Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2510: NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, "Stop and Frisk" Policy & Tongue in Cheek Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Ray Kelly, New York City Police Commissioner was recently on "Face the Nation". In the video interview included above he spoke about the city's controversial "Stop and Frisk" policy. At the 3:56 mark he begins, "...We just had a 'Center for Disease Control' study come out that said, 'New York City has the lowest ratio of teenagers carrying guns than any city in ah, in America ... so....' "

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


Just after he says, "...so...", during the 4:08 mark, Kelly displays a classic "Tongue and Cheek" body language. This expression can have several different meanings depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered. In this context it indicates an alpha level of confidence, a smugness, "I just won", "I just caught you" or gotcha emotional tone.

Though none are present here, in other body language context-clusters it can signify an attempt at self-soothing associated with anxiety, deception, anger and even sexual provocativeness.

Do you know how to differentiate these subtypes?

Although many don't necessarily think of it as such, the tongue-in-cheek display is a specialized variation of self-touching or MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) body language and is 99.9% of the time it is initiated and used subconsciously.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2233:  Body Language, President Obama, 20 Children  and the Tongue-in-Cheek

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2434:  Brad Pitt's Tongue-in-Cheek regarding  Reasons for Choosing to Work on "World War Z"

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1153:  President Obama's Tongue in Cheek and the "Birthers"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2352:  Mila Kunis' Tongue in Cheek  Graham Norton Part II

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2215:  Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio Joke and Hint regarding the  2016 Presidential Race - "Tongue-in-Cheek" Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1892:  Harry Reid, "That's a Clown Question Bro!" -  Tongue in Cheek 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2462:  Rachel Jeantel responds to Critique of Juror  George Zimmerman vs. State of Florida  Tongue in Cheek Body Language
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2499: NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, "Stop and Frisk" and a Body Language Display of Dominance (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Last Sunday on "Face the Nation", New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly made an appearance. He spoke about the controversial "Stop and Frisk" practice and the recent ruling by a Federal Judge. In the above video, NYC's top cop and rumored to become the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, displays many a great example of nonverbal signals. Below is one rarely appreciated example.

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

This palm-forward hand gesture is known as "The Claw". It is one of many body language configurations which signify an alpha emotional mindset. It's also a variety of nonverbal "Illustrator" which emphasize or underlines the verbal component of the message. For those who know what to look for, it also lets them "read between the lines".

Individuals who use this palm-forward signal believe they are the relative alpha in the room while the others present are beta personalities. It is a sign of high self-confidence. As with all alpha signals, if over-used (a mistake which Commissioner Kelly does NOT commit here) it becomes hyper-alpha and backfires by transmit feelings of condescension and arrogance. Consequently it must be used sparingly and essentially choreographed into particularly important moments of a lecture, speech or interview. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2245:  The Fiscal Cliff Grows Closer & Tempers Fray -  Barack Obama's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2132:  Variations on a Theme - The Palm-Forward Dominant Spider (The Claw) vs. The Split-Finger Fastball

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2152:  Second Presidential Debate - 16 October 2012 -  Barack Obama's Duping Delight -  Benghazi, Libya Attack was an "Act of Terror" -  Alpha, Beta, Confidence & Acquiescence ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2337:  Rick Santorum at 2013 CPAC  Body Language,Facial Tension & Hand Tension

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2291:  A Tight Fist and Tension in The Face -  Jay Carney's Body Language as he defends - Chuck Hagel's performance during  Senate Confirmation Hearings

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2392:  Zoë Saldaña on Jimmy Kimmel - Rapport Builders, Alpha Behavior & Dominance Displays

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2411:  Zimmerman's Attorney, Mark O'Mara's - Body Language Faux Pas in Court

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