Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3553: Donald Trump, Deception, Facial Touching and Empathy - Body Language (PHOTO)

One reason why Donald Trump is a more convincing liar than many politicians is that he touches his face (or anywhere on his head or neck) with much less frequency than do most people. It's important to stress that facial touching does NOT equate to lying. Taken in isolation, facial touching is a general indicator of anxiety. Yet when certain parts of the face are touched (do you know which?) - AND when these actions are clustered with particular paralanguage behavior, statement analysis patterns and other nonverbal signals - this can be an excellent indicator of deception. All human beings lie - and it's crucial to note that those who DON'T touch their face often - will still deceive - but they've learned to suppress this set of significant body language tells. But there is another explanation ...

A lesser known but profoundly important nonverbal phenomenon is that those who touch the face less during other times - particularly while watching, listening or reading stories of another person's emotional or physical suffering - even if it's fiction - have significantly lower empathy. Those with less empathy will, of course, not feel nearly the anxiety when they lie - and less anxiety equates to less facial touching.


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, religious or other agenda.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3552: Hillary Clinton, Body Language and variations on the Pistol Steeple

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3549: Speaker Paul Ryan's interview with Jake Tapper - "I'm just not ready" to Support Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3547: Kate Middleton on Cover of Vogue's 100th Anniversary Issue

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3545: Eric Trump's Reaction to President Obama's Comments at the 2016 White House Correspondents' Dinner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3529: Vladimir Putin's Alpha Body Language - Correlations between the Hands and the Face

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3516: Hillary Clinton, Finger Pointing, Fossil Fuels, Bernie Sanders and Lying

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3501: Salah Abdeslam of Paris Attacks is Captured - Body Language Traits Shared by Terrorists

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3509: Bernie Sanders meets Birdie Sanders


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3492: Maria Sharapova Admits Failed Drug Test - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Monday, Maria Sharapova gave a press conference where she admitted to her ten-year usage of a newly banded substance. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had added Meldonium (also known as Mildronate) to its list of banned substances on 16 September 2015 which came into effect on 01 Jan 2016. The Tennis star tested positive in January at the Australian Open.

Meldonium is used by some physicians to treat ischemia (a relative reduction of blood flow) - particularly in cases of angina or heart failure. The drug is manufactured in Latvia and is used in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania as well as Russia, but its use is not approved in the remainder of Europe or in the United States.

Ms. Sharapova is very accustomed to being in the spotlight - yet not in this manner. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the five time grand slam winner's statement.

Throughout much of her appearance, Ms. Sharapova had her hands clasped on the lectern.

Although this body language configuration is very commonly used, the vast majority of the time it's ill-advised.

During 0:25, as she says the word "... doctor ..." (then immediately clarifies "... by my family doctor ...), Ms. Sharapova exhibits and increase in her Blocking Behavior as her left hand slides up her right forearm. This is an example of what in the nonverbal terminology is known as a "MAP" (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) and is a variety of Self-Touching. In this same second, she also exhibits a hard swallow with a very short-lived (a microexpression) mouth display of regret.

About a minute later Maria displays this same increased blocking behavior once again (this image captured during 1:25 as she says, " ... diabetes ...") with her finger sliding beneath her sleeve.

Once again, although not quite as pronounced, a third display of this MAP at 1:46 as Sharapova says, "... and I really hope that I'll be given another chance to play this game ..."

Here Ms. Sharapova was smiling very subtly (and in other, later portions of this clip it was more pronounced). This was a sincere although largely suppressed smile - and in this context it is a form of duping delight. Her joking regarding the carpet and what many thought may have been a retirement announcement serves as a decoy, e.g., - for it to be okay for the act of smiling out of context. This is a common subconscious and edge-of consciousness reflex behavior - and serves as camouflage during such smiling-out-of-context scenarios.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3492: Peyton Manning Retirement Press Conference

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3489: Margot Robbie wants Prince Harry

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3478: Donald Trump Jr Does Not Like his Father's Statement, "I Love the Poorly Educated"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3465: Hillary Clinton's Dominant Spider

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3469: Leonardo DiCaprio and Dame Maggie Smith on BAFTA Awards Kiss Cam - The British Academy Film Awards

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3073: Russell Westbrook - Execution Interview

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1863: Sharapova's Lips of Anger 
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3384: Donald Trump Repeats Controversial 9/11 Claims - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Donald Trump is making several claims regarding the events of 9/11 and what he alleges he witnessed that day. One of his assertions is examined below.

