Body Language Analysis No. 4200: Mike Pence re: Rob Porter and Why It Seems Pence is "Out Of The Loop" on Major News • Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Thursday, while in Japan, Vice President Pence was asked about the allegations against Rob Porter, the now-former staff Secretary for President Trump. On Wednesday it was made public that both of Mr. Porter's former wives have accused him of physical and emotional abuse. Jenny Willoughby, his second wife, sought and received an emergency protective order against him. Mr. Porter has denied the allegations and yesterday, after these reports became public, he resigned as President Trump's Staff Secretary. Mr. Porter had been dating Hope Hicks, the White House Communications Director, at the time of his resignation.

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of Vice President Pence.

FIRST JOURNALIST (beginning at 0:00): Going to turn back to home Ω - there ah - I was wondering if you could ah, comment on the allegations against Rob Porter the ah, President's Staff Secretary. Ah, when were you made avail, ah, aware of those allegations and how - and then, additionally there are reports now that General Kelly and others at the White House had been aware of these allegations for several months and have been trying to deal with them and p- protect him ∆. Do you believe the President is being well served by his senior staff?

VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: Well let me say, we're standing in Yokota Air Force Base in Japan - we're on our way to The Olympics. Um, and um, I, I learned as I a, awoke this morning - of those developments - and so we'll - we'll comment on any issues affecting the White House staff when we get back to Washington.

ASHLEY PARKER (Second Journalist) : Can I just briefly follow-up on that and ask, this ah, now a number of times when you found out ab- you're the Vice President - you're number two in the administration - where you found out about something very late - after a number of other senior staff below you - even in the West Wing have found out about it. Again, I understand - we're standing in here, but can you comment on why you often seem a little bit out of the loop on some of this major news?

VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: ah, you know it's a great honor for me to serve as vice president - and President Trump [shaking head no] has been incredibly generous with the responsibilities and opportunities he's given me to serve - representing the United States on the foreign stage as we have here in Japan - as we will later today in South Korea 'nd - 'course at The Olympics - and also being involved in the legislative process and I'm [deep inhalation] I'm very grateful for that and um, but we'll, we'll leave those White House staffing matters for when we get back to Washington.

During 0:01, just after the first journalist says, "Going to turn back to home" - the Vice President displays an Inward Lip Roll (ILR). An Inward Lip Roll (notated by the Ω  symbol) is an attempt to prevent strong emotions from escalating - both inwardly and from being expressed outwardly.

During 0:18, just after the first journalist says, "... that General Kelly and others at the White House had been aware of these allegations for several months and have been trying to deal with them and p- protect him...", Mike Pence's mouth temporarily takes on a classic regret expression. This is notated by the ∆ symbol.

He also displays an extended blink - in a subconscious effort to dismiss and/or block the comment/thought.

More than any other high-level politician currently in Washington, the Vice President makes the expression captured in the above image:

• Elevated Central Forehead Contraction
  simultaneous with a
• Partial Mouth Smile

We all - every human being - makes this expression from time-to-time. It indicates the thought-emotions of:

• Arrogance
• Smug Incredulity
• Contempt

It's crucial to note that all three of these emotions have other expressions.

However, when a person makes this expression often - as Mike Pence does indeed do - it's a highly reliable signal of a:

• Person who is deliberately always acting (and doing a poor job of it), or a
• Sociopath (Antisocial Personality Disorder)

In this context, either possibility is ominous. Moreover, the two populations overlap considerably.

The Vice President displays a Hard Swallow (during 0:55) as Ms. Parker says, "... Again, I understand - we're standing in here, but can you comment on why you often seem a little bit out of the loop on some of this major news?"

A hard swallow (watch his Adam's Apple [thyroid cartilage of the larynx] move up and down) is a strong signal of anxiety.

(Please watch the video, as this dynamic is not captured with a still image)

Just after Ms. Parker says, "... out of the loop ..." (during 0:58), the Vice President displays both:

• Disgust
• Anger

Watch this several times at full and then 1/2 speed. Concentrate on his mid-facial region - specifically between his upper lip and nose - as well as his nostrils.

During 1:03 - 1:04, as the Vice President says, "... President Trump ...", Pence shakes his head side-to-side in a classic NO illustrator. The next words (the rest of the sentence) out of Pence's mouth are:
"... has been incredibly generous with the responsibilities and opportunities he's given me to serve..."

