Body Language Analysis No. 4362: Mohammed bin Salman regarding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Mohammed bin Salman, together with other heads-of-state, will be meeting later this week in Buenos Aires at the G20 Summit. The Saudi leader made his first public comment regarding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on 24 October 2018. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the Crown Prince's behavior during this event.

Mohammed bin Salman's translated statement (as provided with this video) follows:

"First of all, the crime was really painful to all Saudis and I believe, it is painful to every human in the world. It is a heinous crime that cannot be justified. Today Saudi Arabia is carrying out all legal things to finalize the investigation, to cooperate with the Turkish government and to present the perpetrators to the court and take their judgement. This is the expected thing that all governments would do once they see a crime. Undoubtedly the cooperation today between the Saudi and Turkish government is unique and we know that many are trying to use this painful thing to drive a wedge between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. I would like to send a message: They will not be able to do that as long as there is a king called King Salman Abdul Aziz - [another long pause with audience applause] and a crown prince called Mohammed bin Salman, in Saudi Arabia - [long pause with audience applause] - and a President in Turkey called Erdoğan. This wedge will not - [pause with audience applause]. This wedge will not happen and we will prove to the world that the two governments are cooperating to see that all perpetrators are taken to court - and that justice will be seen in the end. This is what I can say regarding this issue [audience applause]."

During 0:06, Mohammed bin Salam sniffs quite dramatically - a dynamic he displays many times during this relatively short statement. This is camouflaged contempt.

Rather than an overt contempt display - the psyche disguises it with a sniff.

Now, look back one second (during 0:05). The Saudi prince displays a Central Forehead Contraction (CFC) - more specifically this is an Elevated CFC (note his inner [medial] eyebrows elevating). It's profoundly important to observe what the mouth is doing simultaneously or nearly simultaneously - and as we just observed, a second later, it's projecting contempt.

If he truly felt sorrow and empathy for Jamal Khashoggi - and/or if he sincerely felt that "... the crime was really painful to all Saudis and I believe, it is painful to every human in the world...", then Mohammed bin Salman would instead have had a mouth of sadness - with its corners down-turned - together with his elevated central forehead contraction - and he absolutely would NEVER display contempt (disguised or otherwise).

A few seconds later, during 0:12, the Saudi Prince displays Disgust combined with Feigned Consideration.

Less than a second later (0:12), he again displays contempt - this time it's seen on the opposite side of his face - and it's not buried in the ruse of a sniff.

Less than a second later (0:13), the Prince displays an elevated central forehead contraction.

So, once again the juxtaposition of an elevated CFC with contempt signals a profound red flag.

During 0:24, as he says, "... with the Turkish government and to present the perpetrators to the court...", Mohammed bin Salam positions his arm/elbow up on the back of the chair. Note once again we see an elevated central forehead in the absence of mouth sadness.

In this context, such a cluster of behavior displays an intriguing dissonance. For while there is an attempt to project a confident, hyper-alpha emotional tone, the holding of his own hand betrays his need for cover and protection.

During 0:34 - we see a more dramatic contempt camouflaged in a sniff.

With another elevated CFC display seen just an instant prior to the contempt ...

... and another, longer duration, elevated CFC immediately after the contempt (during 0:35 - 0:41)

And more clandestine contempt-sniffing during 0:47

Again, contempt simultaneous with the beginnings of a Loose Tongue Jut (0:54)

Here, his Loose Tongue Jut is fully expressed (0:55).

A loose tongue jut signifies the thought-emotions of:

• I've been bad
• I've been caught
• I've done a stupid thing

Another elevated CFC (0:56)

This contempt display - during 1:05 as he mentions his father, King Salman Abdul Aziz, is accompanied by the narrowing/partial closing of his eyelids. This eyelid dynamic, although not required, here serves as a contempt amplifier.

As the audience gives an extended applause for the King, Mohammed bin Salman again displays more contempt.

