Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3312: Carly Fiorina's Retort to Trump - Best Moment of the Debate - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In what many regard as Carly Fiorina's best moment from the second Republican Presidential Primary debate (last night) - the former HP CEO was asked by CNN's Jake Tapper, "... In an interview last week in "Rolling Stone Magazine", Donald Trump said the following about you: 'Look at that face. Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?' Mr. Trump later said he was talking about your persona, not your appearance. Please feel free to respond what you think about HIS persona."

Ms. Fiorina answers, "You know it's interesting to me - Mr. Trump said that he heard Mr. Bush very clearly, and what Mr. Bush said. I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said."

After an uncomfortable huge applause and long pause (13 seconds) - Trump responds, "I think she's got a beautiful face and I think she's a beautiful woman."

Despite it only being a 53 second segment, this video has multiple body language teaching moments. One in particular however encapsulates emotions of the moment more than any other. It's captured below during the 0:42 mark.

Throughout a good portion of this exchange, Ms. Fiorina has what many would describe as a stoic face. From a nonverbal perspective, what it indicates specifically though is her subtle-to-mild expression (and thus emotion) of disgust. She maintains this expression longer than most people could in such a scenario. Her doing so in this context projects tenaciousness, determination - and therefore a leadership-strength. Trump changes the orientation of his head/neck, direction of gaze and his torso. While Donald wavers - Carly is unwavering. This contrast alone speaks volumes.

Moreover Trump's expression in this same moment is one of an INsincere smile - what is known as a "Bitter Smile". While attempting to look amused, his primary emotion in this moment is regret. And although he has a ruddy complexion, in this instant it's a bit more reddened - and together with a clenched and thrusting jaw and dimpled chin betrays his accompanying feelings of anger.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3311: Ben Carson to Donald Trump - "He's an Okay Doctor" - Trump's Body Language Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3310: Carly Fiorina's response to Donald Trump's, "Look at that Face!"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3141: Carly Fiorina "Higher than 90%" Chances She's Running for President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2640: Disgust at Denver area School Shooting - Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2443:  Kristen Wiig's Disgust & Fear Face -  Graham Norton, Chris O'Dowd and Fly Eating  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3264: Hillary Clinton, Likability, Perceived Trustworthiness and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3309: Delta State University Shooting (Mississippi) Suspect Shannon Lamb - Body Language Red Flags
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3310: Carly Fiorina's response to Donald Trump's, "Look at that Face!" - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier this month Rolling Stone magazine quoted Donald Trump speaking disparagingly about Carly Fiorina, "Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president? I mean, she's a woman, and I'm not s'posedta say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?"

Carly fought back though - or rather her super PAC - "Carly for America" - did so. The above video - titled, "Look at this Face" is the ad they released just yesterday. One nonverbal display is particularly noteworthy here.

At multiple times when Ms. Fiorina is shown in this video she is displaying a fairly vigorous "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" (SRHW).

The characteristics of the self-righteous head wiggle include:

• A side-to-side movement of the head & neck
• Displayed by a person who has very strong opinions about a specific opinion
• Often feels they've been personally attacked in some way
• Relatively high frequency (speed the is head moving back and forth) - although this may vary
• Amplitude is variable (the amount the head & neck are moving)
• May be of varying duration (microexpression or lasting for several seconds)
• May be isolated or in occurring in clusters
• May have a similar jaw movement component (and sometimes jaw movement is all that's displayed)
• May have a similar movement of the torso or abdomen (also sometimes exhibited in isolation)
• Displayed by an alpha personality or one who believes they are an alpha
• Often seen in a hierarchical setting (e.g. a speaker or "leader" on stage or on camera)
• Accompanied by self-assured emotional vocal tones
• Often the vocal pitch, volume and speed of speech all increase simultaneous with the SRHW
• May have a forward-vectoring additional component (indicating contempt, disgust or incredulity) 
• May have a backward-vectoring component too (indicates arrogance and condescending emotions)

The self-righteous head wiggle is a good example of a body language which must be viewed in the dynamic context of a video - for it's impossible to capture the gist in a video.

Thus in this example Carly Fiorina's display of the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle, is completely normal-for-context and very congruent with her verbal message as well as her vocal qualities. This trifecta (verbal, nonverbal and paralanguage all in agreement - indicates a high sincerity quotient.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3309: Delta State University Shooting (Mississippi) Suspect Shannon Lamb - Body Language Red Flags

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3263: Barack Obama on Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" - The Sarcastic Bobble Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3275: Carly Fiorina, The Republican Debate and Likability (or not) 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3297: 70th Anniversary of the End of World War II - Height, Intimidation and Surrender on the Mighty Mo'

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3255: Donald Trump and a Body Language Signal of Social Fear and Hesitancy  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3271: Donald Trump, Smiling out of Context and Running as an Independent
 
 
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