This side-to-side head shake (NO), prior to his verbal statement, indicates Pence's true feelings contradict the words (Pence, in fact, does NOT feel President Trump has been incredibly generous with the responsibilities and opportunities Trump has given him).

(Please watch the video, as this dynamic is not captured with a still image)


Summary:  Vice President Pence displayed anxiety, disgust, anger, and deception during this video segment. His chronic display of an Elevated Central Forehead Contraction coupled with a Partial (Suppressed) Mouth Smile is an ominous pattern of behavior in anyone - particularly by such a high-level elected official.

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:


Body Language Analysis No. 4199: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, and their Insane Mission Impossible Helicopter Stunt

Body Language Analysis No. 4197: Donald Trump calls people who didn't clap during his State of the Union address "Un-American" and "Treasonous"

Body Language Analysis No. 4195: Tom Brady and the Asymmetrical Smile

Body Language Analysis No. 4193: Hope Hicks, Sexual Attraction, Armpits, and Elbows

Body Language Analysis No. 4181: Ann Curry, Matt Lauer, "Verbal Sexual" Harassment, and NBC

Body Language Analysis No. 4165: Kim Jong-un's New Years Faux Pas

Body Language Analysis No. 4155: Luis Elizondo Interview - Former Military Intelligence Official Who Ran AATIP (The Pentagon's Secret UFO Unit)

Body Language Analysis No. 4136: Seminole Heights/Tampa Florida Serial Killer - Criminal Profiling

Body Language Analysis No. 4087: Harrison Ford Accidentally Punches Ryan Gosling in the Face - Blade Runner 2049

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Body Language Analysis No. 4169: Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, and Robert Mueller - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Saturday Morning (6 January 2018), Donald Trump met with Republican Leaders at Camp David. What follows is a nonverbal analysis of House Majority Leader, Kevin McCarthy's reaction to the President's answer to a journalist's question regarding the possibility of Trump meeting with Robert Mueller.

Journalist (beginning at 18:13): Mr. President, if, if Robert Mueller asks *you* to come to speak with his committee personally, are you committed, still, to doing that? Do you believe that [inaudible] -

President Trump [over-talking]: Yeah, just so you understand - just so you understand - there's been no collusion Ω - there's been no crime - and in *theory* everybody tells me I'm not under investigation - maybe Hillary is, I don't know - but I'm not. But, there's been no collusion - there's been no crime ...

Just after the first time President says, "... there's been no collusion ...", Kevin McCarthy (who is standing in back of Donald Trump's left shoulder and partially obscured by his head) displays a rapid series of nonverbal signals (a cluster).

18:24 - Representative McCarthy closes his eyelids for a prolonged duration. This signifies psychological blocking behavior - the Majority leader's logical brain knows what the President just said - and yet his emotional brain wants to block it out - e.g., "I can't believe he said that!" This represents a form of emotional processing/disbelief.

18:24 - His eyes remain closed (more blocking/disbelief/emotional processing). He also begins to express Disgust. The tilting-backward of his head/neck (in this context) is a Disgust Amplifier.

18:25 - McCarthy's Disgust persists. He then exhibits a Hard Swallow - which betrays his anxiety with the president's statement of "... there's been no collusion ..."

18:26 - 18:28 - Representative McCarthy rapidly bounces on his toes. This further telegraphs his anxiety regarding the President's "No Collusion" statement.

What significant nonverbal signal of Donald Trump's did you observe associated with his qualifier of:  "... in theory ..."?

Summary: The House Majority Leader, Kevin McCarthy is both incredulous about - and feels disgusted toward the President's repeated claims of, "There's Been No Collusion". Moreover, this gives McCarthy significant anxiety.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4168: President Trump's Hands - Conspicuous by their absence

Body Language Analysis No. 4166: Logan Paul's Apology 

Body Language Analysis No. 4164: Emmanuel Macron's Rapport Destroyer

Body Language Analysis No. 3251: (REPOSTING) Donald Trump's Response to the question, "Have you ever asked God for Forgiveness?"