Beginning at 0:15 in the above video, Trump says, "... I have a window in my apartment - that specifically was aimed at the World Trade Center because of the beauty of the whole downtown Manhattan. And I watched as people jumped and I watched the second plane come in."

During 0:27 - 0:28 Donald Trump adjusts the microphone stem.

Starting again at 0:38, Trump continues, "Many people jumped and I witnessed it. I watched that."

During 0:39 - 0:40 he again adjusts the microphone stem








As with most politicians, Donald Trump is a very skilled liar. One example of his nonverbal behavior which supports this - is that he rarely displays a self-touching tell, more specifically a MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) when he lies - yet here he commits a MAP surrogate. He adjusts the microphone in lieu of touching his face or another part of his body. The microphone of course DOES NOT need adjusting. Watch for this in the future - for it's one of Donald's Deception Displays.

Trump is either very good at suppressing these anxiety/deception tells - or more likely, he does not feel very much anxiety when he is lying.

Although this body language signal stands on its own (anxiety associated with a high likelihood of deception), it's interesting to also note what CNN's Sara Murray points out  - that Trumps apartment is about 4 miles from where the World Trade Center stood. Of course it's possible from that distance a person could watch the events through a telescope or binoculars - however if he had used his unaided eyes, it would have been impossible. This would have required visual acuity 5 times better than 20/20 - and no human being has ever come close to that level of vision. Moreover this would be only the acuity required to discriminate what would have be perceived as a tiny black spots. The vision required to differentiate a human being from the other debris at that distance would have to be much greater.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3383: Barack Obama and Francois Hollande Shake Hands

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3293: Why is Donald Trump a Better Liar than Most Politicians? - Body Language  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3250: Donald Trump regarding John McCain: "He's no hero" - Body Language Tells us what he really thinks

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3368: Donald Trump, Insincerity and Starbucks - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3278: Chris Christie's Feeling Weak in the Knees - Body Language and The Republican Debate

Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1459: Geithner Gets His Alpha On

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3256: Katie Holmes on Jimmy Fallon

 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3095: Brian Williams Told Yet Another Fib - Body Language Deception Tell (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Brian Williams told yet another lie. The video above is from The Late Show with David Letterman on 26 March 2013. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

At 4:46 Williams continues, "... the now deceased former four-star general we were traveling with, Wayne Downing, said to me ah, using an old Vietnam-era f... [stutter] ah term, because he was a Vietnam infantryman, 'We're over Indian Country', ah, you'll forgive, ah, the political incorrectness ...." 

Touching one's face in a certain manner just before or during a definitive statement or in the context of answering a question is highly consistent with deception. Notice that during the 4:53 - 4:54 segment, Brian Williams rubs/scratches his nose twice with his right thumb (see image below). The initiation and completion of this MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) gesture is delineated above coincident with the red text. No doubt his nose itched. Anxiety caused by the intention to lie or the act of lying releases the neurotransmitter natriuretic polypeptide b (Nppb) (or a similar/related molecule) in specific facial regions - which extremely often in turn results in a very real itch. This occurs preferentially unilaterally, e.g. - in one ear, one eye (not both eyes) - but also in the mid-line, e.g., the nose or the mouth.

There was something specific regarding that statement Brian Williams said that was a lie. Either General Downing never said what Williams claimed, or that he said it - but at a different time/location, or that this was not American military jargon used in the 60s or 70s, etc. But Williams did indeed lie here. When someone such as a news anchor - and a very experienced one like Brian Williams, rubs his nose (who is very accustomed to suppressing this physiology and NOT touching his face) - you can be sure that the itch was strong and thus the drive to scratch it was considerably heightened as well.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3094: John Kerry at the 51st Munich Security Conference - Mouth of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2601: "Governor Christie, Are You a Tea Party Republican?" Why His Answer Tells Us Whether or Not He Will Run for President in 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2548: Confused, Quizzical and Disbelieving Body Language from Eric Cantor's Colleagues

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2400:  One Way Deception Could be Minimized in the Court Room -  O.J. Simpson's in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3085: Olivia Munn Doesn't Like Johnny Depp - Just Listen to Her Body Language (Not Her Words)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3091: Vladimir Putin has Asperger's Syndrome according to Pentagon Report - Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2581: Syria, Ambassador Robert Ford and a Body Language of Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2603: Sarah Palin's Body Language - She Feels Disgust toward Pope Francis and ... She Tells a Fib

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2848: Iliza Shlesinger, Hair Adjust Behind Ear, Dialing Up Your Alpha & Comedy - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Iliza Shlesinger recently appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". The video above is hilarious - yet she also gives us an example of body language used in context. Like all comedians, Shlesinger goes "into character" here and there throughout her shtick - and she uses body language in multiple ways to suspend our disbelief and thus laugh deeper. Below is just one of these nonverbals.

