Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3862: Oscars Mistake - "La La Land" erroneously named Best Picture over "Moonlight" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night at the Oscars, in the first few seconds while those on stage were realizing the mistake which was made, there were many others who perhaps momentarily believed a tremendous stunt was being staged - but there was no ruse.

From a body language point-of-view, this incident was laden with examples. A particularly illustrative nonverbal signal was displayed by one of La La Land's producers, Jordan Horowitz.

Once Warren Beatty handed the envelope to Faye Dunaway - and she erroneously announced "La La Land", the entire La La Land team, of course, then came on stage. Jordan Horowitz and Marc Platt (also a producer) each gave speeches. That's when The Academy Awards' staff rushed on stage in an effort to fix this awful faux pas.

Jordan Horowitz said, “Guys, guys, I’m sorry. No. There’s a mistake, ‘Moonlight,’ you guys won best picture.”

Marc Platt then added, “This is not a joke. I’m afraid they read the wrong thing.”

The audience collectively and very audibly gasped.

Horowitz then reiterated, “This is not a joke, ‘Moonlight’ has won 'Best Picture.’ ” He then held his left hand to his chest - with his entire hand - including his palm - making full contact (primarily against his sternum but also involving his left, mid-upper chest [0:19 - 0:21]). Next, again with his left hand, he held the correct card high for the cameras and everyone to see and repeated, “‘Moonlight’ - Best Picture.”

Full contact of the entire hand - including the palm of the hand - particularly over the sternum and adjacent left chest - is a strong signal of sincerity. When people touch only with the tips of their digits - or gesture toward their chest without touching during moments of (otherwise) significant emotional content - they are projecting (without knowing it) low levels of sincerity.

We touch over this particular region of our bodies because it is "heartfelt" - for our heart beats just beneath the surface. It's full of emotional impact. Even those who have never held an infant will intuitively hold the child's head over this same area - because it "feels right", more protective and emotionally comfortable.

Thus Jordan Horowitz's body language immediately after he spoke, “This is not a joke, ‘Moonlight’ has won best picture”, told us he was being truthful. Of course after only a few more seconds - no one doubted his words. Yet in many such "everyday" settings, this and a myriad of other nonverbal signals are available for all to look - however, few will see them and know their meaning.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3861: Emma Stone, The Oscars and Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3859: Steve Bannon Touches Reince Priebus' Leg at CPAC

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3857: Taunting a Snowplow Driver - Belleville, Ontario

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3855: Mike Pence regarding Donald Trump and Michael Flynn at NATO Headquarters

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3829: Mary Tyler Moore - Flirtatious, Sexy, Alpha Female Smile

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2812: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone & La La Land - Backstage Interview Golden Globes 2017


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

With respect to nonverbal communication, Donald Trump is a Christmas Tree strewn with gifts of teaching examples. Today he provided yet another classic moment of insincerity.

This year, Starbucks has chosen to decorate their seasonal coffee cups somewhat differently than in years past. In other holiday seasons they had put images of reindeer, snowflakes, snowmen, Christmas trees and ornaments on their cups. But this year the coffee chain's cups are bright red - with none of their past decorations. Although some have asserted that the words, "Merry Christmas" were removed - these words were never on the cups in previous years - only the some of the seasonal symbols.

Donald Trump (along with many others) have taken issue with their (erroneous) claim of removal of the greeting "Merry Christmas" from Starbucks' cups. Many other people have also said (in voice very similar to the post-heart-growth-version-of-the-Grinch), "Maybe Christmas he thought doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

In the above video, Donald Trump says, "Today I read - and I have Starbucks - they're my tenants. Did you read about Starbucks? No more 'Merry Christmas' on Starbucks. No more. [long pause] I wouldn't buy - Hey, look - I'm speaking against myself. I have one of the most successful Starbucks in Trump Tower. Maybe we should boycott Starbucks - I dunno. Seriously. I don't care. By the way, that's the end of that lease - but who cares? Who cares? WHO CARES? [long pause] But today a big story. That Scar [stutter] Starbucks is taking 'Merry Christmas' off - no more 'Merry Christmas'. I will tell you - lots of big things, lots of little things, you can call this anything you want - but if I become President, we're all going to be saying, 'Merry Christmas' again, that I can tell you. That I can tell you."