During 1:10, Mohammed bin Salam reconfigures his hands and arms into a modified fig leaf as he prepares to say his own name. This is significantly beta body language demonstrating the Saudi leader's feeling of vulnerability and is maintained as he mentions Erdoğan.

During 1:25, the Prince displays another Loose Tongue Jut just after he speaks his own name.

During 1:39 he resumes his emotionally dissonant posture while attempting to appear relaxed and alpha (hyper-alpha).

More contempt during 1:50

Yet again juxtaposed with another elevated central forehead contraction (1:51)

As human beings, we're all are allowed to occasionally feel contempt - but hopefully, not too often. When contempt is exhibited so frequently - particularly in public, it's highly correlated with Impulse Control Disorder.

Mohammed bin Salman's contempt is also coupled with many displays of Elevated Central Forehead Contractions. If this pattern is seen over time, the correlation with Antisocial Personality Disorder (Sociopathy) is extremely likely.

SUMMARY:

Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, does not feel any empathy or sadness in the murder of the Jamal Khashoggi. Moreover, he feels dramatic contempt toward the dissident journalist as well as those who would question him in the killing of Khashoggi.

Intriguingly, Mohammed bin Salman also has contempt for his father, King Salman Abdul Aziz.

In addition, Mohammed bin Salman's nonverbal behavior, standing on its own, indicates with very high probability, that he orchestrated the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. When one couples the Prince's body language behavior together with the CIA's recent conclusion - the Crown Prince's guilt is solidified.

Media Inquiries and Group Appearances 

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

702-239-8503

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4361: Donald Trump "Jokes" about leaving office

Body Language Analysis No. 4359: Trump and Putin in Paris

Body Language Analysis No. 4357: Donald Trump's response, "What a stupid question"

Body Language Analysis No. 4355: Comparing Donald Trump and the Tree of Life Synagogue to Ronald Reagan and the Challenger Disaster

Body Language Analysis No. 4353: The Murder of Jamal Khashoggi and Trump's Defense of Saudi Arabia

Body Language Analysis No. 4347: Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings - Part I

Body Language Analysis No. 4263: Kellyanne Conway regarding James Comey's Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 4336: Alita: Battle Angel, Large Eyes, and Sexual Attraction 

Body Language Analysis No. 4325: Part II - Trump Putin Helsinki Summit Press Conference

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Body Language Analysis No. 4348: Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings - Part II - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The following is my second analysis of a portion of Brett Kavanaugh's testimony during his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on 27 September 2018.

JOHN KENNEDY (beginning at 3:45:39): I’m — I’m sorry, judge, for what you and your family have been through. And I’m sorry - for what Dr. Ford and her family have been through. It could have been avoided [long pause] Do you believe in God?

BRETT KAVANAUGH: I do.

JOHN KENNEDY: I’m going to give you a last opportunity, right here, right in front of God and country. I want you to look me in the eye. Are Doctor Ford’s allegations true?

BRETT KAVANAUGH: They are not as to me. I have not questioned that she might have been sexually assaulted at some point in her life by someone, someplace. But as to me, I’ve never done this - never done this to her or to anyone else.  And I’ve talked to you about, ah, what I was doing that summer of 1982. But I’m telling ya I’ve never done this - to anyone, [stutter] in- including her.

JOHN KENNEDY: Are Ms. Ramirez’s allegations about you true?

BRETT KAVANAUGH: Those are not. Um, she — ah, no — no — none of the witnesses in the room support that. Ah, the — if that — that had happened, I would have been the talk of campus, ah, in our freshman dorm.  The New York Times reported that as - recently as last week, ah, she was calling other classmates seeking to — well, I’m not going to characterize it — but calling classmates last week and - just seemed very - um - I’ll just stop there. But it’s not true. It’s not true.

JOHN KENNEDY: Are Ms. Swetnick’s allegations, made by Mr. Avenatti about you, true?