At multiple times throughout her routine, Iliza displays the "Hair Adjust Behind the Ear" (aka HABE). This is one of many examples of what in body language parlance is known as a MAP (manipulator, adaptor, pacifier). This particular MAP has a very specific meaning. It indicates that the person is seeking to "dial up their alpha". They may indeed be very alpha to begin with - yet in the moment - they need more assertiveness. The HABE is a clear (and subconsciously driven) nonverbal signal indicating they feel they need more alpha. It is a very valuable signal in the setting of a negotiation, the courtroom, etc.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2177:  "I'm Tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney" -  We're all Abigael Evans  Dialing up her Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2823: Kendall Jenner, 5 Seconds of Summer & One Direction at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards - Anxiety Tells

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1411:  Dialing Up Her Alpha -  Dana Perino

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2801: Adam Silver Bans Donald Sterling for Life - Alpha Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2830: Petro Poroshenko, Ukrainian Elections and an Hyper-Alpha Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2837: Of Spelling Bees, Alpha Posture, Decision Making and Visualizing - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2847: Eric Cantor, Concession Speeches and Low Affection - Body Language Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2829: Respect, Funerals, Memorials and Alpha vs. Beta - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

In the context of a funeral, memorial service, wedding or when meeting a high dignitary/senior religious figure - the hand-arm nonverbal configuration known as the "Fig Leaf" (with hands clasped in front of the lower abdomen or genitals aka "Genital Guarding") shows respect or deferential behavior (e.g. "I concede that I am the relative beta"). In these contexts this body language is therefore recommended - yet it usually is subconsciously driven behavior.

Along with the fig leaf hand-arm position - [an example of a MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier)] - when showing respect the body language cluster should also include a feet-together position. It is not possible to tell if all of these first responders in this memorial service (for those who died in the Moore Oklahoma Tornadoes) last year have their fee together - however the man second from the LEFT has his feet far apart.

In this context the fig leaf indicates several possible emotional interpretations. One is that the gentlemen who has his hands clasped behind his back feels a subconscious need to display alpha nonverbal signals because others of who may nearby. It is also possible that he did not have any respect for those who died - and thus has narcissistic personality disorder. Another possibility is that he has autistic tendencies and thus has a relative deficit for the natural use of body language in social context.

Many people look much too beta/demure than they should when outside the social-business scenarios mentioned above. In these other situations it indicates a low emotional comfort/low confidence emotional tone - but not so during a memorial service.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2633: Abigail Hernandez, Missing N.H. 15 year old, Body Language Clues

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1563:  Geithner and Holder  In Deference to the President -  One Occasion to Use the Fig Leaf

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1770:  White House Correspondents' Dinner  Lindsay Lohan's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2487:  Chelsea Clinton's Beta Body Language -  The Elevated Fig Leaf 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2822: Ludacris, Low Confidence, High Confidence and Contempt - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2828: Elliot Roger, Isla Vista/U.C. Santa Barbara Mass Shooting & Threat Assessment - Body Language and Threat Assessment

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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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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2710: Microsoft's New CEO Sayta Nadella's Body Language vs. Bill Gates (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Microsoft named Sayta Nadella as its new CEO today. In the video above, Bill Gates speaks of Nadella and gives a short monolog regarding Steve Balmer's replacement as well as his own increasing role in the company he co-founded with Paul Allen in 1975.

Bill Gates is both a technical and business genius. There are also few in the history of the planet who have been as philanthropic as has he and Melinda Gates. I would like to think that if I were in his shoes - I would be similarly as generous.

Mr. Gates needs some body language 101 remedial lessons though; for in this video he commits a common nonverbal faux pas of over-using a MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier). Most MAPs are indicative of beta emotional tones - primarily and specifically that of a low confidence level. This however is one exception. Bill clasps his hands 28 times in this short video. This particular nonverbal sends a patronizing signal. Moreover its extreme repetition along with his thin lipped "bitter smile" (one variety of a false smile) amplifies these condescending emotions (Be very careful of interpreting any nonverbal in isolation, for it nearly always lead to a body language misdiagnosis).

