. Which a, how would you take that?" [shifting his eye contact to Meryl Streep]

Streep: [Laughing] Well

Grant: "You're acting with someone and they?"

Streep: [over-talking] "I took ..."

Grant: [over-talking] "they, they ..." [inaudible]

Steep: "... them very well, didn't I?" [laughing while shifting her gaze at Hugh Grant]

Grant: "Wowser!"

Ms. Streep laughs and then leans toward Mr. Grant rather dramatically. This leaning toward another person during laughter is a both a nonverbal signal of sincerity - as well as a rapport amplifier.

Psychological research shows that laughing is primarily a bonding phenomenon much more than a pure reaction to humor. This is well exemplified during the viewing of films and TV - for we laugh and cry more frequently and more deeply during comedy when we're with other people (and more specifically when we're part of a larger audience) versus when we are viewing the same material alone.

Moreover, leaning toward another person (only after a sufficient degree of baseline rapport has been established - which is a crucial point which cannot be emphasized enough), in the presence of underlying sincere laughter, will act as a rapport-building amplifier. However note that Hugh Grant does not lean in and also doesn't return much laughter either. This lack of reciprocal action is a form distancing and dissing behavior (serving to destroy rapport). Thus afterward, Meryl Streep may very well be left with a feeling of emotional distance and dislike for Grant - particularly because this occurred in such a public venue.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3531: Helen Mirren, Subways, Sincerity, Empathy and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3530: Justin Trudeau, Quantum Computing and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3528: Brothers Prank their younger sister with an ongoing Zombie Apocalypse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3523: Jaws - "You're Going to Need a Bigger Boat"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3508: Batman V Superman - Sad Affleck? (NOT!)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3479: Vicente Fox regarding Donald Trump's Proposed Wall - ‘I’m not going to pay for that F***ing wall!’

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3425: Donald Trump's first Campaign Ad Commercial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3448: Ted Cruz's Challenge to Debate Donald Trump One-on-One; Cruz's Default Facial Expression

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3432: Leonardo DiCaprio reacts to Lady Gaga at Golden Globe Awards (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards, Leonardo DiCaprio won the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in The Revenant (which also won for Best Motion Picture - Drama). Yet what received more attention in the short term was DiCaprio's reaction when Lady Gaga bumped into him on her way up to accept her award for Best Performance in a Miniseries or Television Film for her role in American Horror Story: Hotel.

This interaction is included as a portion of the video above and provides an excellent example of some fundamental - yet commonly misunderstood nonverbal signals (for almost everyone misinterpreted this facial expression on this occasion).

0:09.2

Sincere laughter and sincere smile on Leonardo DiCaprio.

Lady Gaga had yet to make contact with him.

0:09.5

DiCaprio's face displays a sincere smile giving way to (temporarily and simultaneous with) the rapid microexpression appearance of a "Mouth of Fear". Of course this is simple social fear.

Watching this portion of the video you will note that Leonardo makes an "Eyebrow Flash" with his eyelids still partially closed (as is required for a sincere smile).

0:10

Dicaprio's sincere smile is nearly gone from his face - as his mouth takes on more of a fear component - albeit mild.








Why is Leonardo rubbing/scratching near his right eye/nose?

Conclusion: DiCaprio's explanation of, "I just didn't know what was passing me, that's all, I was like, 'Ooooh!' " - is an honest (subjective) account. From a body language analysis we can say more specifically (and objectively) that Leo had a momentary social fear response followed by an embarrassment-disbelief-emotional processing response.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3431: El Chapo, Sean Penn, an Interview and a Handshake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3386: Lady Steals from KID! Black Friday 2015 - Body Language of Assault

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3429: Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward met with Ammon Bundy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3426: Barack Obama, Executive Action, Gun Control and Tears  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3421: Jennifer Lawrence, Eddie Redmayne and Emotional Comfort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3400: Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon, Visual Recall and "Truth or Truth" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3331: Mila finds out Adam Levine got married - Rapid Transitioning of Emotion

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3338: Brie Larson, Jimmy Fallon and a common Body Language Signal of Sexual Display and/or Sexual Attraction

 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3398: Orangutan Sees a Magic Trick - Bonding, Rapport and Laughter - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Laughing is not as much about humor as it is a bonding and rapport-building phenomenon. Moreover, when we lean toward or touch the other person during laughter, this effect is amplified (It's crucial however that before this leaning-in or touching takes place, there has to be some foundation of good rapport established).

Despite being behind glass this orangutan tried to touch the man who performed the "magic trick"
during his laughter. The orangutan knew the glass was there, yet he instinctively reached to touch him. This nonverbal behavior is deeply ingrained in our brains - and this is a beautiful example of just HOW deep it goes - for this body language is true for humans and other primates.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3397: Close Encounter - Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Ryan Gosling - SNL - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3028: Chris Rock's (and other Comedians) Body Language Trick that Gets You Laughing Easier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2887 Derek Jeter, Smiles, Laughter and Body Language Nuance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2508: Anne Frank, Sincere Smiles and Emotional Comfort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3229: Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers and a SNL Reunion - REALLY!?! - a Body Language Trick of Comedians

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3389: Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama meet in Paris - Body Language Faux Pas  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3387: Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, The Graham Norton Show and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3384: Donald Trump Repeats Controversial 9/11 Claims - Body Language Tells  
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3397: Close Encounter - Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Ryan Gosling - SNL - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong and Ryan Gosling starred in a recent Saturday Night Live skit as victims of an alien abduction. The three are being interviewed by NSA special agents played by Aidy Bryant and Bobby Moynihan.

