Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3673: Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin separate after Sexting Scandal - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

After Anthony Weiner's third sexting scandal, Huma Abedin announced today the couple is separating. Weiner is a former seven term U.S. congressman and has sought multiple mayoral candidacies of New York City. Ms. Abedin is vice chairwoman of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign for President and has also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Hillary Clinton during her term as U.S. Secretary of State.

The image above and the close up below were taken on the red carpet at the 2016 New York City Metropolitan Ball.

From a body language perspective, we can see Anthony Weiner standing with his arms and hands in a "Fig Leaf" configuration. This is sometimes referred to as "Genital Guarding". While there are certainly occasions when a person should use this arm-hand nonverbal signal - such as when standing next to high level clergy, during a wedding or funeral ceremony, when next to a person of high power (particularly when next to them on stage, TV, etc.) - and in these settings it projects deference and respect. Yet in the vast majority of settings the fig leaf should be avoided. Here it sends strong signals of low confidence and low emotional comfort (contrast Weiner's low-energy, beta stance with the high-energy, alpha body language of the police officer in the background).

When we evaluate Mr. Weiner's facial nonverbals, we can see can see strong signals of emotional dissonance. His mouth is forming a "Blocked Inward Lip Roll". An inward lip roll is a common facial signal seen when the subconscious is trying to suppress strong emotions from growing further. It's also used to avoid a more full outward expression from crescendoing. Here the typical inward lip roll cannot be fully formed because of Weiner's jaw clenching. His tighten jaw muscles can be easily seen and is further highlighted by the dimpling on his chin. Note also the extreme tension of his "mustache area" as well as his dramatic flaring of his nostrils. There is also significant tension of his lower eyelids.

Conclusion: Anthony Weiner displays significant emotional dissonance. His face projects anger and frustration while his fig leaf hand position is an attempt to very literally cover up what he has otherwise inadvertently made very public. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3672: Jessica Alba, Swass, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3668: Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and The Brexit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3648: Hillary Clinton, “I may have short-circuited”

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3636: Donald Trump, Hillary's Emails, Putin and Russia

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3594: Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Fareed Zakaria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3561: Catchphrase, Andy Samberg, Bryce Harper, Gigi Hadid and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3534: Taylor Swift's (Vogue's) Rapid-fire 73 Q & A Session

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3380: Adele at the BBC, When Adele was disguised as Jenny


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2338: Why Does Keit Pentus-Rosimannus feel Fear? Body Language of Estonia's Minister of Environment

From a nonverbal communication perspective, this interview from 25 November 2012 of Keit Pentus-Rosimannus displays several very significant tells. One body language sign in particular is highlighted here.

After being asked by Ms. Kadri Jakobson if she was aware of a lawsuit being filled against her and others for 500 000€, she replies, "This is the first time that I hear of this. I have no relations with this company."

Then the Estonian Minister of Environment was asked, "Have you been dealing with this company during 2010-2011?"

Vice-Chairwoman of Estonia's Reform Party then said, "No I have not. The company used to belong to my father which in 2010 as you say was sold."

At the juncture of 0:50 - 0:51 mark, just after this last sentence, Ms. Pentus-Rosimannus makes a highly characteristic nonverbal display in the form of a microexpression of fear. The corner of her mouth pulls back and slightly down (the mouth of fear) while her neck also tightens in an unmistakable fashion (neck of fear). Both of these nonverbals are extremely evanescent. This is an extremely good example of a subtle, yet definitive microexpression of fear - one of the best you'll ever see.

A microexpression is an extremely brief, but very reliable emotional display which is initiated by the subconscious. Fear is but one of several emotions which can be manifested in this way. While we cannot say precisely why she feels this primal emotion, it is absolutely present. 

If you were in Keit Pentus-Rosimannus's shoes and you were telling the truth, it is always possible that you would feel the fear which may accompany a false accusation. So we must be careful not to always and automatically ascribe guilt to all fear displays - lest we commit the "Othello Error" (Ekman). 

However, although she is being question, she is not really being accused by Ms. Jakobson. If the Minister was hearing for the first time about such a lawsuit (and it were unfounded), her primary emotion should be that of anger (which is also very common when politicians are questioned by members of the press - and which she does indeed display and to a fair degree suppresses at other times during the video). But in such a scenario, a fear display would be unusual.  And yet we see it here.

It may be fear of false accusation. It may be fear for another (empathy-based). It may be fear based on guilt. But make no mistake - Ms. Keit Pentus-Rosimannus absolutely feels fear. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2274: The Eyes & Mouth of Fear -  Body Language of Ahmed Dogan during  Attempted Assassination

Body Language Secret # 702: Blake Lively's Mouth of Fear,  trying to Smile and  Forehead of Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2019:  Sarah Palin's "Co-Hosting" on The Today Show -  She Fears Romney's Candidacy

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2297:  Rooney Mara on Conan O'Brien  Common Body Language Tell  Fear Apology Query Expression-Cluster

Negotiation Secret # 329: Angela Merkel's Neck of Fear

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2030: Barclays, Bob Diamond, LIBOR and Anxiety - The False-Tie Adjust

Bob Diamond, the CEO of Barclays Bank resigned on Tuesday. This amid what appears to be the biggest scandal in banking history - of manipulating the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) affecting over 500 Trillion dollars worth of loans. The firms COO, Jerry del Missier resigned as well. Last week Barclays was fined a record amount for fixing rates - $455 Million (U.S.D). Incredibly, Marcus Agius, the Chairman who resigned on Monday, returned on Tuesday to fill the Chairman's position. Messy. Now, according to Diamonds testimony in a Parliamentary hearing and company documents, it is alleged and appears as if there may have been pressure from the Bank of England via Paul Tucker and other "senior Whitehall figures".

Diamond is displaying a "false-Tie Adjust" - a common male body language signal indicative of anxiety, fear, vulnerability or concern. It seems he has some good reason for such anxiety. This example of an nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) has female analogs as well - playing with a necklace, touching or rubbing the lower neck - at or just above the manubrium (the upper portion of the sternum).

Diamond is used to being in the limelight - as are all senior executives - and in the above photo his poker face isn't bad. But human he is, and his emotions and thoughts leak out for everyone to see - just like the rest of us - if you know what to look for...

Other banks being investigated for similar possible corruption include Deutsche Bank, UBS, Citigroup, Royal Bank of Scotland, JPMorgan Chase and Credit Suisse.

See also:

Analysis # 97: Berlusconi's false tie Adjust 

Analysis # 1209: Even Putin has Anxiety - False Tie Adjust

Analysis # 1927: Italy's Fans watching EURO 2012 - Expressions of Fear



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