Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3790: Senator John McCain Believes Russian Election Interference Could 'Destroy Democracy' - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence - (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Whenever performing Body Language Analysis, it's imperative that medical etiologies are not mistaken for Nonverbal causes.

In above video segment Senator John McCain is discussing Vladimir Putin and Russia's interference in the United States electoral process.

You may notice the left side of Senator McCain's face is moderately hypo-reactive relative to his right side (this image was captured during 0:58). This is most noticeable when comparing the right vs. left forehead as well as when contrasting the dynamics of the corners of McCain's mouth. This facial asymmetry is caused by a medical condition - a "Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy" - which, in McCain's case is longstanding (one common sub-type of this condition is known as "Bell's Palsy").

Many nonverbal novices may (very falsely) interpret those with facial nerve palsies as projecting (and thus feeling) the emotion of contempt. That's not to say that individuals who are suffering from facial nerve palsies don't occasionally feel contempt - of course they do. But sussing out the distinctions between medical causes and nonverbal behavior is profoundly important. Knowing these details can make all the difference in the World.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3789: Felicity Jones, Jyn Erso and Tattoos

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3787: Meghan Markle's Body Language - and some Ramifications for Prince Harry

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3785: Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson "Edge of Seventeen" - Behavioral Contagions, Mirroring and Laughing

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3664: Benjamin Netanyahu, Viktor Yanukovych and Vladimir Putin

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3657: Abbey D'Agnostino, Nikki Hamblin and the Olympic Spirit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3563: Ariana Grande, Lip Stick, Microexpressions and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3642: Does Donald Trump Know Vladimir Putin?
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2998: Fugitive Eric Frein Arrested - Body Language Tells often mistaken (PHOTO)

This low resolution image of Eric Frein was taken on Thursday 30 October just after his capture. Frein had been a fugitive since 12 September 2014 after the alleged murder of Pennsylvania officer Bryon Dickson and the alleged attempted murder of another trooper, Alex Douglas and been added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.

Frein's expression in this photo has been repeatedly misidentified by the media. It is intriguing and yet very common that many professionals who are otherwise socially adept repeatedly misidentify subtle and often moderate emotions. Frein's primary emotion in this moment is that of regret. What is his secondary (less prominent) emotion?

It is important to note that with this one image we cannot say what is the source of his regret - yet as majorities would speculate, it is of course most probably not for the crimes he is alleged to have committed - but rather that he was caught, or he is mentally chastising himself for mistakes leading to his capture. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2997: Halloween Haunted Houses - Transitioning from Expressions of Surprise to Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2408:  Sen. Kelly Ayotte's Anxiety & Regret via  Senators Graham & McCain -  Republican Body Language in Response to  President Obama's National Defense University Speech

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2886: Israeli Citizens in the Streets - Body Language of ......

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2956: Eric Frein - Suspect in Murder of Pennsylvania Officer - Body Language Sign of Impeding Violence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2995: 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman - Catcalls, Street Harassment, Body Language, Personal Safety & Threat Assessment

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1109: I Want to Wipe it from My Mind

This man was recently released from a jail in Syria, where among other atrocities, he witnessed a boy being tortured to death. In the recounting of any story, if a person wipes or rubs both eyes (not one eye, for that nonverbal has a completely different meaning), it's as if their psyche is attempting to wipe the memory from their mind. Even those born blind will do this when recounting a story. Intriguingly, it also works for undesirable future events - that is, if you're visualizing an anticipated unpleasant situation - your "mind's eye" routinely constructs such situations in advance (it performs this for pleasant ones as well, of course). If your brain doesn't like what it's "seeing", this body language will very often be displayed. People will often (falsely) believe this just a sign of fatigue. Misinterpretations abound.

See also: Secret # 291: Obama and Biden, Visual-Emotional Blocking

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