During the 0:12 - 0:15 segment, as Trumps says, "... Hey, look - I'm speaking against myself ..." - he places his hand over his sternum - but only his fingers touch - while the palm of his hand remains elevated of his chest (this nuance is best seen in the dynamic context of the video). This lack of palmar touch is very telling of a insincerity. Trump is not "speaking against" himself. On the contrary - he is very much speaking on his own behalf. Trump is of course, running for President - so such a boycott may very well aide his efforts to secure the Republican Nomination. And if he loses all affiliations he may have with Starbucks - that's a small sacrifice.

Notice also, Trump's stuttering when he begins to say, "Scar -" rather than "Starbucks". This misspeak is a very interesting example of paralanguage slip (Freudian slip) - and another signal betraying his ulterior motive.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3367: Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3053: Giada De Laurentiis, Insincere Smiles and Divorce

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3202: FIFA's Jack Warner Cites 'The Onion' in His Own Defense

Analysis No. 2863: Gary Oldman's Apology on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" - Sincere or Insincere?

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

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3140: Italian Court Overturns Murder Conviction - Amanda Knox is She Sincere? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday an Italian court overturned the previous conviction of Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito in the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher. This is the fourth verdict in this very drawn-out case and the second time both Knox and Sollecito have been acquitted. Rudy Guede was sentenced to a 16 year sentence in 2008 for Kercher's murder. Guede's DNA was found on Kercher's body.

Many inquiries have been put forth regarding Amanda Knox's sincerity? Is she sincere or feigning?

0:03

Deep Inhaling

Double Palmar touch - centered on Sternum 

Looking Down to Right (in this context for a right-handed person, this has a high correlation with sincerity - processing a highly emotional subject) just before she says, "... I'm incredibly grateful ... "

0:21

Just after Ms. Knox says, "... from family, from my friends, to strangers, to people like you - I - it - you saved my life ..."

0:48

"... What comes to mind is my Gratitude for - for the life that's been given to me ..."

0:52

".... for the life that's been given to me ..."

Amanda persists with dominant (her right) hand over sternum










1:28

Amanda's right (dominant) hand moves higher - centered on her manubrium (bone at the top of the sternum) with her fingers touching the lower portions of her throat as she says, " ... Meredith was my friend ..."

This Manubrial Touch indicates a very high level of sincerity along with an elevation of anxiety. She goes on to say, "... it's - she deserved so much in this life - um - I've - I'm the lucky one ..."



If Amanda had just been touching her chest with the tips of her fingers - or if this was over the right side of her chest (not over the heart) - we should question her sincerity ... and her honesty. However when the full palm of the hand touches the chest - particularly the sternum, the manubrium or on the left side (over the heart) - this is highly correlative with sincerity.

Sincerity amplifiers seen her include touching with both palms - and when using one - it's her dominant hand (Amanda's right) that persists. Contrast this with the second cross-reference analysis below (Gary Oldman's apology). 

Conclusion: Amanda Knox's statement to the press yesterday and her feelings of gratitude are highly sincere - however, this does not speak to Amanda's guilt or innocence.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3139: "Villanova Piccolo Girl" on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon - Fully Sincere (Duchenne) Smile vs. Sincere yet Suppressed Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2863: Gary Oldman's Apology on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" - Sincere or Insincere? - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3016: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and a Suppressed yet Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2508: Anne Frank, Sincere Smiles and Emotional Comfort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2873: Raffaele Sollecito, Amanda Knox and Meredith Kercher - Raffaele's Press Conference - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1706: Amanda Knox Interview after Guilty Verdict - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2778: April Fools Prank, Embarrassment and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2378: Zubeidat Tsarnaev, Mother to Boston Marathon Bombing Suspects Dzokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev Her Body Language reveals ...

Zubeidat Tsarnaev the Mother of the Boston Marathon Bombing Suspects - Dzokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev is featured in this short video interview where she says, "What happened is a terrible thing, but I know, that my kids have nothing to do with this. I know it. I'm mother. I have, I, you know, I, I know my own kids, I know my kids. I ... really my kids never get involved into anything like that."