BRETT KAVANAUGH: Those are not true. Never met her, don’t know who she is. There’s this, a —  letter released within two hours of that breaking yesterday, from I think sixty people who knew me in high school - men and women, who said it was, ah — their word’s 'nonsense' — totally, ya know, whole thing that — totally ridiculous.

JOHN KENNEDY: None of these allegations are true?

BRETT KAVANAUGH: Correct.

JOHN KENNEDY: No doubt in your mind?

BRETT KAVANAUGH: Zero. I’m a hundred percent certain.

JOHN KENNEDY: Not even a scintilla?

BRETT KAVANAUGH: Not a scintilla. A hundred percent certain, senator.

JOHN KENNEDY: You swear to God?

BRETT KAVANAUGH: I swear to God.

JOHN KENNEDY: [long pause] 'at's all I have, judge.

CHUCK GRASSLEY: Judge Kavanaugh, thank you very much.  Hearing adjourned.

During 3:46:01, just after Kavanaugh says, "I do [believe in God]", Senator Kennedy displays a simultaneous Inward Lip Roll together with a Jaw Jut.

An inward lip roll (ILR) is a nonverbal manifestation of one's psyche trying to suppress strong emotions.

A jaw jut signals a surge of adrenaline.

Two seconds later, during 3:46:03 - 3:46:06, Senator Kennedy scratches his left eyebrow and just above his eyebrow.

This eyebrow scratch indicates, with high probability that Kennedy doubts Kavanaugh's truthfulness. We are witnessing Senator Kennedy in a moment of cognitive-emotional dissonance - for he absolutely wants another conservative Republican justice on the Supreme Court, but he doubts Kavanaugh's own belief in God.

Then Kennedy goes on to say, "I’m going to give you a last opportunity, right here, right in front of God and country. I want you to look me in the eye. Are Dr. Ford’s allegations true?"

Listen carefully to Kennedy's word choice and the tone in his voice. This is the precise verbiage and tone that so many parents use when giving their children one "last opportunity" to tell the truth - when they know their child is lying.

Kennedy knows Kavanaugh is lying.

Senator Kennedy's order of "I want you to look me in the eye" also shows Kennedy's (false) belief that if a person looks you in the eye (not breaking eye contact) and denies something, he must be telling you the truth. This is false.

Eye contact during deception either increases (crucially, often to a stare) - or it decreases, with the deceptive person looking away (usually down, and more often down and to their right). Thus, by telling Kavanaugh to look him in the eye, Kennedy removed some of the indecisiveness that a liar naturally feels during the moment of lie-telling (e.g., Where should I look? What should I do? What, exactly, should I say?). By giving him one less thing to do (skillful lying is a dramatic multitasking event), Kennedy made it easier for Kavanaugh to lie. Kennedy lightened Kavanaugh's mental-emotional load.

Therefore, when you're in a position of authority and you suspect someone could possibly be lying, never say, "Look me in the eye". Don't provide them a script or stage directions. Liars lie much more easily when you choreograph for them. Never throw them a life preserver - rather let them swim in the rough seas of their own making.

Just as Senator Kennedy says, "... in front of God ...", Kavanaugh displays a Forward Lip Purse (3:46:11, not to be confused with a lateral lip purse) as he turns his head, neck, and eyes away from Kennedy to get a drink. This gives him an opportunity to break eye contact (note, as referenced above, he's also looking down and to his right).

A forward lip purse indicates a deliberate act - a lack of full disclosure of information (e.g., a clandestine plan or withheld disagreement and/or facts).

This image was captured during 3:46:12 - 3:46:14, as Kavanaugh raises the glass of water to his mouth. While some people do project their tongue in the instant before a drink, this is atypical and the tongue usually does not extend this far out of the mouth. Even if this is a normal dynamic for Kavanaugh (he did display it at other times during this hearing, although there were times he didn't), it also allows for one to exhibit a typical Loose Tongue Jut (not to be confused with a tight tongue jut or a wide open tongue jut). A loose tongue jut conveys the thought emotions of: "I've been bad", "I've done a stupid thing", and/or "I got caught".

