Body Language Analysis No. 4300: Donald Trump, Mike Pence, and Water Bottles - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Wednesday, during a meeting at FEMA headquarters regarding the 2018 Hurricane season, Mike Pence displayed a particular nonverbal behavior which has drawn considerable attention.

The video above shows President Trump removing his water bottle from the table with his right hand and then placing it on the floor.

Only 2.7 seconds after President Trump first touches his water bottle - and before he's even returned to an upright posture in his chair, Vice President Pence follows his boss's lead - mirroring Trump almost exactly.

Did you notice that the President's and First Lady's water bottles have a blue color cap vs. all the others?

Trump then moves a napkin onto his lap.

But not before the President looks down to his right - noticing Pence's mimicking behavior.

SUMMARY: When two people hold similar opinions and enjoy good rapport, very often they will, to varying degrees - mirror each other's body language - as well as their vocal qualities and even their word choices. Couples in love do this all the time. Indeed, this is one reason why family members (and others who share living quarters) develop similar mannerisms (as well as their near-constant exposure). In such scenarios, behavior is subconscious 99% of the time.

Thus, it's not surprising that some people will deliberately try to mirror other peoples' body language in efforts to gain their influence and build rapport. Yet such a practice can be a minefield.

Crucially, mirroring another person's behavior, by definition, is insincere and deceptive.

One reason to NOT deliberately mirror another person is that most will do so indiscriminately - copying all behavior - the negative as well as the positive. With this in mind, it's no wonder that pell-mell parroting of body language will destroy rapport - not build it.

In addition, people who routinely rely on mirroring techniques will lower their own confidence levels as they base much of their decision making upon others' opinions - thereby also diminishing their free thinking and creativity.

Moreover, mirroring another person's behavior too exactly in physicality - and too close in time - will become quickly and painfully obvious to even the casual observer. It will then, of course, be accurately interpreted as manipulation and sycophancy.

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4299: Bill Clinton confronted regarding Monica Lewinsky Affair - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 4297: Donald Trump's Fearful Forefinger

Body Language Analysis No. 4295: Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, and Red Flags

Body Language Analysis No. 4293: Why is Harvey Weinstein Smiling?

Body Language Analysis No. 4291: Donald Trump and Disguising Disgust - "I don't know who the hell wrote that line"

Body Language Analysis No. 4257: Mark Zuckerberg Testifies Before The Senate

Body Language Analysis No. 4242: Cambridge Analytica, Alexander Nix, and Deception (Part II)

Body Language Analysis No. 4198: Lupita Nyong'o, Black Panther, and Attention to Detail

Body Language Analysis No. 4167: Gary Oldman, Hugh Jackman, and Compliments

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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. 3770: Fidel Castro, Ed Sullivan and Mirroring - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

This image of Ed Sullivan and Fidel Castro was taken on 11 January 1959 in Cuba. It was only ten days after Castro's forces overthrew President Fulgencio Batista. Castro would be officially sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba on 16 February 1959.

From a body language perspective, it's easy to see that both of these men have their arms folded across their chests (as well as several other variations with the surrounding men). Unbeknownst to Castro, this was one of Ed Sullivan's default body language configurations. And if we could travel back in time in our collective DeLoreans, we'd counsel Mr. Sullivan that his arm crossing didn't build him rapport with his audiences. On the contrary, arm crossing is a rapport destroying nonverbal. Excluding the possibility of relatively low temperatures (thus a person trying to stay warm by decreasing their body surface area), arm crossing is not only a significantly beta behavior (in most settings) - but more specifically it projects a low level of emotional comfort, low confidence and  defensiveness. It can be thought of as a method of "Emotional Blocking".

Arm Crossing body language can also be seen when feelings of hostility and/or impatience are present, which, although these are both certainly rapport destroying behaviors - in certain scenarios these emotions can simultaneously be forms of alpha behavior.

Novices of nonverbal communication may be aware of the phenomenon of mirroring. Mirroring is one tool we all naturally use when we're in strong agreement with another person, have affection for them - or with those to whom we're are sexually attracted (these last to circumstances are not suggested here). Mirroring of another person's body language can be performed deliberately (consciously) - or as it's seen much more often, occurring naturally (subconsciously).