Although she proclaims her sons' innocence, at multiple times she displays contempt - probably for those who committed the crime. One of these moments is captured in the image below. Note her dramatic mouth asymmetry (although the nonverbal sign of mouth asymmetry can indicate other emotions). Her lip is curled up in a snarl and her right nostril is simultaneously dilated. The area between the upper lip and the nose is also tightened. This is a strong nonverbal cluster indicating she feels sincere contempt - probabaly for those who bombed the Boston Marathon. 

Later in the video (during 0:11 - 0:17) Ms. Tsarnaev with her right hand (most probably her hand of dominance) touches her full palm to her upper chest (a heartfelt "Palmar Touch" over sternum and left chest). Her right hand (which is holding what looks like a phone) is placed on top of it as she also displays two prolonged eyelid closures (0:13 & 0:14) as she says, "... I'm mother. I have, I, you know, I, I know my own kids, I know my kids. I ...". The cluster of body language she displays here is significant for a high sincerity quotient here as well. 

Of course sincerity is about belief, feelings and communicating truth - and here the "truth" for her is what she perceives it to be. Ms. Tsarnaev is not lying if her thoughts, feelings, nonverbals and her words are congruent - and in this video they are. She loves her sons. And she sincerely believes that they are not the perpetrators of the bombings.

Ms. Tsarnaev is feeling other emotions as well. What are these and what other corresponding body language do you see here?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2373:  We Feel Contempt towards  Boston Marathon Bombing Suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev - What Does His Body Language Reveal? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2372:  Boston Marathon Bombing Suspects -  A Common Pre-Crime Body Language Pattern

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2375:  Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and a  Body Language False Positive

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2191:  Anne Hathaway's Impersonation of Katie Holmes on SNL -  "Norming" Katie and Variations on a Theme

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2323:  Jodi Arias Murder Trial  The Body Language of Self-Contempt-Regret

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2207:  Body Language, Sincerity and Mahmoud Abbas  United Nations grants Palestine "Nonmember Observer State"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2275:  Lance Armstrong's Insincerity -  Body Language revealed in Oprah Winfrey Interview  Part III

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2299: Rihanna & Chris Brown at 2013 Grammys - What Their Body Language Says

This image of Chris Brown and Rihanna at the 2013 Grammys last night is screaming full of body language. Rihanna's head and neck leaning towards Brown with contact is highly consistent for affection. This head touch is seen ubiquitously in romantic love, and this nonverbal can be seen in all types of non-romantic love as well - as long as there is true affection present. Chris Brown is not reciprocating - there is no head-leaning at all. 

Note also that Brown's hand/arm - although around his partner is not making contact. When sincere affection is present, we should see touching with full palmar (palm of hand) contact. There is none here however. 

It looks as though Brown's about to, or just finished, an "I love you" display with his left hand. 

Rihanna's single-armed cross is a common truncated form of the more common double arm cross. It's particularly common in children, gay men and women signaling a closed-off, defensive or low-confidence emotional tone. 

Brown's legs are configured in what is known as a "Seated Crotch Display". This common lower limb nonverbal can indicate both an alpha-male dominance display (its meaning here) as well as a signal of sexual attraction. In the sexual context, the crotch is pointed towards the person of interest. Women world-wide commonly find this nonverbal display overused and distasteful. Men tend to be oblivious when they use this (to their great detriment) - particularly in business scenarios - as it often destroys rapport 

The bottom line here is that Rihanna has significant and sincere affection towards Chris Brown, although (surprise) she feels significantly defensive about displaying this emotion in public. Chris Brown on the other hand, shows no affection at all - but lots of alpha male behavior directed away from Rihanna.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2242: Rihanna & Chris Brown at Lakers Game - Body Language of Dominance, "Ownership",  Narcissism and Submission

Nonverbal Romance and Dating Secret # 202: Revealed in a Kiss - Prince Albert and Princess Charlene