Body Language Analysis No. 4120: Robert Mueller's Nonverbal Metaphor

Body Language Analysis No. 4111: Selena Gomez, Francia Raisa, and a Kidney Transplant

Body Language Analysis No. 4104: Walter Cronkite Reaction to JFK Assassination

Body Language Analysis No. 4065: The Murder of Laci Peterson - Scott Peterson's Red Flag

Body Language Analysis No. 4026: Aubrey Plaza, Ingrid Goes West, and Emotional Intelligence


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Body Language Analysis No. 3955: Jeff Sessions, Russia, and Sergey Kislyak - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Before Donald Trump fired James Comey, Senators Patrick Leahy and Al Franken had asked the FBI to investigate Jeff Sessions for possible perjury pertaining to Sessions' alleged undisclosed contact/meetings with the Russian Ambassador, Sergey Kislyak.

The video above, and the discussion below, sheds some needed nonverbal light on Sessions. What follows is analysis:

Beginning at 0:44 in the above video, Jeff Session says, "I never had meetings, with Russian operatives, or Russian intermediaries about the Trump campaign ..."

During 0:46 - 0:47, as he says,"Russian operatives" - Sessions shifts his weight rapidly from side-to-side (to his left, then back to his right). Then, just a few seconds later, during 0:49 - 0:50, as he says, "intermediaries", the US Attorney General elevates quickly up-and-down on his toes.

Both of these nonverbal actions are highly indicative of adrenaline surges which accompany anxiety. However, when viewed in the context of this crucial, high-ramification denial declarative, their presence dramatically increases the probability that deception has occurred.

Please view the video as still images don't capture the dynamics and the subtlety of movement.

Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

 
See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3954: Donald Trump, "Covfefe", and a Facial Expression which Should Always Raise Red Flags

Body Language Analysis No. 3952: Emmanuel Macron's Handshake with Donald Trump at NATO Summit

Body Language Analysis No. 3950: Donald Trump, Angela Merkel, and Donald Tusk at the G7

Body Language Analysis No. 3948: The Manchester Bomber, Nonverbal Communication, Threat Assessment, and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3925: An Expression of Donald Trump's Which He's Making More Often

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3865: Jeff Sessions and Al Franken - Senate Judiciary Committee during Sessions' Confirmation Hearing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3872: "Fearless Girl" Statue in Manhattan's Financial District

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3833: Samuel L. Jackson, Magic Johnson and a Yacht

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3894: Michael Flynn and Russia - "When are given immunity, it means you probably committed a crime" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday, Michael Flynn's attorney made it clear that the former National Security Advisor (from January 20, 2017, to February 13, 2017) is willing to be interviewed by US Senate and House of Representatives investigators - but only in exchange for the condition of immunity from prosecution.
Earlier today the Senate Intelligence Committee turned him down.

On 25 September 2016, Michael Flynn was a guest on NBC's Meet The Press. And although at the time of this article, NBC had removed the original video from that specific episode, the clip included above is a CNN segment which contains a portion of that original interview. Many people are finding Flynn's statement here (in addition to Donald Trump's which immediately follows it and is also included) as particularly ironic - while others view it as more of a foreshadowing - or a form of a Freudian slip.

Beginning at 0:57 and on through to 1:13, Michael Flynn says, "The l- [stutter] very last thing that John Podesta just said is, 'No individual too big to jail'. That should include people like Hillary Clinton. I mean five people around her have had, have been given immunity to include her former Chief of Staff. When you g- [stutter] are given immunity, it means you probably committed a crime."

Followed by Donald Trump (1:16 - 1:21) during his candidacy, "... And if you're not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity for? Right?"

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of Michael Flynn.

At many times during this short segment, Michael Flynn's forehead and eyebrows elevate in very quickly but for short duration. In addition, and more importantly, Flynn's left eyebrow also elevates unilaterally - multiple times and rather dramatically.

A nonverbal novice or even a person with a relatively moderate level of body language experience may identify these multiple, short-lived, rapid reactions as examples of "Microexpressions" - more specifically, microexpressions displaying doubt/disbelief/incredulity. Yet these facial movements are NOT Microexpressions. They are, rather, examples of tics - and more specifically, "Simple Motor Tics".

If one views previous videos of Michael Flynn - it's clear this behavior is longstanding. Additionally, these movements are a bit too frequent and strong - to be characteristic of microexpressions (somewhat of a nonverbal analog of a staccato).

