Body Language Analysis No. 3949 (Re-posting): Donald Trump Shoves Montenegro's PM Dusko Markovic at NATO Summit - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In the light of the upcoming NATO Summit (11 - 12 July 2018), it's very much worth revisiting last years' Summit - and one of Donald Trump's infamous displays. What follows is a reposting of an analysis from 25 May 2017. Updated cross-references are included at the bottom of the page.

Today, while at NATO Headquarters, Donald Trump shoved his way through a crowd of other heads-of-state. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of this incident.

As Donald Trump grabs the upper arm of Montenegro's Prime Minister, Dusko Markovic, Trump's expression simultaneously displays Disgust.

Then, as Trump pulls and then pushes Markovic, the Montenegrin is startled - while the American President's face continues expressing disgust.

Not only is this is a dramatic violation of interpersonal (intimate) space, but it's an aggressive physical act, which in most professional contexts would be classified as a form of harassment or even assault.

Dusko Markovic managed to respond to Donald Trump's personal space violation by quickly positioning his hand against Trump's lower back. In this moment he's "counter-pushing" Trump away from him. It's a watered-down/analog behavior of "punching back".

Although it's only a limited, lateral view - we can see Dalia Grybauskaitė's expression (the President of Lithuania) on the far right side of this image. Her mouth is partially open (slack-jawed) and her forehead and eyebrows are elevated. She's in disbelief. This is an expression of emotional shock and moment of emotional processing.

Note how Trump's jaw is jutted forward in this moment. This action is indicative of the adrenaline surge he's experiencing from pushing his way through a crowd of people.

Dalia Grybauskaitė is increasingly shocked.

Dusko Markovic is suppressing his smile - and beginning to laugh.

While Dusko Markovic is continuing to suppress simultaneous laughter - along with disgust, Trump performs a false-adjustment of his suit jacket. It's an example of what is known as an "Alpha-Upregulator". Very much like a gorilla beating his chest, Trump's affirming to himself and everyone else he is THE alpha (from Trump's POV) - and that he has put them in their collective (beta) places.

Although we don't know what she's saying, we see President Dalia Grybauskaitė gesture with her palm-up. This illustrator is, generally speaking, not alpha, but beta behavior. However, depending on the other simultaneous nonverbals and verbals signals - it can be an alpha-beta hybrid. While it may involve an "asking" or a suggestion to "consider" - it's friendly, disarming, and projects a symbolic "please" emotional tone. Thus it's rapport building and engenders diplomacy.

President Trump often displays the double palms up - however, he over-uses it in terms of both frequency and in amplitude ('performed' a hyperbolic nature).

Trump retorts with a palm-down index finger pointing/jabbing.  This illustrator is hyper-alpha, hyper-aggressive, and universally offensive in every culture in the World.

Trump then rotates his torso away from President Grybauskaitė (Dissing/Disrespecting behavior) - but then fluxes downward to a beta emotional state as he configures his hands in a fig-leaf (aka genital guarding) position. A part of his psyche knows he has over-stepped, thus he is (subconsciously and only momentarily) down-regulating his aggressiveness.

SUMMARY: Donald Trump's shoving and pushing his way through a group of other World leaders at the 2017 NATO Summit is a classic example of dramatic "out-of-context" behavior (e.g., This was not a contest, nor was it a platform for physical prowess). Trump displayed quintessential hyper-alpha body language, multiple violations of interpersonal (intimate) space, and aggressive narcissistic behavior.

Group Appearances and One-on-One

Online Courses Available 

702-239-8503

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4319: Jim Jordan Fox Interview - regarding Allegations of Ignoring Complaints of Sexual Abuse at Ohio State - Part II

Body Language Analysis No. 4317: Scott Pruitt Confronted in Restaurant by Kristin Mink

Body Language Analysis No. 4315: Rep. Jim Jordan grills Rod Rosenstein at DOJ hearing

Body Language Analysis No. 4312: South Korea Defeats Germany at The World Cup

Body Language Analysis No. 4311: Jeff Sessions, "We never really intended to do that"

Body Language Analysis No. 4295: Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, and Red Flags

Body Language Analysis No. 4276: Waffle House Hero James Shaw Jr. Meets His NBA Idol Dwyane Wade

Body Language Analysis No. 4254: Tony Robbins, Nanine McCool, and the #MeToo Movement

Body Language Analysis No. 4249: Will Smith, Sophia the Robot, Robot-Empathy, and Responding in Context

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Body Language Analysis No. 4033: Prime Minister Theresa May Regarding Charlottesville Violence, "I see no equivalence" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

While visiting the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier, H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May said, "As I made clear at the weekend, follow the horrendous scenes that we saw in Charlottesville *, I absolutely abhor the racism, the hatred, and the violence that we've seen portrayed by these groups. The United Kingdom has taken action to ban the far right groups here. We've proscribed certain far right groups here in the United Kingdom - and there's no equivalence, I see no equivalence between those who propound fascist views and those who oppose them. And I think it is important for all those in positions of responsibility to condemn far-right views wherever we hear them."