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2: Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley  Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2203: A Body Language Metric of Intimacy and Affection -  How Do YOU cuddle?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2142:  Mitt Romney's face wipe by stranger -  Preening as a signal of Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1911:  Preening as a Signal of Affection-Attraction  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1808: Time Magazine's  Breast Feeding, Dr. William Sears, and Attachment Parenting Controversy - Shows Emotional Dissonance at Best

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1423:  Head First Affection &  Head Surrogate Hugs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2086:  Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon, Love and Sincerity

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2220: Harry Reid on Jim DeMint's Retirement -A Body Language Tell of Insincerity

In this video, Harry Reid (D-NV) comments on Jim DeMint's (R-SC) recent announcement of his intention to retire from the U.S. Senate. At two times the Senate Majority Leader comments on "believe" & "belief" which are contradicted by his body language. At 0:35, when Reid says, "...I personally believe", he gestures towards his sternum or manubrium (towards his heart) but never touches it. A few seconds later, at 0:36 - 0:38, he displays a similar nonverbal when he says, "...He does this out of a sense of real belief". In this second gesture, Senator Reid touches only with his fingertips. If these feelings of "belief" (the first Reid's own, the second which is implied empathy for DeMint) were sincere, we would have seen in both circumstances, a touching with the whole palm of the hand - aka a "Palmar Touch". This insincere body language signal is, of course, seen just as commonly in all political parties.

In this scenario a Palmar Touch would signify sincerity and empathy. Clustered with other nonverbals (not seen in or applicable to this context), it can also indicate affection, ownership and belonging.

It is intriguing to note that, from a paralanguage standpoint, the word "personally" in Reid's first statement, and "real" in the second, are not necessary if the feelings were sincere. They are a epiphenomena of compensatory behavior and also betray his true emotional tone.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2216: Senator Jim DeMint's Body Language - Lip Purse, Suppressed Smile, Duping Delight & Retiring Early

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1900: Palmar Touch of another Person, an Animal or Object

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1866:  Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth are Engaged -  An Affection-Love Sincerity Signal
  
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2183: Barack & Michelle Obama's Tweet - The Palmar Touch, Body Language and an Affectionate Hug

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1829: Dara Torres Interview with Piers Morgan - Embarrassment,  Visual Recall, Sexual Anticipation Lip Biting &  Sincerity Quotients

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2143: Meyers and Bailey Leonard - The Illini, The Marine & The Reunion -  Emotional Processing & Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2207:  Body Language, Sincerity and Mahmoud Abbas  United Nations grants Palestine "Nonmember Observer State" 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2207: Body Language, Sincerity and Mahmoud Abbas United Nations grants Palestine "Nonmember Observer State"

Today, in a vote of 138 to 9 with 41 abstentions, the United Nations voted to upgrade Palestine to "Nonmember Observer State" - a status equal to The Vatican. In the above image, Mahmoud Abbas, Palestine National Authority is displaying a classic nonverbal display of sincerity. The palms of his hands are touching his torso. Of particular distinction is Abbas' left hand shows full palmar contact to his sternum and the left side of his chest - over his heart. The Palestinian leader is humbled and this nonverbal configuration, along with other body language with which this sign is clustered, demonstrates a high sincerity coefficient.

Contrast this against Bashar al-Assad in the image below and in one of his numerous displays of "finger tips only" touching (and with only one hand) in the same anatomical area. Syrian's al-Assad has a multitude of low-sincerity & deception nonverbal signals - of which this but one example.

Palmar contact is a signal of sincerity and truthfulness. Interestingly, this is well exampled and particularly true in personal relationships. When affection wanes, hugs which once involved full palmar contact - degrade to "finger tips only hugs". This trend is an ominous signal and portends relationship failure - and in romantic situations often indicates an affair.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1866: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth are Engaged - An Affection-Love Sincerity Signal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1900: Palmar Touch of another Person, an Animal or Object

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2070: Missy Franklin's Reaction after 100 Backstroke Victory in London

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2183: Barack & Michelle Obama's Tweet - The Palmar Touch, Body Language and an Affectionate Hug 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1861: Bashar al-Assad's Denial and Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2: Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley  Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future

In the video below Mahmoud Abbas can be seen displaying the palmar touch nonverbal at 1:02 - 1:01 and again at 1:00 (time counts down backwards).