Tics are described as "unvoluntary" or semi-voluntary - for they're not by definition involuntary. They are often characterized as a voluntary response to an unwanted and premonitory urge - that is, as an "irresistible urge, which must eventually be expressed". Tics may increase as a result of emotional states which are negative, such as anxiety, frustration -  as well as positive emotions, like anticipation or excitement. They can even arise out of boredom.

Conclusion: This nonverbal behavior of Michael Flynn is NOT a microexpression, as it may appear to some. Rather this is a facial tic - more specifically a longstanding simple motor tic. Although tics can increase in frequency with anxiety, this does not suggest necessarily that Flynn was nervous (or lying) in this scenario - since even boredom or excitement may also increase tic behavior.

Tune in next week (or sometime soon) for his testimony. Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3893: Devin Nunes' Statement to Press Outside White House after His Controversial Meeting with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3891: Donald Trump and Jared Kushner - Alpha and Beta Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3889: Donald Trump's Speech from Oval Office After House AHCA Bill Being Pulled

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3884: One Important Expression James Comey Displayed Often During His Testimony Before the House Intelligence Committee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3853: Tom Hiddleston, a School Play and Eddie Redmayne

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3638: Hillary Clinton's DNC Speech - and One Expression Which Profoundly Lowers Her Likability

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3885: Vogue's 73 Questions with Selena Gomez

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3707: The Presidential Debates Part III - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton and Sniffing



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3879: Donald Trump, Wiretapping, Adam Schiff & Russia - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Today the leaders of a crucial US House of Representative committee conducted a press briefing in which they said they had seen no evidence of President Trump’s allegation that he or his staff had been wiretapped by President Obama during Trump's campaign.

The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Devin Nunes (R-CA), said, “We don’t have any evidence that that took place." The top-ranking democrat on the committee, Adam Schiff, agreed (D-CA), saying, “I have seen no evidence that supports the claim that President Trump made.”

The video above contains a portion of this press briefing. In this clip, only Representative Schiff is speaking.

From a body language perspective, one thing, in particular, jumps out regarding Rep. Schiff - his eyes. More specifically, both of his upper eyelids are, throughout most of this segment, opened much wider than baseline.

This "White and Wide" configuration of Adam Schiff's eyes (eyelids) is due to a hyper-adrenaline state. It's a very common physiologic response to anxiety. Even a person who's accustomed to being on national TV will be a more nervous when it involves an investigation with such high ramifications.

Although it's not captured in this portion of this press conference, it's crucial to note that Rep. Schiff and Rep. Nunes did not agree on whether or not there was yet, any evidence that Trump's campaign staff had any improper contact with the Russians during the campaign.

When a question regarding evidence of any possible link was posed, Mr. Nunes said, "Not that I'm aware of", while Rep. Schiff interjected saying, "You know, I, I'm, I wouldn't answer that question, ah, as categorically as my colleague and - ah, you know we're not privileged to talk about the contents of the investigation, but I, you know, I-I think we need to be very precise, ah, when we talk about this, ah-um - and I, I just don't think answer that, answer categorically, ah, and not in this forum." Thus it is possible that the details regarding this specific disagreement was the reason for Adam Schiff's heightened adrenaline.

The eyes are always of the utmost importance in the endeavor to accurately interpret (or project) nonverbal signals. What some people would call "subtleties" are often glossed-over or go completely unnoticed. And, in this example, Representative Schiff's eyelid changes are far from subtle.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3878: Sean Spicer, White House Briefing, Donald Trump's Wiretapping Allegations 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3876: John McCain's "State of the Union" Interview re: Donald Trump, Michael Flynn, Wiretap Allegations and Russia

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3874: EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt Denies that Carbon Dioxide is the Cause of Global Warming

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3872: "Fearless Girl" Statue in Manhattan's Financial District

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3856: "Belle" Clip - Beauty and the Beast

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3811: Hayden Panettiere, Stephen Colbert and Personal Space

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3647: Yusra Mardini, Refugees, Syrian Swimmer, and Sincere Smiles


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3760: Rory McIlroy's "Little Interviews" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This version of "Little Interviews" is highly recommended - not only for its comedic value, but also for its wealth of body language moments.

Rory McIlroy is by most accounts a likable personality - and he held up well in Billy's hot seat. Yet Caroline Wozniacki's spirit was also on the set.

Beginning at the 2:19 mark, Billy begins: "I know Andy Murray's a good mate of yours, but who's your favorite girrrrrrrl tennis player?".