If you haven't watched this video, you must - if nothing else, you will laugh your A** off.

There is however, another reason to view this video. Most comedians will employ a nonverbal trick which lowers the audience's laughter threshold - they speak/perform while maintaining a partial sincere smile (e.g., Chris Rock does this very effectively). As human beings, when we see another person, laughing, smiling, crying, angry, disgusted, etc., - we will tend to feel the same emotions they are feeling - and then express these on our faces and bodies. This is known as mirroring behavior - and it's engendered varying degrees by empathy. Not surprisingly, the neurons which facilitate this are known as "Mirror Neurons" aka "Empathy Neurons".

The comedians in this hilarious SNL skit are acting however - as opposed to performing a monologue. When they break character - while sincerely trying not to (failing at suppressing their laughter) - it makes the already funny script/good acting much funnier. Many people will even get a high level of laughter watching this repeatedly. It's also interesting to note that the one professional dramatic actor (Gosling) has the most difficulty "staying in character".

Another very valuable distinction here - is that those who can reliably initiate and maintain a partial (but sincere) smile, will find it to be a profoundly potent mood-elevator.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3396: President Obama's Oval Office Address - Dialing up The Alpha - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3393: Syed Rizwan Farook, Tashfeen Malik, San Bernardino Shooting and Predicting Violent Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3390: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Henry Cavill is portraying what emotions? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3377: Holly Holm's post-fight interview after defeating Ronda Rousey 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3365: Carly Fiorina on "The View" - Destroying Likability and Lowering Charisma 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3392: Donald Trump to Republican Jewish Coalition   

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3353: Melissa Benoist's Body Language regarding Jeb Bush's Supergirl "Hot" comment  

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2926: Baby Hears Lion's Roar for First Time - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This is a darling video and fun to watch. From a nonverbal point-of-view it illustrates some excellent examples of body language tells fundamental to all human beings.

The eyelids open very wide in a primal expression of surprise when this little one initially hears the lion's roar.

A surprise mouth may be characterized either by a vertically oriented oval mouth - or as seen here - a slightly opened relaxed-appearing mouth (aka "slack jawed" appearance).

In the presence of sincerity - surprise is almost always rapidly followed by a second emotion (What is the only exception to this rule?). Here surprise replaced by fear. Note the corners of the baby's mouth pulled out (laterally) and downward. This is less noticeable to many because of the lack of teeth. Lower teeth are more exposed in the context of fear. 

When the lion roars again, this little angel relapses back into eyes that are "white and wide" with more slack jaw of surprise.

This time the emotion which supplants surprise is joy - manifested here by laughter. 










With the exception of psychological shock (e.g. watching or hearing about a severe care accident, an unexpected death, other major life events, etc.), when the expression of surprise lasts longer than just a few seconds - it is being acted out or exaggerated upon and thus is a form of deception or insincerity.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2925: Governor Rick Perry's Mug Shot - What Emotions are Present?

Negotiation Secret # 56:  Surprise with a Touch of Fear

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1261:  True Surprise - Rarely Captured  IMF Director Christine Lagarde

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2170:  The San Francisco Giants, Surprise,  Bird Poop and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2653: Carey Mulligan - Blunted Surprise and ... Body Language on Jimmy Kimmell, Part I

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2438:  Sincere Surprise Body Language  Three Year Old Receives Brain Stem Implant and  Hears for the First Time

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1171:  Not So Fast Swift ....  Taylor's False Surprise
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2887 Derek Jeter, Smiles, Laughter and Body Language Nuance (PHOTOS)

In his final all star game last night, Derek Jeter went 2 for 2 with a lead off double and a single.

IThese two images may look similar - yet from a nonverbal point-of-view there is an important distinction to be made. In this first image, the Yankee Shortstop has the all the components of a true sincere (Duchenne) smile: a relaxed (uncontracted) forehead, partially closed eyelids, a dynamic and concave-up furrow in the lower eyelids and upward-vectored cheeks.

Sincere smiles which are suppressed may have (surprising to many) a closed mouth and not even show any teeth. Yet in full and sincere smiles when the teeth are seen - only the upper ones should be visible - with a few exceptions: The lower teeth may be visible during a sincere smile if the line of sight affords such an angle (e.g. a camera looking downwards or a tall person looking down at a shorter person may see their bottom teeth). Additionally, if a sincere smile is held too long, fatigue sets in and the lower teeth may become exposed.

The lower teeth are also very often exposed in the context of sincerity - if there is a component of true laughter (although the other components of a smile laughter also must be present) - as the Captain of the New York Yankees shows here. 