Great care must taken when deliberately mirroring another person - so that it's not performed too exactly (whether with respect to another person's exact physical form - or mirroring too precisely in time [performed immediately after another person changes their body language]) - lest they become aware of possible manipulation or clandestine intent.

In addition, many mirroring novices will mimic negative nonverbal behavior without realizing it (as Fidel Castro is doing here) - thus they not only don't build any rapport - they destroy it.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3767: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on playing Edward Snowden - but How Do Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton feel?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3764: Donald Trump's "A Message from the President-Elect"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3558: Mila Kunis Nixes Ashton Kutcher's choice regarding Their Baby's Name

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3756: Amy Adams, Anxiety and Hesitancy to Disclose 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3514: Casting Rey - The Force Awakens Bonus Features - Daisy Ridley's Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3522: Felicity Jones in New Star Wars Trailer: "Rogue One" - Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3403: "Johnnie Walker - Dear Brother" Commercial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3295: Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Football and Predicting Violent Behavior

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3557: Meghan Trainor Falls on Jimmy Fallon as She Finishes "Me Too" - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTO)

During Thursday's Tonight Show, just as she finished singing "Me Too", Meghan Trainor slipped and fell on stage. In what was of course a very embarrassing moment - and after Ms. Trainor did not stand up immediately - Jimmy Fallon laid down beside her on stage.

Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The video above contains other subject matter as well as Megan Trainor's fall. The image below however, were captured from the original video.

He temporarily and partially blocked the view of the camera and audience - giving Trainor some semblance of privacy - for she was wearing a dress, and she also was recovering emotionally from her mishap. His behavior, was from a nonverbal perspective - a very overt version of "mirroring". It also was an act of empathy - for even though Fallon didn't fall, by positioning himself similarly, he very quickly diffused her embarrassment. Only a person with a relatively high empathy quotient would think of doing this (or more precisely instinctually act without over-thinking it).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3556: Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo Calls Donald Trump "Stupid" While Meeting With London Mayor Sadiq Khan

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3554: Paul Allen, Steph Curry and the "Slack Jaw"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3541: Chris Christie's Wife - Mary Pat's, Reaction to Donald Trump's "Woman Card" Comment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3517: Before His Walk Back, Donald Trump "There Has To Be Some Form of Punishment" to Women who have Abortions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3292: Empathy, Yawning and Dogs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2787: Korean Ferry Sinking, Empathy and Emotional Processing

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2584: Darnell Barton - Hero with Body Language of De-Escalation

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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. 3240: Ariana Grande - Tongues, New Boyfriend, Donuts ... & Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Ariana Grande is in the news and most probably will soon be in the courtroom. The singer was caught on video licking doughnuts which weren't hers and didn't purchase (at Wolfee Donuts in Lake Elsinore, California). She also professed to hate America and Americans.

The incident provides some interesting nonverbal teaching examples. What follows is a partial analysis.

0:08

Ariana's first licking the of a donut

0:13

Mr. new boyfriend follows suit in what is a criminal act of nonverbal mirroring his singer-starlet-significant other.

0:26

Ariana's second licking of the donut

Onlooker/friend (red & green shirt) spots Ariana's faux pas

Friend's eyebrows and forehead elevate and his mouth opens indicative of a facial expression of surprise.

The friend puts his hands on back of head (0:32). In nonverbal parlance this is but one example of an MAP (manipulator, adaptor, pacifier). Most (but not all) MAPs are indicators of significant anxiety - as is this "bilateral behind the head grasp". Yet more specifically in this context this nonverbal signals to us that he is emotionally processing what has transpired. Said another way - his intellect knows what has happen, but his emotional brain has yet to wrap fully around it. Moreover we can say that he doesn't approve of Ariana's action. He believes she is wrong and is embarrassed - despite his friend's fame.

This telling nonverbal may or not involve a full clasping of the hands and it's more often is seen in a partial form expressed with only one hand.