In contrast, Satya Nadella in the video below displayed a much lower frequency of MAPs. Keep in mind though that Gates had a distinct disadvantage in this comparison for he's giving a monolog, looking directly into the camera and is standing still - while Natella is walking, in a conversation (albeit rehearsed) and he is gets to (as expected) look at his interviewer most of the time.





In the isolated frame below, Sayta Nadella displays a "basketball steeple" (named so because it looks as if its user is holding and invisible one). This nonverbal is "not too beta" and "not too alpha" but just right - thus it is one example of a class of body language signals known as "alpha-beta hybrids". It signals strength yet open-mindedness and a willingness to be "gentle" without weakness.

Good luck Sayta Nadella.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2577: Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe - Alpha and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2698: Lupita Nyong'o on Jimmy Fallon - an Underused Body Language Display

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1083:  Brewer's MAPs Flag Foreboding

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2642: Tom Hanks Can't Act Away a Fib - His Body Language Tells a Little Lie

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2702: Barack Obama - Anxiety and Non-engagement; Body Language Signals (PHOTO, VIDEO)

Tomorrow night Barack Obama will give his fifth State of the Union Address. Like most second-term U.S. Presidents, his most recent job approval rating (Gallup) is low at 42 percent. So it's not surprising that in moments of the relative privacy of the Oval Office, President Obama displays body language consistent with this diminished public approval.

Touching one's neck, with rare exception (depending on the other nonverbal signs with which it is clustered), signals significant anxiety. This is but one example of what is termed a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (MAP). The president's full palmar contact with the neck is acts as a signal-amplifier.

Take note of the position of Mr. Obama's left hand. Despite the "Hollywood-ization" of men posing with hands in their pockets, it sends messages of withdraw. It's a significant beta signal of lowered confidence and lowered emotional comfort. A useful metaphor to characterize this body language is a turtle going in it's shell (aka "Turtle Retreat").

Pick up any other subtleties which up-regulate or down-regulate POTUS's anxiety level?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2602: Barack Obama at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2620: President Obama Tells a Couple Fibs - "Norming" Barack's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2681: What Did Barack Obama Really think of Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2646: Does Barack Obama Want to Go to the Sochi (Russia) Winter Olympics? What His Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2593: Barack Obama, Insurance Cancellations and Signals of Low Confidence

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




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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2657: Keanu Reeves's, "47 Ronin" and a Hesitancy to Discuss - a Key Body Language Tell (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

A fantastic body language tell is displayed in the above video. Keanu Reeves is being interviewed regarding his just released movie, "47 Ronin" by Savannah Guthrie (Today).

Beginning at 2:20, Guthrie asks the accomplished actor, "Well, it's really exciting to watch and I, I was thinking about you because honestly we don't see you that often. You seem to be very choosy about your projects. Is that on purpose? Is that by design?"

Reeves answers, "Yeah. Yeah ...I mean, you know you want to find the right project. You wanna [deep exhale] ummm, yeah, I can just say that. You know."

During the 2:27 - 2:29 segment as Guthrie says, "... about your projects. Is that on purpose? ..." (And probably repeated however camera angle precludes the view), Reeves rubs both of his thighs with each hand forward to and then including the knees. This self-massage, rubbing of the thighs is an example what is known as a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (aka MAP) and is consistent with a heightened anxiety state. However, when this progresses forward (and downward) to include the knees, there is a particularly hesitancy in full disclosure of the matter being discussed. This evasiveness is clearly expressed verbally in this example of Reeves - however in other scenarios it is not so obvious. This very specific nonverbal tell is particularly helpful during vetting, voir dire, negotiations, depositions, interrogations and interview settings.

This is yet another example of a skilled actor being very easy to read with respect to his body language. And he acts for a living. What other significant tells did you see in this video?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2567: Keanu Reeves, "Man of Tai Chi" and a Beta Posture

Body Language Confidence Secret # 33: Keanu Reeves - Covering the Mouth While Smiling

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1083:  Brewer's MAPs Flag Foreboding

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2642: Tom Hanks Can't Act Away a Fib - His Body Language Tells a Little Lie

Negotiation Secret # 91: MAPs by Proxy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1869:  One Body Language Signal a President Should Never Display

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2522: Jake Gyllenhaal and Jimmy Kimmel, Part II,  Body Language and Anxiety in Hollywood

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2656: Threat Assessment during Robbery - Body Language of Perpetrator (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Real-World crimes are interesting and necessary scenarios in which to evaluate body language. Although the camera angle is not optimal in the above video - and we cannot see the face of the assailant, some significant signals can be gleaned in this example.

