Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3401: Jeb Bush and Anxiety - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Rapid and frequent blinking is a nonspecific and very common sign of generalized anxiety. In this video, Presidential candidate and former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush can be seen exhibiting this reliable nonverbal signal. Watch this video and compare his rate of blinking to Sean Hannity's. While both men are very accustomed to television appearances, it is Gov. Bush that's in the hot seat.

It's important to point out that blinking frequency varies from person to person. Women, on average, blink slightly more frequently then men. And the elderly may blink more frequently than the middle-aged or younger. There are also certain medical conditions (e.g., dry eye syndrome) which increases the rate of blinking.

While Jeb's blink rate is significantly above average - there is no one subject during this interview which causes it to elevate significantly more (e.g., It's relatively constant with only a mild variability throughout this interview - [slightly increased at the beginning of the interview and also elevated while Mr. Bush is speaking, both micro-trends of which are normal]).

Some rookies who study body language will often say that increase blinking is a sign of deception - be careful however, for this is a gross over-generalization (e.g., Telling a lie is only one cause of anxiety). If a person's blink rate suddenly increases - we should always ask why. It may be that a particularly tough line of questioning has begun - but it's, of course, certainly is possible that a lie has been told. However as with all body language, blinking should not be interpreted in isolation. When a person is lying, there are almost always other nonverbal signals being displayed simultaneously or nearly so. Such groupings of nonverbal behaviors are referred to as "clusters".

Increased blinking is a very common nonverbal - seen with virtually every political candidate during an interview or debate.

Note: Be cautious not to lump together longer duration blinking with increased blinking frequency - for these have two entirely different meanings.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3399: Donald Trump, a Bald Eagle and Body Language

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

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3385: Adele, "Hello" and SNL 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3264: Hillary Clinton, Likability, Perceived Trustworthiness and Body Language  
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3199: Losing wrestler's sportsmanship wows crowd - A Common Body Language Sign of Anxiety (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This short and currently viral video is a beautiful example of what here is termed "sportsmanship" - yet more accurately described - this act is demonstrating empathy. Malik Stewart, immediately after his loss in the 2014 Minnesota Wrestling State Finals (120 weight class) - hugs the father of his opponent and the State Champion (Mitchell McKee) - because McKee's Dad is battling cancer. As he mentions, Malik also lost his father several years ago.

Those individuals who are moved to actively suppress or display their tears while watching this video (even if they're lucky enough to have never lost a loved-one) have higher empathy quotients vs. those who remain relatively emotionally-neutral.

From a body language perspective, Mitchell McKee, Malik Stewart - and Josh Prokosch (Stewart's Coach) all interviewed in the above video - display an extremely common anxiety tell. They all rock back and forth, shifting their weight from one leg to another as they speak to the reporter. In addition, each of these athletes also display other anxiety-nonverbal signals. Did you catch these more subtler tells?

Photo & video credit: Vanessa Schlueter

Mitchell McKee

Josh Prokosch

Malik Stewart













See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3198: Sepp Blatter, FIFA, Subtle Fear & Body Language

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2533: Angela Merkel's Low Steeple "Trademark" - A Major Body Language Mistake

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1876:  Noomi Rapace, Anxiety & False Mastication 

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1209:  Even Putin has Anxiety - False Tie Adjust

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2927: Barack Obama regarding ISIS/ISIL - Atypical for the President (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday U.S. President Barack Obama spoke to the World regarding ISIS/ISIL and the execution of James Foley.

During his speech Mr. Obama uncharacteristically displayed a dramatically diminished use of his hands and arms. In body language terminology most of these are referred to as "Illustrators" (although in common parlance most people simply call them "gestures").

Most of the time the President is far superior compared to most politicians in his quality use of illustrators - and typically he strikes a very good balance between alpha or beta - and relatively rarely deviates from quality body language. This speech however was a significant exception.

No doubt the President felt and continues to feel great anguish at the death of the American photo-journalist and the other innocents killed, raped and assaulted by ISIS/ISIL. However, his anxiety and beta behavior is shown by, among other things, essentially no use of his hands and arms throughout this speech. It is, of course, easy for anyone to comment or critique when they do not bear the burden of high office, yet if Mr. Obama had used his more typical quality nonverbal illustrators - with even a modest amount of more alpha and assertive emphasis - it would have better served him at driving home his points in such a crucial speech.

My sincere condolences to the family and loved-ones of James Foley and the multitudes of others who are suffering in Iraq and Syria at the hands of ISIS/ISIL.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2923: Barack Obama, Jaw Clenching and Diffusing Anger - Body Language as a Form of Biofeedback

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1871: Barack Obama  Explains His "Private Sector is Doing Fine" Comment -  The "Dominant Spider" vs.The "Split-Finger Fastball" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2877: Zac Efron and Michelle Rodriguez Dating - Thumbs Forward Arms Akimbo  

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2808: Andrew Garfield, The Spider Man Theme Song and Anxiety - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Andrew Garfield was recently on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" plugging his recent film, "The Amazing Spider Man 2". Jimmy surprised Andrew with a guitar and then asked him to play a song. Emma Stone's boyfriend responded with a pretty fair rendition of the Spider Man Theme.

There are several nonverbal anxiety tells in this short video displayed by the 30 year-old actor. Very early (during 0:05 - 0:07, Note: Unfortunately, since the original writing of this post, the source video has since been deleted from YouTube) - Garfield picked a piece of lint off his shirt and discarded it (preening) while Fallon looks on. In this scenario, this MAP/MAP surrogate nonverbal (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) is highly indicative of anxiety (In other situations clustered with nonverbals - it can have a completely different meaning).

What other body language do signals do you see here?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2802: Emma Stone & Jimmy Fallon Lip Sync Battle - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2493:  Jewel in Disguise at Karaoke Bar,  Body Language Cues to Lack of Nervousness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2626: Rashida Jones's Anxiety regarding YouTube Awards on Jimmy Fallon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2702: Barack Obama - Anxiety and Non-engagement; Body Language Signals

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2807: Barack Obama at 2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner - Body Language




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