To put her statement in a greater context, for those who may be unaware - Prime Minister May is the leader of the U.K.'s Conservative Party.

From a nonverbal perspective, Theresa May projects multiple signals in this short video segment. One crucial split-second, in particular, occurs in her first sentence.

During 0:06, just after Prime Minister May says, "...horrendous scenes that we saw in Charlottesville" - but just before she said, "I absolutely abhor the racism, the hatred, and the violence...", PM May displays an excellent example of a microexpression.

This particular microexpression is that of contempt. Note how, very evanescently, the left corner of her mouth vectors out and up (displaying more teeth on her left). Simultaneously, her left nasolabial fold deepens as her left cheek muscle is contracted upward. You may miss this dynamic and short-lived signal if you're not fairly adept at spotting microexpressions. Please view it several times, at normal and slower speeds.

While not required as part of contempt, we see that at the moment of maximum contempt, the Prime Minister's eyelids are also closed. This is an example of a "blocking phenomenon" - which serves to amplify her contempt and, for an instant, tries to "un-see" or "wipe clean from her mind's eye" - the unwanted behavior.

You may also notice that throughout this entire video, the Prime Minister's eyebrows are pulled together (medially) by the contraction of what is known as the "Corrugator supercilii muscle" (resulting in the vertical furrows between the eyebrows). Throughout most (but not all) of this segment, PM May's eyebrows are also frequently lowered (beautifully exemplified during the last syllable of her word, "horrendous"). Her lower eyelids are also tense - as is the region above her upper lip and below her nose. Included in this nonverbal cluster, we can see her nostrils are also flaring. This "nonverbal sentence" (aka "cluster") is highly indicative of anger.

Nuancing her facial expressions a bit further, we can see that during this same 0:06 microexpression of contempt, Theresa May's central forehead is also contracted and vectored upward (aka an elevated "Central Forehead Contraction" or "CFC") - as it was at multiple times during her statement. This elevated CFC is indicative of Empathy.

Summary: When assessing nonverbal communication in real-time, always be aware that more than one emotion may be simultaneously occurring. We see an excellent example of this fundamental body language principle here as Theresa May feels contempt, anger, and empathy regarding the recent violence in Charlottesville - and what she believes to be Donald Trump's mishandling of the aftermath. It's important to point out, that during this segment, the Prime Minister's sincerity quotient is high.


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

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4032: John Kelly's Reaction to Donald Trump's Press Conference Regarding the Events in Charlottesville

Body Language Analysis No. 4030: Charlottesville, Empathy, and One Expression Donald Trump Should Have Displayed

Body Language Analysis No. 4028: Donald Trump's Response to Charlottesville Violence, "On Many Sides"

Body Language Analysis No. 4021: Stephen Miller's and Jim Acosta's Confrontation

Body Language Analysis No. 4005: O.J. Simpson's Parole Board Hearing

Body Language Analysis No. 3986: Anthony Kennedy, The Supreme Court, and Predicting Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3927: Jimmy Kimmel's Emotional Monologue regarding His Son’s Birth & Heart Disease

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3912: Keri Russell's Schadenfreude, Matthew Rhys' Fear, and a Hesitancy to Disclose

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3871: Emma Watson's Old Habit, Harry Potter Outtake and Anxiety


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Body Language Analysis No. 3949: Donald Trump Shoves Montenegro's PM Dusko Markovic at NATO HQ - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Today, while at NATO Headquarters, Donald Trump shoved his way through a crowd of other heads-of-state. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of this incident.

As Donald Trump grabs the upper arm of Montenegro's Prime Minister, Dusko Markovic, Trump's expression is that of Disgust.

Then as Trump pulls and then pushes Markovic, the Montenegrin is startled while American President's face continues expressing disgust.

Not only is this is a dramatic violation of interpersonal (intimate) space, but it's an aggressive physical act, which in most professional contexts would be classified as a form of harassment or even assault.