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2183: Barack & Michelle Obama's Tweet - The Palmar Touch, Body Language and an Affectionate Hug

There are several components of a sincere and affectionate hug. One of these ingredients is full contact of the palms of the hands. The body language of this "Palmar Touch" - highlighted in this image by President Obama - signifies both sincerity and affection. When this crucial nonverbal  is consistently absent (such as only with the finger tips touching) during a hug - affection is either waning or is being feigned. 

On Election night, Barack Obama tweeted this image of he and Michelle hugging with the message, "Four more years". It broke the Twitter record for retweets.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2179:  Mitt Romney & Barack Obama - Sincere Hugs and True Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2087:  Mitt Romney's Sincerity -  Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1855:  Sincere Kisses & Closed Eyes

Nonverbal Intelligence Quiz-Analysis # 2110:  Pizza Guy - Scott Van Duzer's Bear-Hug Encounter with President Obama -  Staged or Real?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1898:  Heat, Hugs & Head Surrogates 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2108:  Rihanna's and Chris Brown's Kiss and Hug - What are they REALLY feeling?  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2:  Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2143: Meyers and Bailey Leonard - The Illini, The Marine & The Reunion - Emotional Processing & Sincerity

This viral video shows the reunion of two brothers - Meyers Leonard, who at the time was a center on University of Illinois basketball team (he was picked no. 11 overall in the 2012 draft and now plays for the Portland Trail Blazers) - and Bailey Leonard, a U.S. Marine just returning from his deployment in Afghanistan. When Bailey surprises his brother on the court before a game, initially Meyers turns away (1:49 - 1:51) and covers both eyes, nose and his mouth with his left hand (1:50 - 1:58). Both the "turn away" and the bilateral eye/mouth covering are nonverbal signals that - although his visual system and his intellect are telling him the facts - his emotional brain is playing catch up to the sudden turn of events. Such emotional processing and its congruent body language are seen during major life and emotional scenarios - whether they are joyous or tragic (This was the most common facial expression among those witnessing the twin towers collapse on 11 September 2001). 

A few moments later (1:58 - 2:08) Meyers covers his sternum with his entire left hand. Note his palm of his hand making contact. This is a very important and often overlooked detail. A "Palmar Touch" signifies a high degree of sincerity. While in such a reunion-type setting this body language is no surprise, it's a nonverbal that is very commonly feigned in negotiations, witness testimony, sales professionals - and in political debates, etc. We can recognize this "pretended sincerity" because only the fingers & thumb touch - and not the palm of the hand. A more extreme example of this insincerity is when the hand gestures toward the chest - but doesn't make any contact. Another red flag of insincerity is raised when the right side of the chest or stomach is touched by the palm of the hand - rather than the sternum, manubrium or the left side of the chest.

See also:

Nonverbal Analysis # 221: Hillary Clinton - Spontaneous Mouth Covering & Empathy 

Nonverbal Analysis # 1531: Hillary Clinton Describing the Osama Bin Laden Navy SEAL Raid at the U.S. Naval Academy, 10 April 2012 

Nonverbal Analysis # 665: Bashar al-Assad - A Strong Sign of Insincerity 

Nonverbal Analysis # 1455: Ann Romney, The Illinois Primary & Sincerity

Nonverbal Analysis # 21: Surprise + Fear + Empathy

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2108: Rihanna's and Chris Brown's Kiss and Hug What are they REALLY feeling?

Get More: 2012 VMA, Artists.MTV, Music, Rihanna

At the 0:04 mark in the above video, Rihanna and Chris Brown can be seen hugging at the MTV Video Music Awards. This was the first public display of affection since Chris Brown plead guilty to one count of felony-assault for beating Rihanna in 2009. Careful attention to their hug gives us a glimpse into their emotions towards each other. 

The video is low resolution so we cannot see if Rihanna's eyes close. When eyes close during a hug it is a strong body language signal of affection. We cannot see Brown's eyes as well, since we only have this one angle. This particular affection-display can also of course be seen in platonic relationships, between siblings as well as between parents and children (adult or children/infant).