Of course, anxiety does dry out the throat and mouth, and frequent drinks of water is normal in such a context.

During 3:46:16, as Kennedy says, "... eye ..." ("... I want you to look me in the eye ..."), Kavanaugh displays an overt Macroexpression of disgust camouflaged within a sniff (in distinction to a Microexpression).

Judge Kavanaugh exhibited such disgust-sniffing many times throughout this hearing (please see the first cross-reference link below for a more detailed analysis of this specific nonverbal behavior).

Five seconds later, during 3:46:21, Kavanaugh displayed a Microexpression of contempt and/or disgust (almost none of the left side of his face is showing, so these two particular emotional displays can't be differentiated in this instance), just as Kennedy says the word, "... true ..." ("I want you to look me in the eye. Are Doctor Ford's allegations true?").

It's quite subtle. View the video first at full speed, then at 1/2 and 1/4 speeds - and once again at full speed. Lather, rinse, repeat. Additionally, review it in this same manner several times a week for the next few months. This practice will dramatically increase your ability to discern this as well as microexpressions associated with other emotions - in real time.

During Kennedy's questioning of Kavanaugh about allegations regarding Dr. Ford (3:46:24 - 3:46:47), although Kavanaugh denies wrongdoing, he nods his head up-and-down several times (in the affirmative) during his denials. Such verbal-nonverbal disparity is highly significant and strongly indicative of deception.

Notice too, that for this same split-second Kavanaugh displays an expression of Fear.

Not to be overlooked, is Judge Kavanaugh's stuttering during 3:46:46, as he says, "in- including" ("... But I’m telling ya I’ve never done this - to anyone, in- including her ...").

During 3:46:45 - 3:46:56, as Kavanaugh says, "... to anyone, [stutter] in- including her", continuing through as Senator Kennedy asks, "Are Ms. Ramirez’s allegations about you true?", and ongoing during a portion of his subsequent denial, "Those are not. Um, she ...", Brett Kavanaugh grips his right index finger with his left hand.

Index finger gripping MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) is indicative of significant anxiety. Moreover, in this context, where sexual assault is being alleged, it's particularly symbolic and suggestive of guilt.

Kavanaugh displays a Hard Swallow (indicative of significantly elevated anxiety) during 3:46:48, just after he says, "I’ve never done this - to anyone, [stutter] in- including her."

A person who is telling the truth rarely swallows hard after declaring their innocence.

When asked, about Ms. Ramirez's allegations, Kavanaugh once more nods his head up-and-down while saying, "Those are not" (during 3:46:53 - 3:46:55). Although Brett Kavanaugh's spoken words are saying, "No", nonverbally he's saying, "Yes".

Whenever there's disparity between the verbal language and the body language - it's the body language which is telling the truth.

During 3:47:08, just after he says, "... our freshman dorm ...", Kavanaugh displays another classic microexpression of contempt (please watch this at regular speed and in slow motion).

Brett Kavanaugh displays another Hard Swallow during 3:47:32, as Senator Kennedy speaks the second syllable of Ms. Swetnick's name ("Are Ms. Swetnick’s allegations, made by Mr. Avenatti about you, true?").

The allegations regarding Ms. Swetnick evoke a greater level of anxiety in Judge Kavanaugh (compared with those he feels toward Dr. Ford or Ms. Ramirez).

Less than a second after his hard swallow, Kavanaugh displays yet another Forward Lip Purse (still during 3:47:32).

Again, a forward lip purse indicates a deliberate act - a lack of full disclosure of information (e.g., a clandestine plan or withheld disagreement and/or facts).

A second later, during 47:33, as Kennedy says, "... allegations ...", Kavanaugh displays another overt Disgust-Sniff (a camouflaged Macroexpression).

Kavanaugh displays another Forward Lip Purse (47:35) as Senator Kennedy says, "made by".