Dusko Markovic managed to respond to Donald Trump's personal space violation by quickly positioning his hand against Trump's lower back. In this moment he's "counter-pushing" Trump away from him. It's an analog behavior of "punching back".

Although it's only a limited, lateral view, Dalia Grybauskaitė's expression (the President of Lithuania) on the far right side of this image can be seen. Her mouth is partially open (slack-jawed) and her forehead and eyebrows are elevated. She's in disbelief. This is an expression of emotional shock and emotional processing.

Note how Trump's jaw is jutted forward. This action is significant for the adrenaline surge he's experiencing from pushing his way through a crowd of people.

Dalia Grybauskaitė is increasingly shocked.

Dusko Markovic is smiling-starting to laugh.

While Dusko Markovic is suppressing simultaneous laughter and disgust, Trump performs a false-adjustment of his suit jacket. It's an example of what is known as an "Alpha-Upregulator". Very much like a gorilla beating his chest, he's affirming to himself and everyone else he is THE alpha - and that he has put them in their collective (beta) places.

Although we don't know what she's saying, we see President Dalia Grybauskaitė gesture with her palm-up. This illustrator is, generally speaking, not alpha, but beta behavior. However, depending on the other simultaneous nonverbals and verbals signals - it can be an alpha-beta hybrid. While it may involve an "asking" or a suggestion to "consider" - it's friendly, disarming, and projects a symbolic "please" emotional tone. Thus it's rapport building and engenders diplomacy.

President Trump often displays the double palms up - however, he over-uses it in terms of both frequency and in amplitude ('performed' a hyperbolic nature).

Trump retorts with a palm-down index finger pointing/jabbing.  This illustrator is hyper-alpha, hyper-aggressive, and universally offensive in virtually every culture in the World.

Trump then rotates his torso away from President Grybauskaitė (Dissing/Disrespecting behavior) - but then fluxes downward to a beta emotional state as he configures his hands in a fig-leaf (aka genital guarding) position. A part of his psyche knows he has over-stepped, thus he is (subconsciously and momentarily) down-regulating his aggressiveness.

Summary: Donald Trump's shoving and pushing his way through a group of other World leaders at the NATO HQ today is a classic example of "out-of-context" behavior (e.g., This was not a contest, nor was it a platform for physicality). Trump displayed quintessential hyper-alpha body language, violations of interpersonal (intimate) space, and aggressive narcissistic behavior. 

Group Appearances and One-on-One

Online Courses Available 

702-239-8503

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

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

Body Language Analysis No. 3946: Melania Swats Away Donald Trump's Hand as They Arrive in Israel

Body Language Analysis No. 3944: Dwayne Johnson, The 2020 Presidential Election, and The Rock Dialing Up His Alpha

Body Language Analysis No. 3942: Donald Trump, James Comey, Contempt, and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3924: French Presidential Front-Runner Emmanuel Macron

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3886: Donald Trump, Russia, Healthcare, and "Huge" Negotiation Faux Pas

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3798: Elle Fanning, Channing Tatum and Dialing Up the Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3769: Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3831: Donald Trump's and Theresa May's Press Conference - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Prime Minister Theresa May met with President Trump today at The White House. She was the first head-of-state to visit with Donald Trump since his inauguration. There were many body language tells exhibited during their short press conference - and one rarely discussed nonverbal signal came during toward the end of the above video.

At 15:29 UK journalist (Tom) continues: "... And also may I ask a question to both of you. People are fascinated to know how you're going to get on with each other, you're so different. The hard-working daughter of a vicar, the brash TV extrovert - have you found anything in common personally yet?"

Donald Trump: "Actually I'm not as brash as you might think."

[Audience laughter]

Donald Trump: "And I can tell you that I think we're going to get along very well. You know, it's interesting because I am a people person. I think you are also, Theresa. And, ah - I can often tell how I get along with somebody very early, and I believe we're going to have a fantastic relationship...."

During the 15:51 - 15:52 segment, as Trump says, "... I am a people person ...", the President touches his chest with his right hand. Look at the detail though - for Trump only touches with his fingers while his palm remains elevated off his chest. When there is no "palmar" touch during such "illustrators" - the gesture has a low sincerity quotient. This is very similar to what occurs during a hug when one of the "huggers" is less-than-enthusiastic about hugging - and their fingers touch without the palm of the hand touching. If you're observant, you've certainly felt such a "palmless" hug yourself from time to time.