0:36

Ariana's third donut licking

Onlooker/friend in colored shirt with his inner eyebrows elevated along with an elevated central forehead contraction and a mild pseudo-mouth smile. In this cluster context this nonverbal sign projects disbelief/incredulity.

0:38

As he begins to clasp the back of his heads again, the onlooker performs a false hair adjust. This MAP can be seen in isolation or progressing to the grabbing to the back of his head.

0:41

Here the false hair adjust has progressed to holding the back of the head once again.

Ariana Grande's fans find out she has a new boyfriend as they kiss twice during the 0:47 and 0:48 segments.

This additional key nonverbal is seen during 0:54 - 0:56 with the encroachment into their respective personal spaces (intimate spaces) seen in conjunction with a whisper. These two actions are often linked and signal a significant level of affection. If we saw this close proximity whisper alone (without the kisses) it would be have strongly signaled their intimacy.

Ms. Grande curses and makes some rather anti-patriotic comments (0:57 - 1:02):

"What the f_ck is that? - I hate Americans. I hate America." spoken as the donut shop employee comes to their service.

Once again the onlooker assumes his familiar position together with a downward gaze (1:04). He also heavily blushes beginning at 0:54. This onlooker/friend is embarrassed for Ms. Grande. He also believes that Ariana has probably been caught. He was correct.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3239: Gaston Meet and Greet Near Gaston's Tavern, New Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom - and a Characteristic Facial Expression indicating ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3135: Ariana Grande Does a Spot-On Celine Dion Impression on Jimmy Fallon - Body Language Signals of ...

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2514:  Anthony Weiner's Confrontation -  Contrasting and Controlling Anger  Body Language in a Brooklyn Bakery 

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010:  What Makes the Twinkle in Rashida Jones' Eye? 


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

Like many other comedians, Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers routinely use a nonverbal trick which makes it easier for their audiences' to laugh. They constantly slip in and out of expressions - between those of neutral faces - and back to those of partially suppressed smiles. Seeing this fluctuation automatically elevates the mood of everyone who views them thus increasing the likelihood of them smiling too - and therefor laughing as well. There is a strong tendency for us to mirror the facial expressions and body language of others. This sets our emotional bar higher (or lower, depending on the expression) - making it more likely for us to "catch" the humor (or sadness). Humor is an emotional contagion and smiling (or laughing) facilitates it's transmission.

It's also very true that maintaining (or oscillating in and out of) such comedic expressions sets up a positive emotional feed-back loop in those very people displaying it. We make ourselves more joyful. The best mood elevator we have at our disposal is not any drug - but in how we nuance our face (and body) - steering our emotions to more joyful waters.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3228: Barack Obama in Rose Garden - The President regarding Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3227: Bobby Jindal's, "... I am tanned ..." remark - What does his Body Language tell us?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3078: Tom Brady, Deflategate, Deception and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3133: The Red Flag of Robert Durst's Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1287:  Barack Obama & David Cameron - Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2831: "Walking Contest", Anxiety, Mirroring and False Intimacy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3071: Twins Come Out to Dad - The Rhodes Bros - Body Language of Mirroring


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3189: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang & U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry - Body Language - and Contrasts between Obama & Putin (PHOTOS)

Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang has met with United States Secretary of State, John Kerry the past two days (pictured above). Secretary Kerry has also met with Xi Jinping - the Chinese President. And while there is certainly contention on the issue of China's territorial claims and island-building in the South China Sea, the above two diplomats enjoy a good rapport. Note they are angled in towards each other - each with their torsos rotated and their far legs crossed over their near and pointed towards each other. They both are leaning towards the other (Li Keqiang more so) - as well as leaning forward - with their backs away from the chair.