Notice also, how Brett Kavanaugh omits the first person singular pronoun "I" when he says, "Never met her, don’t know who she is", when referring to Ms. Swetnick. From a statement analysis perspective, this verbal omission indicates significantly less ownership and belief in his own declarations. Such 'I dropping' is correlative with deception.

SUMMARY:

Judge Kavanaugh's nonverbal behavior indicates he's lying as well as deliberately withholding information (lies of omission). He believes he is guilty of sexual assault. Kavanaugh's anxiety is particularly elevated toward Ms. Swetnick.

Senator Kennedy has significant cognitive-emotional dissonance, for he also believes Brett Kavanaugh is guilty of sexual assault, yet he wants a conservative justice on the Supreme Court. Moreover, Kennedy questions Brett Kavanaugh's belief in God.

Group Appearances and One-on-One

Online Courses Available 

702-239-8503

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4347: Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings - Part I

Body Language Analysis No. 4345: World Leaders Laugh at Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly

Body Language Analysis No. 4342: Alleged Jacksonville Shooter David Katz

Body Language Analysis No. 4340: Ruby Rose gets Emotional regarding her new Role as Batwoman

Body Language Analysis No. 4338: Donald Trump, Omarosa, and Wikileaks Emails

Body Language Analysis No. 4336: Alita: Battle Angel, Large Eyes, and Sexual Attraction

Body Language Analysis No. 4302: G7 Leaders Surrounding Donald Trump

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4245: Security Video of Stephen Paddock (1 October Las Vegas Shooter) - My KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas Interview
 

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Body Language Analysis No. 4347: Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings - Part I - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In case you hadn't heard, on Wednesday 27 September 2018, both Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. This hearing could supply a year's worth of nonverbal teaching examples and it would close to impossible to analyze the entire event in one session. Thus, what follows is the first of several analyses of this historic exchange.

Many times during his testimony, Brett Kavanaugh dramatically sniffed. No doubt some of his sniffings were secondary to his tears. Possibly a portion of his sniffing was associated with allergies, perhaps a case of post-nasal drip, or maybe a side effect of medications. Yet, without a doubt, a large fraction of his sniffing was not associated with any of these aforementioned etiologies - but was behavioral.

One such example of this atypical sniffing can be seen during the above video, in Brett Kavanaugh's exchange with Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Beginning at 3:22, Senator Feinstein continues, "And, and what you're saying, if, if I understand it, is that the allegations by Dr. Ford, Ms. Ramirez, and Ms. Svetnick [sic] - Ω  Swetnick, um, are - are wrong."

During 3:31, just after Senator Feinstein mispronounces Ms. Swetnick's name (notated by a Ω symbol) and then, continuing during her re-pronunciation, Brett Kavanaugh displays one of these dramatic sniffing moments.

But this is no simple sniff, rather it's a classic and very pronounced disgust display camouflaged by sniffing.

Although this behavior can be fully conscious, it usually is subconsciously driven or a phenomenon occurring at the edge-of-consciousness.

Because it is disguised as a normal and common physiologic behavior, such disgust-sniffing is analogous to flipping someone your middle finger directly in front of their face. It's hate hiding in plain sight.

SUMMARY: Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh projected numerous disgust displays throughout today's hearing - cloaked in sniffing. In the example shown here, it's clear that he holds a particularly high level of disgust toward Julie Swetnick. Judge Kavanaugh's need for such a strong and frequent emotional display was one of his several behaviors highly correlative with Impulse Control Disorder.