McIlroy [laughing sincerely, but in a self-deprecating 'I've-been-caught' manner and blushing]: "Ohhhh, ahhh, favorite girl tennis player ..... ah-ummm [looks down to his right and scratches his right shoulder with his left hand followed with a puffer fish exhalation].

Billy: [brief laughter]

McIlroy: "Honestly Billy, I've stopped following women's tennis [R2E2 with a brief nodding up and down] ... the last couple years."

Billy: "Maybe a good call."

McIlroy: "I think so."

2:37




Scratching the opposite shoulder is a signal of "honest anxiety" - and more specifically a hesitancy to  discuss (or disclose). It's often seen when a person is searching for the "right words".

When someone looks down to their right - it's an epiphenomenon of a simultaneous experience of sincere and significant emotion tone - often correlated with affection, melancholy, love, regret and sadness.

A deep exhalation with the billowing outward of one's cheeks ("Puffer Fish") has a calming affect - slowing down the heart rate and respiration while also lowering the blood pressure. It's also very often correlated with the completion of a difficult act or decision and is seen with feelings of resignation (thus somewhat similar to a slow shrugging).

2:41




As he turns to Billy and says, "Honestly Billy, I've stopped following women's tennis ... the last couple years", Rory McIlroy makes an R2E2 (Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression) along with subtle nodding of his head. This is very obviously a deception and his R2E2 display is an effort to convince the audience and young Billy by recruiting him as a co-rationalizer. While the R2E2 is not always indicative of deception - it is seen frequently in that context and very often the person displaying it is also trying to convince their self.

From a paralanguage perspective, McIlroy's use of the word "Honestly" here is also very conspicuous for a lie and/or an agenda-driven undercurrent. Although this coupling of correlated behaviors is completely missed by 99.7% of people, nonverbal signals are often paired with such statement-analysis (language analysis) tells.

Summary: Rory McIlroy has regrets regarding his past relationship with Caroline Wozniacki and still harbors significant affection for her.


See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3557: How Megyn Kelly really feels regarding Bill O'Reilly

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3755: Donald Trump, Empathy and Facial Expressions

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3734: SNL's spoof on the 3rd Presidential Debate - and 3 Insincerity Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3701: Hillary Clinton, Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3652: Simone Manuel & Penny Oleksiak Win Olympic Gold

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3603: David Cameron's Resignation, The Brexit and Beta Body Language

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3759: Nicole Kidman's and Jimmy Fallon's Almost Date Redux - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Nicole Kidman was on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show earlier this week. This was round two of reminiscing on "Jimmy's and Nicole's almost date" of years past.

One of the more obvious nonverbal signals you may notice is that Kidman and Fallon both blushed - Jimmy moderately - while Nicole did so profusely. While blushing is certainly not a requirement for sincerity, when blushing IS present, it's strongly correlated with an overall sincere personality (but not necessarily in that moment). Yet this was not the most interesting body language exemplified in this clip.

What follows is a more nuanced nonverbal display.

This image was captured at 5:28 - which was just before Jimmy Fallon first mentions Keith Urban (Kidman's Husband). In addition to her blushing, notice Nicole's backward leaning torso, closed eyes (a prolonged blink) and her crossed arms (all quite beta body language).

A few seconds later (above), Kidman leans forward as she positions the back side (dorsal aspect) of her index and middle fingers touching the base of her chin while she begins to disclose her surprise. Although Nicole is still projecting some beta qualities here (e.g., her right arm remains across her torso), she has definitely "dialed up her alpha" via this particular left hand configuration signifying a deliberate (planned) disclosure.

A moment later (above) these same two fingers straighten and their tips making contact with the underside of her chin as Kidman comes closer to her denouement. This change of finger configuration is indicative of increased adrenaline and its accompanying anxiety.

And in this final image - even closer to her "reveal" moment - only Nicole's index finger (aka "forefinger", which signifies the greatest alpha status and higher adrenaline) remains "standing". Here her anxiety also has grown even further. In this instant she's in a state of emotional dissonance - where she feels both "in control" - yet also nervous.