Throughout much of this video, the assailant rocks back and forth - alternatively placing greater weight on one leg, then the other. This nonverbal dynamic signals high levels of excessive adrenaline and in common colloquial, this is one manifestation that he is burning off "nervous energy".

On at least three separate occasions (limited viability), the assailant appears to adjust his mask, and his mask may need adjusting - however each time it is the lower portion - not around his eyes which he touches (suggesting an alternative reason).

In body language parlance such facial touching is termed a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (aka MAP) and its multiple displays here are indicative of strong anxiety.


Facial touching No. 1 during 0:50 - 0:52

Facial touching No. 2 during 0:53 - 0:54

During 1:09 - 1:10 the perpetrator places his feet-legs in a much wider stance. This signals a high probability of an escalation of his attack.

Also at 1:10, just prior to his striking the attendant in the head with the hand gun, he rocks forward once (towards his victim) with his head and torso. This is a further signal of his intention to attack physically.

Facial Touching No. 3 during1:11 - 1:13

This episode interferes with his ability to fend off the store attendant (see next photo below).

The perpetrator's facial touching (as dictated by its cause of anxiety) prevents him from carrying out his plan and places himself at a significant disadvantage.









Although this store attendant was successful in disarming his attacker, his was a very unwise choice and the critique of this video is in no way is an endorsement of such action.

What other nonverbal displays did you note during this short video?

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2500:  Ft. Hood Shooter Nidal Malik Hasan and Contempt  The Body Language of Threat Assessment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2512:  Matthew Cordle's YouTube Confession  and the Death of Vincent Canzani  "I Killed a Man" - What His Body Language Tells Us ...  It's NOT what you think!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2231:  A Common Facial Expression of Mass Killers - Using Body Language as a Threat Assessment Tool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2259:  Game Show Killer Rodney Alcala Gets Two More Sentences - His Body Language Warning Signs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2516:  Bashar al-Assad's Interview with Charlie Rose  Body Language Tells, Part I

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No.2549: al Qaeda operative Abu Anas al-Liby (Libi) captured in Libya, Body Language Signals Chronic with Terrorists

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2618: Learning of Kennedy Assassination - Body Language of Sudden Facial Touching (PHOTOS)

A very valuable skill when accessing a person's personality is developing an ability to gauge their empathy level. One way to to qualify and quantify this is using objective nonverbal methods. Those who lack empathy are not healthy to be friends with, baby sit your child, teach your child, hire, work for, date, marry, pick for a jury, etc.

Although there are other emotions intermixed, one key characteristic (can you name any others?) of those who rapidly touch their face upon hearing dramatic news have high empathy quotients. Mouth covering is the most common variety - although other examples are shown here.

A form of a MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier), rapid face touching is accompanied a variety of emotions - e.g. sadness, shock, fear, happiness, etc.

All four of these images where captured an instant after these subjects learned of President John Kennedy's assassination.



This quality of caring is also known as high "Empathy Quotients".

It also signals a dissonance between the logical brain and the emotional brain. Thus people are processing the sudden difference - their psyches are trying to "catch up".

Based on her body language, what additional emotions (besides empathy) is this woman feeling-thinking upon hearing of JFK's death?














See also:

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 21:  Surprise + Fear + Empathy

Leadership Secret # 221:  Spontaneous Mouth Covering & Empathy

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1212:  Sudden Mouth Covering

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 871:  Mouth Covering Candidate - Gov. Rick Perry

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2049:  Emotionally Processing a Sad or Shocking Event

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2579: Brandon Bryant Body Language of Disgust and Empathy - Confessions of a Drone Operator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2617: Walter Cronkite Announces President John Kennedy's Death - Body Language and Suppression of Grief 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2577: Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe - Alpha and Beta Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In this image below, captured during the 3:54 - 4:03 segment in the above video, Bill Clinton is shown campaigning for Terry McAuliffe - who is running for Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Here we see an example of two different hand nonverbals - one is advisable while the other is not.

Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The image below however, wascaptured from this video.