Group Appearances and One-on-One

Online Courses Available 

702-239-8503

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4346: Brett Kavanaugh's Fox News Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 4343: Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Anxiety, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4341: Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, and Hush Money

Body Language Analysis No. 4334: Ivanka Trump and the Pistol Steeple

Body Language Analysis No. 4326: Carter Page's near-constant Smile

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4299: Bill Clinton confronted regarding Monica Lewinsky Affair

Body Language Analysis No. 4289: A Royal Wedding, Suppression of Tears, and Meghan Markle's Mom

Body Language Analysis No. 4264: Criminal Profiling - Sketch of Man Who Allegedly Threatened Stormy Daniels Over Her Affair with Donald Trump

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Body Language Analysis No. 4291: Donald Trump and Disguising Disgust - "I don't know who the hell wrote that line" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Admit it. There are times when you want to flip someone off - but, given the social setting, you would absolutely suffer the consequences. Often times this emotional dissonance occurs at the subconscious or edge-of-consciousness level. In such scenarios, you may find yourself grabbing your middle finger beneath the table, scratching your neck or ear with that same finger - or maybe using that extended third digit to pull up your sock. These are examples of what is known as Partial Emblematic Slip".

In nonverbal parlance, the adjective Emblematic is used because this is an example of an emblem (the backside of an isolated middle finger) - a gesture which has a Universally understood meaning around the World. They're termed Partial because the gestures are not expressed in a blatant, full-fledged form. And these are called Slips because they're initiated subconsciously.

There are many types of Partial Emblematic Slips - and although, in this particular example, the President did not display his middle finger - he does show us another classic cousin.

Beginning at 0:10, the President continues saying, "...  So your vote in - 2018 is every bit as important as your vote - in - 2016. Although I'm not sure I really believe that but ya know ∆ , Ω ... I don't know who the hell wrote that line - I'm not s- ... But it's still important - remember."

During 0:22, just after he says, "... Although I'm not sure I really believe that but ya know ...", Donald Trump turns to his left and sniffs deeply (notated by the Ω symbol above). But look carefully - and in slow motion. What this behavior really is, is another Partial Emblematic Slip. This is a Deep Disgust Display Disguised as Sniffing. It's a ruse hiding in plain sight.

Now go back one second - to 0:21. He first displays a less dramatic - but open example of disgust (notated in the dialog above by the ∆ symbol). His extended blink, although not required - amplifies his disgust. As with a lot of human behavior - first we see a hint, a preamble of things to come - then, after a brief suppression, the act becomes more fully expressed. This is a quintessential demonstration of that phenomenon.


SUMMARY:  President Trump sniffs a lot - a whole lot. But not all sniffs are created equal. Granted, from time-to-time we all suffer from upper respiratory tract infections - and on occasion a bit of allergies. Then there's post-nasal drip. Sometimes excessive sniffing is a manifestation of nervousness. And of course, there are other possible etiologies. But certainly some of this Presidential sniffing is simply his subconscious camouflaging his disgust - and this is a textbook example.

Group Appearances and One-on-One

Online Courses Available 

702-239-8503

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4290: President Trump regarding talks with North Korea

Body Language Analysis No. 4288: Is Michael Cohen going to Flip on President Trump?

Body Language Analysis No. 4286: Aaron Schlossberg's Racist Rant

Body Language Analysis No. 4284: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Deadpool 2, and Alpha Up-Regulation

Body Language Analysis No. 4257: Mark Zuckerberg Testifies Before The Senate

Body Language Analysis No. 4208: Rod Rosenstein and the Indictment of Russians

Body Language Analysis No. 4073: Prince Harry and Melania Trump Meet in Canada for Invictus Games - Harry's Hand Signal

Body Language Analysis No. 3983: Female Kurdish sniper fighting IS narrowly cheats death

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3885: Vogue's 73 Questions with Selena Gomez

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3707: The Presidential Debates Part III - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton and Sniffing - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Much has been made of Donald Trump's sniffing during the Presidential Debate with Hillary Clinton. Of course a person can sniff due to allergies or an upper respiratory tract infection - and certainly there are other medical causes for this behavior.

If we can reasonably rule out medical reasons for sniffing (and Mr. Trump has gone on record denying these causes since the debate), from a nonverbal communication perspective, when a person sniffs excessively the most  common cause is:

1. Anxiety

In addition, when the sniffing is clustered with other specific nonverbal signals, it can also be associated with:

2. Deception/Exaggeration (deliberate exaggeration in the context of a debate is a deception)

3. Contempt

It's important to point out that anxiety, deception and contempt - all have other nonverbal manifestations - and of course a person can have these emotions without sniffing.