See also:

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. 3754: Donald Trump, Mike Pence and Paul Ryan

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3725: Donald Trump Challenges Hillary Clinton to a Drug Test before Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3715: Mike Pence Denies Saying Vladimir Putin is a Better Leader

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3705: Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump Presidential Debate - Trump: I'm 'smart' for paying no taxes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3673: Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin separate after Sexting Scandal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3633: David Duke's Duplicity & The US Senate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3061: Jimmy Fallon Blew a Chance to Date Nicole Kidman (Part I, 2015)


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3743: Ronda Rousey's Anxiety - Anticipating Her Next Fight - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

During her recent appearance on The Ellen Show, Ronda Rousey revealed she's close to retiring (from fighting) - saying, "... I'm wrapping it up. This is definitely one of my last fights so ..."

Ms. Rousey also has a very poor poker face and as with her previous interviews, this one is chock-full of nonverbal displays. Her fans (as well as those of Amanda Nunes, who's her next opponent) might find one moment particularly telling.

Beginning at 1:03 Ellen says, "So, so, it's December thirtieth, right - that's the fight?"

Ronda Rousey responds, "Yeah."

Ellen: "That's the fight?"

Her prolonged eyelid closure (an extended blink) just after she answers, "Yeah" (1:05), is an example of classic blocking behavior. It's as if she's speaking the words, "I don't want to think about it".

A second later (1:06), Rousey's mouth momentarily morphs into an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR). An inward lip roll is evidence the psyche is trying to control strong feelings from growing inside - as well as attempting to make any emotions less visible on the outside. In other words, an inward lip roll is one nonverbal tool we use while trying to prevent other (and more extreme) nonverbal signals - thus it's a very real form of subconscious biofeedback.

Conclusion: Ronda Rousey has significant anxiety with regards to her next fight with Amanda Nunes. 


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3742: Evan McMullin, Donald Trump and Winning Utah

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3740: Donald Trump Thanks Anthony Weiner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3738: Gary Johnson Loses His Temper

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3716: Fatherhood, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Ashton Kutcher's Pants

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3565: Adolf Hitler, Jesse Owens, Archie Williams and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3707: The Presidential Debates Part III - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton and Sniffing 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us  


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3329: Robert De Niro Hears Tom Hiddleston's Robert De Niro Impression - The Graham Norton Show - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

If you've never watched Graham Norton, you're missing something. His is routinely one of the most hilarious shows you'll ever watch - and this clip is no exception. Tom Hiddleston does some great impressions - of Owen Wilson, Christopher Walken - and then he proceeds to Robert De Niro - who's sitting on the same couch. And although he's an excellent actor himself, Hiddleston - enamored with De Niro slips back and forth between being "in character" (e.g. Stanislavsky) and his nervous, "I-can't-believe-I'm-impersonating-Robert De Niro-while-he's-sitting-right-here" self.

This video provides dozens and dozens of nonverbal examples. One could spend a couple hours using this six minute video alone as a teaching example. Yet there is one nonverbal here which needs thin-slicing - for it's very often mischaracterized - and rarely nuanced.

Facial touching is of course an extremely common manifestation of anxiety (as indeed it is here). And it is often taught that nose touching - while not absolute - is one of the MAPs [Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers]) which is seen with significantly greater frequency in the context of deception. While this is also true - the nose touching associated with deception is almost always a scratch, touch, rub or flick. Yet here we see another variation - that, while is correlated with anxiety - is much less common with lying. What Mr. Hiddleston examples for us six times here is a "Nose Pull" or "Nose Pinch".

The more robust varieties of the nose pull/pinch are examples of alpha up-regulators, where assertiveness is being called upon. It's a signal that the person feels some level of embarrassment (and is trying to suppress it) - as they realize they're over-stepping social boundaries - yet they dial-up their alpha and push on

It's crucial to never interpret a nonverbal signal in isolation - rather to note other body language signs with which it is clustered. As mentioned above, there are a multitude of other nonverbals in this video - on all five of those pictured. How many others did you see? What verifies that Hiddleston is feeling anxiety and is not attempting any sort of lie?

2:35

3:00

4:23

4:37
(camera cuts away a split second before nose pull/pinch)

5:20

5:43














See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3328: PewDiePie on Stephen Colbert's Late Show - a Common Body Language Alpha Up-Regulator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1901:  Maria Sharapova's Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3210: Matteo Renzi, Christine Lagarde, Barack Obama and Up-Regulating Alpha Emotions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3282: Zac Efron Swam with a Wild Tiger Shark and Avoided an Attack by using Body Language


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