Moreover, the President is touching the right side of his chest - not over his heart. When we hold an infant for the first time, we instinctively know to place their head next to our heart - on our LEFT side. During moments of sincere affection and sincere intimacy - we strongly tend to pull the other person to our "heart side" - our LEFT side.

This is a classic body language cluster of "Feigned Sincerity".

Intriguingly, it also takes more effort for the right hand to touch on the right side of one's chest - it's a more natural motion (and takes less energy) for the right hand to touch the left side of the chest.

Conclusion: Donald Trump does not truly believe he is a "People Person".

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3830: Donald Trump, Enrique Peña Nieto and the Proposed Wall Along the Mexican-US Border

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3828: Donald Trump's Body Language Display Rarely Used By Any Past President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3826: Kellyanne Conway to Chuck Todd, Press Secretary Sean Spicer Gave 'Alternative Facts'

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3819: Turkey's Parliament, Presidential Powers and Constitutional Amendments

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3802: Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey and UFC 207

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3774: Luke Bryan Hits/Slaps a Fan For Flipping Him Off

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3756: Amy Adams, Anxiety and Hesitancy to Disclose

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3691: Natalie Portman's Emotional Tell


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3622: Theresa May's First Speech as Prime Minister - Body Language Faux Pas (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Theresa May became the UK's new Prime Minister today. She also gave her first speech outside of Number 10. Understandably she was a bit nervous and this manifested in several ways - one in particular is discussed here.

The PM gestured with her hands and arms so minimally throughout the majority of the speech, that they did not emerge from behind the lectern until the 3:10 mark.

Certainly there are some who use their hands and arms too often or too dramatically (e.g., Bernie Sanders) - while others who use them in a fashion "out of sync" with their spoken words. In each of these cases, these "Illustrators" lose their potency or convey conflicting messages and thus backfire. However using one's hands and arms too minimally (or not at all) projects a timidity, a beta emotional tone and lack of confidence. Moreover when people hide their hands (in pockets, under the table, behind the lectern, etc.) we trust them less.

This particular lectern the Prime Minister is using should be perhaps 10 percent shorter - as well as reduced in width. It would help tremendously if it was made from a transparent material - and of a slimmer design. The more others see of you - the more they tend to trust you. The way this lectern is configured now, she's largely blocked - so that when Mrs. May makes minimal gestures with her hands, this remains unseen. The audience and camera only see it manifested as a shoulder shrug. Shrugs of course have their context (and some of Mrs. May's may indeed be "only" shrugs), but when these are displayed too frequently - it will further lower confidence (both of those using it as well as those watching).

One occasion when hands and arms usage should be quite minimal - is just after a tragedy.

 
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. 3621: Bernie Sanders Endorses Hillary Clinton

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2935: David Cameron and ISIL-ISIS-IS

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2409: David Cameron & François Hollande - Variations on the Hand Chop & Palm Orientation

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3526: Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler Meet - the Munich Agreement

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3617: President Obama and Speaker Ryan regarding the Dallas Shooting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3407: GOP Debate, the National Anthem and Shades of Napoleon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3207: Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3609: Emma Watson, Tina Turner, Ring Tones and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Quiz No. 3120: Benjamin Netanyahu Speaking Before Joint Session of Congress - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Nearly everyone is aware that today Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech before a joint session of the United States Congress as well as the controversial manner in which he was invited. If you watched the speech (the full video is below), you may have noticed that for a large percentage of the time, the Israeli Prime Minister spoke with his mouth in an asymmetrical configuration - biased to his right. A momentary asymmetrical mouth while speaking has a modestly long list of nonverbal possibilities (depending on the other body language with which it is clustered).

However when we see such asymmetry for longer durations - as Mr. Netanyahu exemplified today - it has a different set of causes. These are:

1. A Medical or Anatomical cause
2. Idiosyncratic to the individual (habit or tic)
3. Insincerity or deception
4. A manifestation of Bravado (Nonverbal Swagger)

Do you know how to differentiate between these four causes? Which of these were applicable to Benjamin Netanyahu today?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3119: Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama - What Body Language Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2559: John Boehner's Body Language - Microexpression of Contempt vs. Facial Tic 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2236:  John Boehner & the Fiscal Cliff Plan B Failure - Body Language of Duping Delight 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3002: How NOT to sit in the Oval Office - Mitch McConnell ... your Beta is Showing 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2857: Barack Obama on Syria, Belief that Syrian opposition could have overthrown Assad with U.S. arms a "fantasy" - Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2536: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani Interview with Christiane Amanpour; Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2198:  Susan Rice's Body Language at United Nations -  Her First Public Appearance Since her Initial  Post Benghazi Attack T.V. interviews

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3119: Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama - What Body Language Tells Us (PHOTOS)

Much has been made of the relationship - or the lack thereof - between Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama. This image was taken during a 2010 visit of the Israeli Prime Minister. While this is only one photo from one occasion - and it's always VERY important to look at the gestalt - this is very consistent and representative of one and a key aspect of Netanyahu's body language - and thus also his mindset.