It is extremely common to see the lower teeth exposed and even very over displayed during insincere smiles (see: Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2546: Miss America Nina Davuluri, A Beautiful Woman - but What of Her Smile?)

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1905:  Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2482:  Alex Rodriguez's Sincerity  Body Language of a One-Sided Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2868: Queen Elizabeth II, Lena Headey, Game of Thrones and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2515:  Eliot Spitzer vs. Scott Stringer  Insincere Smile with Anger Component  Body Language and the NYC Comptroller Race 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2870: Cate Blanchett and a Subtle Body Language Signal of Insincere Laughter (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

She is one the most gifted actors of her generation. Here Lesley Stahl interviews Cate Blanchett on "60 Minutes". And although she is amazingly talented, when being herself .... and not Queen Elizabeth I, Bob Dylan or Galadriel - she gives away an amazing amount of nonverbal tells (like the rest of us).

This image, captured during 11:40, shows Cate's jaw jutting forward during a laugh. This is a strong and reliable body language signal that Ms. Blanchett was not sincere in her laughter. She was feeling anger her and was camouflaging it and dampening it with laughter.

This is a particularly important principle and it's rarely discussed in the nonverbal literature. Very often though - one form of body language is used to disguise another. Most people - particularly in the context of an interview which such an amazing actress - would never doubt Cate's laughter or question her true feelings.  The more adept you are at sussing out these signals, the less you will suffer in business and your personal life.


 
A few seconds earlier (beginning at 11:32), Lesley Stahl says, "You're 44 years-old."

Blanchett responds, "Am I? We don't need to discuss that, we don't need to rub that in ...."

At three times during this statement we also saw the jaw jut displayed (coincident with words highlighted in red), Cate's chin juts forward.

Loads of other body language signals are leaked by Ms. Blanchett. Did the Oscar winning actress fool you?

See also:

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 # 2039:  Fight Outside Florida Courtroom -  Jaw Jut Prior to Violence

Negotiation Secret # 47:  Jaw Jut and Mid-face Tightening - Pete Carroll 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2838: Robert De Niro, Graham Norton and Acting Advice - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2824: Michael Jace ("The Shield" Actor) Arrested for Alleged Murder of His Wife - Body Language Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2762: Pepsi Max's "Unbelievable" Bus Shelter Video - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Pepsi rigged up a bus shelter recently and pulled a series of pranks on some innocent Londoners. This project was very creative and the resulting video (above) is a good source of laughter. It's also some pretty good marketing for Pepsi Max "Unbelievable" - as it has gone viral. The video is included here for it is a great source of some nonverbal signals.

When feeling the emotion of fear, one body language display that is extremely common for both men and women - is the clutching of their sternum and manubrium while simultaneously closing a coat or shirt.

This woman's eyelids are also mildly elevated. 

What else signifies fear in this moment?

The moment before this image, this guy eyes displayed a beautiful example of a "double take" (see video during 0:32).

In this instant he displays his disbelief with an elevated left eyebrow (relative to his right side).

An instant later his eyelids open wider in a subtle yet significant display of fear. 

This gentleman's central forehead is contracted (CFC) in addition to a very mild fear expression displayed on his mouth.

He begins to pull his phone away from his ear as his psyche attempts to process what he's seeing. 

Somewhat similar to the image above this guy displays mild-to-moderately higher component of fear on his mouth.

His left eye in particular is opened extra-widely in fear. 

A fraction of a second later (and through the bus windshield) his fear becomes greater as the corners of his mouth are directed further downward as his left eye opens even wider.

This man is displaying the body language of sincere and full laughter. It is similar to that of a sincere smile with the exception of one component - his bottom teeth are displayed (with some minor exceptions, this is not so with a sincere smile).





Note also the concave-up dynamic furrows of his lower eyelids, his upward directed cheek muscles and his relaxed (non-contracted and smooth forehead).

This man knows that the bus shelter is rigged - and yet he cannot resist getting to his feet when his brainstem directs him to ... as it attempts to react in a flight response as a Bengal tiger coming towards him (Thus an example of emotional dissonance).




Pay attention to a person's feet - they often are the most telling components to a quality nonverbal interpretation. 

After figuring out the trick and dancing for the camera - this woman grows rapidly embarrassed.

Rapid mouth cover with blushing and laughter is highly consistent with embarrassment. It also can be seen with a partially suppressed or fully sincere smile.



See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2486:  Katie Holmes on David Letterman and the  "Social Etiquette Fear Face"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2338:  Why Does Keit Pentus-Rosimannus feel Fear?  Body Language of Estonia's Minister of Environment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2418:  Startle vs. Surprise  Body Language in the Yankees & Red Sox Dugouts

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2653: Carey Mulligan - Blunted Surprise and ... Body Language on Jimmy Kimmell, Part I

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1171:  Not So Fast Swift ....  Taylor's False Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2761: What Specific Dance Qualities makes a Hetero Man Attractive to Women? The Body Language of Dancing

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