Bill Clinton is exampling a "Basketball" steeple. In a simplistic way of thinking, the basketball steeple is a "watered down" version of a "conventional steeple". However, while basketball steeple is certainly less alpha - it also has the effect of building rapport, conveying confidence and assertiveness - without being hyper-alpha as would be projected an extended conventional steeple. Conventional steeples should be used very briefly - otherwise they will destroy rapport, alienate and project arrogance.

The basketball steeple is one of the best examples of a class of body language signals (here specifically an illustrator) known as alpha-beta hybrids. Alpha-beta hybrids are the nonverbal equivalents of "having one's cake and eating it too". Knowing when and being able to dial down the alpha emotions a bit or fine-tuning the beta body language - is paramount in projecting leadership and confidence without alienating ... something few people can do.

What other alpha-beta hybrid body language combos can you name? How many and how often do you use these?

In dramatic distinction to the former President, Terry McAuliffe is not projecting confidence by picking his fingers and fingernails. This is an excessively beta, nervous and acquiescing body language. Even when standing next to a Head-of-State - no one should be doing this. McAuliffe knows better. This nonverbal display projects weakness, anxiety and insecurity. It in no way projects anything resembling strength, power or leadership. It also does not convey respect to the speaker.

What simple maneuver would you advise to prevent this demure, self-touching faux pas?

What undesirable nonverbals did the former President display in this video?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2569: Hillary Clinton, Visibility, Trust and a Harbinger of 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2564: Hillary Clinton Stumping for Terry McAuliffe ... but Did She Hint at Running in 2016?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2523:  Hillary Clinton, Body Language and the 2016 Presidency -  Rapport Builder vs. Rapport Destroyer

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2534: Bill and Hillary are going to be Grandparents; President Clinton's Body Language is Telling Us that Chelsea is Pregnant

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2487:  Chelsea Clinton's Beta Body Language -  The Elevated Fig Leaf

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2490:  Hillary Clinton and the Two-Handed Point - The American Bar Association, Body Language and  Variations on a Theme

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2360:  Bill Clinton and the Body Language of a  "Loose Hand, Palm Up Point" 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2521: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jimmy Kimmel and the Tie Stroke Mumford and Sons, Groupie Behavior and Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Jake Gyllenhaal was recently on Jimmy Kimmel to promote his recent movie, "Prisoners". During the interview he spoke about his recent travels with English folk-rock band "Mumford and Sons" around the Southwest United States on a train as they toured.

Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The images below however, were captured from this video.

Gyllenhaal shows us a common MAP-surrogate (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) known as a "Tie Stroke" at the beginning of this video. A tie stroke is a form of substituted self-touching where the long portion of the tie is lifted, adjusted and/or caressed during moments of heightened anxiety - rather than touching a body part.

Kimmel: "I think it was about a year and a half ago, you were with, you ah, went to see 'Mumford and Sons' the band."
Gyllenhaal: "Yes."
Kimmel: "And, a, a, you wound up going on tour with the band, True?"
Gyllenhaal: "Yes. True."
Kimmel: "How did that occur... and why?"
Gyllenhaal: "[a two second "Tie Stroke" begins, 0:17 - 0:19] Ah, Well, I cou, I count ah luckily in, in, ah this blessed life that I feel like I live, I count ‘Mumford and sons’ as, as a close friends I, I, I, I have a lot of friends from England. I’m not really sure why that happened but it did. And ah, and ah, they ah, I happened to meet them years ago before …."

Gyllenhaal feels anxiety that his groupie-like behavior is being discussed in such a public forum.

His multiple examples of stuttering are further (paralanguage) and congruent examples of his nervousness in discussing this subject.

There are multiple other body language tells of anxiety in the few seconds surrounding this moment. Did you see them all?

The tie stroke is usually downwardly vectored. The false tie-knot adjust (see below for this another similar signals) is a more obvious nonverbal consistent with even higher levels of anxiety.



See also:

Negotiation Secret # 97:  Silvio Berlusconi and the False Tie Knot Adjust

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1209:  Even Putin has Anxiety - False Tie Knot Adjust

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1459: Geithner Gets His Alpha On

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2479:  Alex Rodriguez Press Conference 2 August 2013,  A-Rod's Body Language Tells Part I, Anxiety Tells

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1449:  Dr. Who, Jenna-Louise Coleman and Necklaces

Romance, Dating & Marriage - Body Language Secret # 1500:  Six Degrees? Leaning In, Head Touching and the Manubrium - Kyra and Kevin are 10th Cousins, Once Remove

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

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