Contrast this with the image below of Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin captured just outside of Moscow in July of 2009. This moment was, of course, well before the annexation of Crimea or the separatist movement in Ukraine came to a head and before the downing of the Air Malaysia Flight 17 over Ukraine - yet Putin's body language posture spoke/continues to speak volumes. His hyper-alpha "man-spreading"/seated crotch display is very much a body language expression of dominance. Moreover he's not directing his lower body toward Mr. Obama - in very deliberate non-acknowledgment of the then, newly elected American leader. President Obama is rotated both in upper and lower body towards Mr. Putin. Obama's back is away from the chair, leaning forward. Vladimir is having none of it. He's got his back against the chair and is slouching. This is very similar to what we would expect a defiant high-school boy being reprimanded by his principle/headmaster and (internally) saying, "I'm here because I have to be, but you are beneath me." Putin's elevated central forehead contraction with a trace mouth pseudo-smile is screaming incredulity, contempt, arrogance and dismissive emotional tones.


Both the Chinese and the Russians are shrewd diplomats - and certainly, one photo does not foreign policy make - yet body language does not lie. The Chinese will no doubt take a firm stand on the South China Sea and various other issues - however they want to get along. They want diplomacy. Vladimir simply doesn't care.

A Reminder: 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 or religious agenda.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3188: "Sending my friend into the wrong house" Viral Video - How We Hold Our Arms When We're Embarrassed ... and Running

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2317:  "The Rescuing Hug" -  Body Language of Human Touch & Kangaroo Care

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2436:  Vladimir Putin next to Barack Obama -  2013 G8 - Body Language
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3135: Ariana Grande Does a Spot-On Celine Dion Impression on Jimmy Fallon - Body Language Signals of .... (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Ariana Grande was a guest last Friday on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.  Early on in her appearance she self-deprecates while admitting "... I'm so nervous ..." (as this was her first appearance speaking on any talk show). What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis highlighting some of the singer-actress's body language.

0:09

Ariana Grand biting her nails in significant and obvious anxiety.

0:43

Prolonged Eyelid Closure and Hard Swallow just after Jimmy Fallon says, ".... I've heard you do, ah, Celine Dion ...."

Indicative of high levels of anxiety and emotional processing (These two very often occur simultaneously).

 

 

0:44

Ariana is looking down - the timing of which is indicating anxiety and possibly deception.

Brief Suppressed Mouth Smile - which suggests a prior knowledge of this "spontaneous Celine request".

0:44.5

Trace Fear-Anxiety facial expression

What are the subtle configuration changes on Ms. Grande's face which indicate this particular emotional tone?

0:48

A subtle but very characteristic Mouth of Fear

0:48.7

Looking Down with Mouth Covering & Nose Touch

Emotional processing of what Ariana's intellect knows - but her psyche has yet to fully grasp the significance of (Although she has pretended to be Celine many times - Ms. Grande has not done so during a talk show - especially The Tonight Show). The timing of this nose touch is highly indicative that her Celine Dion imitation was choreographed. 

Ariana's impression of Celine Dion was indeed spot-on - both with her voice and her body language (1:52).

It's profoundly important to note that in the act of mirroring another person's nonverbal idiosyncrasies - the easier it's also to imitate their vocal qualities.




See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2914: François Hollande, Anxiety and Dialing up his Alpha

Nonverbal Analysis No. 1820: What Causes David Beckham's Greater Anxiety -  Barack Obama Teasing Him About His Age or His Underwear?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2281:  Inaugural Luncheon Anxiety  Barack Obama's Body Language  Michelle's Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2831: "Walking Contest", Anxiety, Mirroring and False Intimacy

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2096:  Canadian Tenors, Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen) and Celine Dion

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3108: Kim Jong-un Haircut & mirroring his Deceased Dad - Kim Jong-il (PHOTOS)

While many in the media have poked fun at Kim Jong-un, his recent change in "style" gives us insight into what is going on in the North Korean leader's mind.

This image is a couple years old. He looks boyish. Some of his advisers may have told him so - but of course they would have risked their lives in doing so (Remember he had his uncle killed in 2013).

Kim Jong-un has changed his haircut, donned some glasses and trimmed his eyebrows to an even greater degree.

Why has he done this?

North Korea's "Supreme Leader" wants to look like his dad. Kim Jong-un is mirroring his deceased father, Kim Jong-il.

It could be that Kim Jong-un feels that others will respect him if he looks more like his father - the people of North Korea, his subordinates - or perhaps other heads-of-state. It's also possible that he has a type of identity disorder or an inferiority complex.