Notice that Chris "leans into the hug". The further the lean, the less body contact there is and the less affection is being felt. The less leaning the more contact - and thus more affection. Notice the considerably greater body "leaning-in" during Rihanna's next hug.

Chris Brown also hugs his former lover with only one arm - again a signal of less affection. This is in strong distinction to Rihanna - who reciprocates with two arms - a nonverbal sign of a relatively higher level of affection. Rihanna also clearly has both of the palms of her hands touching Chris - a signal of true and sincere affection. Lack of palmar touch is a beacon of low affection. Notice also there is no patting of Rihanna's hands during the hug. Patting of one's hands during a hug is a common non-affectionate body language display - or that the hug has gone on "long enough" and it's time for it to end.

Chris Brown's also head tilts away from Rihanna during the hug, while her's does not exhibit this distancing phenomenon. 

In conclusion, while they did kiss (polite peck), Rihanna feels considerably more affection towards Chris Brown than he feels towards her. 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2096: Canadian Tenors, Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen) and Celine Dion

There are some great body language signals in this Canadian Tenors performance video. The group had never met Celine Dion - and Oprah Winfrey had arranged for a surprise visit in the midst of their performance of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".

At the 3:11 mark the back of the stage opens and Celine steps forward. The first to see her is Clifton Murray (3:22) who doesn't look very surprised and implies that perhaps he had some foreknowledge of  her visit or suspected Oprah had something up her sleeve. Victor Micallef spots her next (3:23) and her appearance brings a sincere smile to his face. When Fraser Walters spots the megastar he mouths, "Oh my God" (3:27), immediately looks away, closes his eyes and covers his mouth - all strong nonverbal signals of emotionally processing a new and dramatic event. Often such scenarios are negative, and fortunately this one isn't. Walters' sensory-intellectual brain just told him he's singing along with Celine - but his emotional brain hasn't caught up with reality yet. Celine closely (but not exactly) mirrors his body language by covering her mouth along with a slight nose rub (an anxiety component as well) (3:29).

Remigio Pereira nonverbal response is fantastic. Both his eyes open "White and Wide" for about a second at 3:39. Surprise is the shortest lasting of all the emotions. If it lasts longer than two seconds there is usually a component of insincerity (An exception being psychological shock upon witnessing or hearing about a very dramatic event. Such faces were commonly seen in Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001).

At the 3:37 mark Clifton Murray exhibits a palmar touch to his lower sternum - demonstrating sincerity and a strong "heart-felt" emotional tone.

Even though Ms. Dion is an alpha female, a very successful and accomplished person, at the 3:41 - 3:42 mark she performs a behind-the-ear hair adjustment - which indicates the need to "dial-up her alpha". Her psyche is essentially saying - "right now I need to be a bit more alpha and/or a little less beta". This body language is much more common in women, although men have several analogs to this very telling nonverbal (which are particularly useful in negotiations, the court room and sales-type scenarios). Celine also blushes here - which is of course a strong biological display consistent with sincerity - for a blush cannot be feigned (3:42).

See also:

Analysis # 1411: Dialing Up Her Alpha - Dana Perino

Analysis # 831: Santorum's Hands and the Alpha-Beta Hybrid 

Analysis # 1914: Sincere Surprise - Often Faked & Difficult to Capture - Spain Beats Portugal in Euro 2012

Analysis # 334: Fear and Surprise - as Bulls Beat Lakers

Analysis # 1212: Sudden Mouth Covering

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

Analysis # 353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles

Analysis # 1010: What Makes the Twinkle in Rashida Jones's Eye?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2086: Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon, Love and Sincerity

There are many fantastic body language displays in this interview, but one in particular is highlighted here: At the 0:37 mark in this video, just after she sees a video of her husband (Kevin Bacon) describing their first encounter and their love, Kyra Sedgwick briefly touches her sternum with her right (dominant) hand. When we further nuance her body language however, we see that she makes contact not only with her fingers - but with the palm of her hand as well. This "palmar touch" indicates a much greater level of sincerity.