Note Netanyahu's body position relative to Obama. Although we cannot see his feet in this photo, from the position of his legs we can say with a high degree of confidence that his feet are pointed towards the camera and NOT to Obama. However the U.S. President's body is shifted considerably towards his counterpart and at least his left foot is pointed in the Israeli leader's direction. 

Human beings point their bodies - the torso, lower abdomen, hips, knees - and particularly our feet towards those to whom we're attracted (not applicable here of course) or in the direction of those whom we respect. Mr. Netanyahu's body language is markedly disparate from his words. When the nonverbal and the verbal languages are in disagreement - it's the nonverbal which always tells the truths.

What other significant nonverbal signals do you see in this photo?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3118: Leonard Nimoy, Spock and the Vulcan Hand Signal/Salute - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2598: Benjamin Netanyahu's Body Language regarding Iran Nuclear Proliferation and Negotiations

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2970: Benjamin Netanyahu & Barack Obama at the White House - What Netanyahu Really Feels

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3068: John Boehner Kissing Nancy Pelosi - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2318:  John Boehner at Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling  A Body Language Signal of Squelching Tears 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2353: Barack Obama and $100 Million for Brain Research  Body Language of False Mastication with Tongue in Cheek 

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3008: President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Shinzō Abe of Japan Meet in Beijing (PHOTOS)

President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Shinzō Abe of Japan held a short meeting today in Beijing. In the image above both men - but Xi Jinping in particular, are turning towards photographers. When World leaders meet, handshakes are contextualized differently compared with almost all other scenarios - yet any rapport garnered, via a handshake or otherwise is rarely more important. Facing the eyes, head, torso or lower body away from the other person and towards a camera in the midst of a handshake is profoundly disrespectful. Far too little emphasis and attention are placed on the interpersonal aspects of most all meetings - as if human beings were made of only fact and logic.

If we look at President Xi Jinping's face in the image above, the primary emotion he is displaying is that of disgust - while Prime Minister Shinzō Abe is expressing regret (can you discern these nonverbal components?)

In this second image which took place a few seconds earlier, we see Xi Jinping leaning considerably  backwards during the initial seconds of a handshake - when he and Shinzō Abe - should be leaning slightly forward. This is also a rapport destroying configuration - betraying Xi Jinping's hesitancy, disrespect and relative non-engagement in the moment and for diplomacy with Abe and/or Japan.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3007: Man Flags Down Reporter, Confesses to Shooting, Carjacks Reporter's Vehicle, then Crashes it into a Gasoline Tank - Smiling Out of Context

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2616: John Kennedy and Richard Nixon Handshake at Kennedy Inaugural Address, One Body Language Maneuver to Counter a Dominance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1874:  Mitt Romney's Bad Handshake - Political Prevalence 

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

Negotiation Secret # 703: Bad Handshake?  Let me count the ways!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2306:  George W. Bush trapped in Room -  Body Language's Microexpression of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2032:  Hillary Clinton in Paris -  Building a Coalition Against Syrian President al-Assad

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2970: Benjamin Netanyahu & Barack Obama at the White House - What Netanyahu Really Feels (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

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Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington D.C. today to discuss a Mideast peace agreement and a nuclear deal with Iran. In the short video above he is seen making a statement at the White House with Barack Obama by his side. And although the Israeli Prime Minister's words were that of unity and thanks, he displayed a classic nonverbal signal of disgust. His words were not congruent with his thought-emotions.

This image (and its close up below) show clear disgust on Netanyahu's face. It lasts for less than a few tenths of a second during the 0:07 - 0:08 segment of the video, thus it is classified as a microexpression. This is subconsciously generated and while the Prime Minister is a skilled public speaker with a skilled "poker face", strong feelings are impossible to suppress entirely and constantly - so they leak out. And if you know what to look - you will see what virtually everyone will miss.

At 0:03 Netanyahu begins, "Mr. President first I want to thank you. I want to thank you for the ah [pause][disgust microexpression] unflinching support you gave Israel during our difficult days ...."