During the first Presidential Debate, Donald Trump was certainly exhibiting other signals of anxiety (hard swallowing, excessive drinking of water, excessive holding on to lectern, fear expressions, tight tongue jutting, etc.) but some of his sniffing displays were also associated with deception (and correlated with independent fact checkers) as well as contempt.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3706: Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump Presidential Debates - Part II 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3705: Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump Presidential Debate - Trump: I'm 'smart' for paying no taxes 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3696: Jimmy Kimmel's 2016 Emmys Opening Monologue - Sarah Paulson brought Marcia Clark 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3683: Brock Turner Released from Prison after 3 Months

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3644: Eric Trump, Humayun Khan, Sexual Harassment and Patronizing Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3615: Store Owner Abdullah Muflahi Interview regarding the Shooting of Alton Sterling

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3563: Ariana Grande, Lip Stick, Microexpressions and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3686: Donald Trump regarding his National Security Briefings - Body Language & Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

During the Commander in Chief Forum yesterday, Donald Trump referenced what he claimed were negative reactions toward President Obama and other national leaders on the part of those individuals who have given him national security briefings. Mr. Trump claimed he used his own body language skills to discern their alleged discontent.

Let us now evaluate Mr. Trump's body language regarding this allegation.

MATT LAUER (beginning at 10:43): Did you learn anything in that briefing — again, not going into specifics — that makes you reconsider some of the things you say you can accomplish, like defeating ISIS quickly?

DONALD TRUMP: No, I didn’t learn anything from that standpoint. What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our [glances up to his right] experts and our truly — when they call it intelligence, it’s there for a reason — what our experts said to do.

MATT LAUER: Hallie?

DONALD TRUMP: And I was very, very surprised. In almost every instance. And I could tell you. I have pretty good with the body language. I could tell [deep sniff/inhalation] they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what they were recommending.

To the astute observer, Trump's statement of "... I have pretty good with the body language ..." should send up red flags. The mid-sentence stumble here isn't just very awkward, it's a signal of deception.

Notice also the lack of contractions such as "I've" or "I'm" - or in the next sentence, "were not" is used rather than "weren't" - or two sentences later, "did not" is used instead of "didn't". With spoke language, the lack of contraction usage, where contractions are possible, correlates with deception.

In the midst of this language-paralanguage behavior cluster we see another beautiful nonverbal signal of a lie. When Mr. Trump says, "... I could tell ..." he makes a deep inhalation with a sniff (during 11:14), and finishes his sentence with, "... they were not happy ...".

In this cluster-context, strategically placed as it is, this sniff-inhalation is a nose rub analog and is highly correlative with deception.

A few sentences earlier, Mr. Trump said, "What I did learn is that our leadership, Barack Obama, did not follow what our experts and our truly — when they call it intelligence, it’s there for a reason — what our experts said to do." As Trump said, "... our ..." he looked up to his right. This is the quadrant to which the vast majority right handed people will glance when visually constructing an event in their mind's eye. If Mr. Trump had truly witnessed - and thus was visually recalling a memory as he claimed (rather than constructing a false one) - he would have looked up to his left. This moment is captured below (during 11:01).

Summary: Mr. Trump's claim of his own body language assessment of National Security Experts being dissatisfied and "not happy" with President Obama, is here refuted by Trump's own deceptive body language. Donald Trump was lying.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3685: Hillary Clinton at Commander-in-Chief Forum

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3683: Brock Turner Released from Prison after 3 Months

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3681: Hillary Clinton's Low Transparency

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3670: Paul LePage's Voicemail Rant

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3647: Yusra Mardini, Refugees, Syrian Swimmer, and Sincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3414: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3622: Theresa May's First Speech as Prime Minister

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3601: Casey Neistat & Candice Pool - Water Spit Challenge


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