When anyone touches with just the fingers/finger tips (such as often seen in business, sales, the courtroom and in personal relationships) - this indicates insincerity. Such a MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier) display would not indicate the person as a whole was insincere, but it would mean in that moment, they were not feeling full commitment and/or not being entirely honest (unless of course we see such nonverbals displayed chronically). 

Touching over the upper left chest or over the sternum, particularly with one's dominant hand indicates even higher levels of the "Heart-Felt" emotions of love and affection.

See also:

Analysis # 1500: Six Degrees of Separation? Leaning in, Head Touching and the Manubrium - Kyra and Kevin are 10th Cousins, Once Removed

Analysis # 21: The Romantic Height Ratio

Analysis # 54: The Manubrial Touch Betrays Our Feelings

Analysis # 1449: Dr. Who, Jenna-Louise Coleman and Necklaces

Analysis # 2053: Strong Signal of Fear-Sadness Anxiety - Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting"

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1900: Palmar Touch of another Person, an Animal or Object

Touching another person, an animal or object with the palm of the hand (palmar touch) is a strong body language signal showing affection, empathy, sincerity and/or ownership. In this particular image, an Indian boy's nonverbal example may very well be demonstrative of all three.

See also:

Analysis # 1866: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth are Engaged - an Affection-Love Sincerity Signal

Analysis # 1829: Dara Torres Interview with Piers Morgan - Embarrassment, Visual Recall, Sexual Anticipation Lip Biting & Sincerity Quotients

Analysis # 1531: Hillary Clinton Describing the Osama Bin Laden Navy SEAL Raid at the U.S. Naval Academy, 10 April 2012

Analysis # 391: Hillary Clinton and Aung San Suu Kyi 

Analysis # 1455: Ann Romney, The Illinois Primary & Sincerity


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1866: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth are Engaged - An Affection-Love Sincerity Signal

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth are engaged. The two have been dating since June 2009 when the couple met during the filming of "The Last Song". Miley's palmar touch of Liam is a signal of sincere affection - particularly on the Aussie's Chest - and even more so over his heart. In contrast, when the palm of the hand ceases to make consistent contact - and only the fingers (or later just the tips of the fingers) are touching - it is a solid body language signal of waning love. While the palm-touching contact does not predict longevity of a relationship - it is a very strong sign of sincere affection and love.

See also:

Analysis # 2: Body Language of Blake Lively & Penn Badgley Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future

Secret # 1752: Wearing Red and Sexual Attraction - What are You Marketing?

Secret # 1500: Six Degrees? Leaning In, Head Touching and the Manubrium - Kyra & Kevin are 10th Cousins - Once Removed

Secret # 771: Ann's and Mitt's Affectionate Hug

Secret # 1010: What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

Secret # 1097: Looking at Carla's Legs

Secret # 1962: Mimi Beardsley Alford is Telling the Truth about JFK

Secret # 737: Cuddling - How Much Do YOUR Feet Touch Your Lover's?

Secret # 609: Going from High Heels to Flats - then back to Heels

Analysis # 1808: Time Magazine's Breast Feeding, Dr. William Sears and Attachment Parenting Controversy - Emotional Dissonance at Best

Secret # 105: Parental Love and Affection





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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1455: Ann Romney, The Illinois Primary & Sincerity

A reliable sign of sincerity is displayed when the palms of the hands make contact with the chest during an expression "heartfelt" emotions (empathy expression). With both sexes, but more commonly and prominently with women, this "palmar touch" body language signal of sincerity - is accompanied by a forward (anterior) and to a lesser degree, slightly upward (superior) motion of the shoulders - giving the upper chest a temporarily "sunken in" appearance. This "nonverbal amplifier" adds further to, and projects more strongly the feeling of empathy. We don't know what Ann Romney was speaking about at this moment, but we do know she was sincere.

See also: Secret # 102: Palms vs. Fingers

Too often, only the tips of the finger/thumb touch - indicating feigned emotion.  See: Secret # 665: A Strong Sign of Insincerity

Ann and Mitt Romney are pictured here last night just after the former Massachusetts Governor won the Illinois Republican Primary.

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