This particular example of disgust is very evanescent and not fully formed. A more extreme disgust display includes varying degrees of:

•    Wrinkles on the bridge of the Nose
•    Accentuated nasal labial furrows on the sides of the nose
•    Lower Lip is raised and protruded
•    Upper Lip is raised (sometimes very high) and slightly protruded
•    The upper lip and the area between the upper lip and nose (mustache area) is tightened
•    Flaring of the nostrils
•    Lowering of the eyebrows (but they are not drawn together as in anger)
•    Crow’s Feet on the lateral sides of the eyes
•    Chin wrinkling/dimpling
•    Forehead relaxed
•    Pulling the arms close to the torso, with a bending of elbow & hands often drawn toward mouth 
•    Pulling back/retraction of the head, neck, torso 
•    Stepping backwards or leaning to opposite side - away from object of disgust

Disgust can be directed at a thing, a person or a group of people.

The ability to spot often very brief and subtle thought-emotion displays are a skill that very few have but which every single person can profoundly benefit. Whenever there is a disparity between what is said verbally and displayed nonverbally - it is the nonverbal that always tells the truth.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2969: Maggie Q, David Letterman, Empathy and Sincerity Quotients

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2598: Benjamin Netanyahu's Body Language regarding Iran Nuclear Proliferation and Negotiation

Nonverbal Communication Intelligence No. 2113:  Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran, the U.S. and the  Self-Righteous Head Wiggle

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1496:  Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2443: Kristen Wiig's Disgust & Fear Face - Graham Norton, Chris O'Dowd and Fly Eating

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. 2771: Australian PM Tony Abbott regarding Malaysian Airlines MH370 Search - Body Language Misinterpretations and Regret (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The hunt for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 has captured much of the World's attention during the last three weeks. Yesterday Tony Abbott, the Australian Prime Minister, spoke again on the issue and his country's commitment to leading the search.

Mr. Abbott's nonverbals in this video provide some very illustrative and valuable lessons. Of the two examples discussed here, one is a false signal - oft misinterpreted, and the other is a rarely recognized microexpression. What follows is a partial body language analysis:

At multiple times throughout this video, Mr. Abbott's central forehead and left forehead muscles can be seen to be contracting - while Mr. Abbott's right forehead remains relaxed. This is most probably due to old trauma damaging a portion of the P.M.'s right facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII) or some other cause of facial nerve palsy (e.g. a partially resolved  idiopathic cause aka Bell's Palsy).





It is also possible (although doubtful in this example) that a significantly asymmetrical forehead contraction be secondary to uneven administration of Botox.

This asymmetry can often lead to the erroneous impression that Mr. Abbott is doubtful or in frank disbelief of his own or others peoples' statements (e.g. if he displayed this same expression while he was listening).

Great care must be taken is such circumstances to avoid this false-incredulity nonverbal.

Beginning at 0:49, Mr. Abbott continues, "... We are searching a vast area of ocean, and ah, we are working on, ah, quite limited information. Never the less, the - best brains in the World - are applying themselves to this task, ah, all of the technological mastery that we have, ah, is being applied and brought to bear here [deep inhalation with downward distant gaze] .... so, [microexpression of regret at 1:14] ... if this mystery IS solvable, ah, we will solve it. But I don't want to underestimate just how difficult it is..."

Note how the left corner of Mr. Abbott's mouth evanescently contracts laterally in this example of a microexpression of regret.

In distinction to the first example in this post, an important distinction to see here is how only Mr. Abbott's central forehead is contracted (CFC) in this instant. Coupled with his left-mouth microexpression of regret, his downward, distant gaze and slightly downward directed inner (medial) eyebrows, this cluster is highly correlative for significant emotional pain - most significantly expressing empathy for those lost on MH370 and their loved-ones.

There is a multitude of other body language in this video. What other signals did you notice?

See also:

Negotiation Body Language Analysis # 991:  Australia's Aboriginal Angst and Julia Gillard's Hands

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2457:  Surfer Gets Knocked Unconscious by Whale  Body Language Basics from Bondi Beach

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2227:  Sincerity and Insincerity regarding  Suicide Death of Jacintha Saldanha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2261:  Mom pulls Python off of her 2 year old daughter -  Body Language & Microexpression of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2414:  Sen. John McCain after his Trip to Syria -  Body Language of Regret and Contempt  ... and Facial Nerve Palsy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2770: Oscar Pistorius and Contrasting Confidence Levels - Body Language

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

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