It's one thing to change your hair, it's quite another to want to look like daddy on such a public stage. Such an action suggests Kim Jong-un is psychologically unstable. Is he trying to "show" his father something? Is he trying to "prove" to us that he is as tough as his father? His behavior is a red flag. There is a high likelihood that this portends geopolitical chess moves or possibly worse.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3107: Erich Milton Nowsch Jr. - Las Vegas Road Rage Suspect - Body Language of Predicting Violence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2367:  North Korea, Jay Carney and  Body Language Tells from the White House Press Room

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3044: Barack Obama regarding "The Interview", North Korea and His Choice in Films

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1705:  North Korean Statues of Kim Jong-il & Kim Il-sung

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2924: Michael Brown, Captain Ron Johnson, Church Rally and Ferguson, Missouri - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2647: Vladimir Putin regarding Edward Snowden, What Does the Russian Leader Think? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2892: Alexander Borodai - Donetsk's People's Republic Prime Minister (Pro-Russian Separatist Leader) interview with Chris Cuomo regarding Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3081: More Bill Belichick Body Language Deception Deflategate Tells 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3071: Twins Come Out to Dad - The Rhodes Bros - Body Language of Mirroring (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Austin and Aaron Rhodes have become YouTube personalities in the last six months and now have a considerable following. Yesterday the Rhodes Bros uploaded a particularly important video. The twins are gay and they had already come out to everyone in their family - except for their Dad who lives in another state. While they didn't want their father to find out via the Internet - this was the way they chose to tell the rest of the World. So they recorded the call to their dad along with their reactions to telling him.

There is a myriad of nonverbals tells during this 8:36 video. Many of these body language signals fit into a class of behaviors known as MAPs (an acronym for Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) - which were mostly facial touching and hand/arm touching. In the context of this video & emotional conversation, most of these MAPs are general anxiety indicators (although very often and certainly several MAPs contained here can be more correlated with more specific emotions).

What is extremely interesting in this video interaction, is that as the emotional tension crescendos, not only do the MAPs of course increase in frequency (as expected), but the frequency and exactitude of their mirroring increases dramatically.

Mirroring is seen when people like each other and are of similar emotional mindsets - so it's not surprising at all that family members and especially twins mirror each other. The Rhodes Bros however mirror each other much more often than is typically seen. The closer they get to the point of telling their father pulls their entire mind-brain-bodies into increasing degrees of synchronicity - so that some moments almost seem choreographed (although they're not).

1:04

Near-mirroring

1:49

Near-mirroring








 

2:09

Near-mirroring

Note Aaron's (our right) central forehead contraction

2:09.5

Same side near-mirroring

Aaron touches/rubs tip of his nose

2:10

Austin almost touches his nose - thus mirroring Aaron from 1/2 second earlier (partial mirroring and slightly delayed)

2:20

Strong Mirroring

Both brothers turning away and down

2:25.5

Austin's Central Forehead Contraction
(CFC) - and (together with his mouth configuration) is highly consistent with high sincerity, high empathy and emotional pain

2:28

Mirroring head/neck configurations

Each turning away and down

2:41

Mirroring very closely with both their head/necks and hands/arms

 2:51

Same side Mirroring

3:08

Near-Mirroring

3:45

Just after Aaron (our right) told their Dad that he and Austin are gay

Strong Mirroring

 3:50

Near perfect mirroring

3:51

A second later they simultaneously each reached to rub the opposite eye vs. what they each were touching one second earlier (see above 3:50)

As many may expect, as soon as they told their father they were gay, the frequency and degree of MAPs decreased dramatically (not quite as much with Austin).







See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3070: George Zimmerman's Latest Mugshot - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2394:  Three Brothers from Cleveland  Onil, Pedro and Ariel Castro -  Kidnapping, Innocence, Guilt & Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2901: Sadie doesn't want her brother to grow up - Body Language of Sincere Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2055:  Three Wise Monkeys - Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil - Body Language Interpretation vs. Traditional Symbolism

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2811: Jason and David Benham are Dropped from HGTV - Body Language of Subtle Contempt, Anger & Disgust

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


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