Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3076: 2015 State of the Union Address, Barack Obama, John Boehner and a Microexpression of .... (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Perhaps the most memorable (verbal) line in the 2015 State of the Union address was improvisational - as Barack Obama met with some possibly unanticipated republican applause:

"I have no more campaigns to run. My only agenda [republicans clapping] - I know because I won both of 'em ..."

This first sentence drew a very specific nonverbal tell from Speaker of the House, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH). As the President began to say the word "only" and an instant later as it became more fully manifested during the word "agenda" (during 1:06:47) - the right side of Speaker Boehner's face (on our left) displayed a very brief nonverbal signal indicative of contempt (a near-microexpression). While this particular expression is not the only manner in which the body language of contempt is projected on the face, it is the most commonly sighted one. Characterized by what in a nutshell is often called a unilateral "snarl" - this classic contempt sign has a tightening of the mid-face, a unilaterally upward-vectoring of one side of the mouth, a evanescent deepening and definition of the same side nasal-labial fold (running from each side of the mid-nose down to below and laterally to each mouth corner), a nostril flaring on the same side, and often a unilateral partial closing of the eyelids (Which acts as a contempt amplifier in this setting).

There can be no doubt that in this moment Speaker Boehner was feeling contempt for President Obama.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3075: Franklin Graham (Billy Graham's son) Blasts Duke University for Muslim "Call to Prayer"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2865: John Boehner is Suing Barack Obama - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3068: John Boehner Kissing Nancy Pelosi

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3061: Jimmy Fallon Blew a Chance to Date Nicole Kidman  

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2680: Chris Christie's State of the State Address - Body Language Swagger and Sincerity (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Chris Christie gave New Jersey's State of the State Address today. This year's Address was a particularly difficult one for him. The Governor's stressor of the recent scandal surrounding the George Washington Bridge lane closures has been compounded by allegations of abuse of funds intended for Hurricane Sandy relief. A commercial which featured the Governor and his family costing $ 4.7 million was opted for rather than a version for $ 2.5 million which did not feature the New Jersey first family. This commercial was intended to drive up tourism for the Jersey Shore. Many feel that this was essentially free campaigning for Christie in the months leading up to his re-election.

The video above features the first 2:42 of the Governor's 2014 State of the State address from earlier today. At several times (two of them captured in still images below) he displays a characteristic quick, head tilt-head turn - which conveys a significant alpha quality. This quick snap of the head and neck can be thought of as a form of body language swagger or machismo, even when displayed by women. It conveys strength, a high confidence level and determined mindset. Note that Christie displays this nonverbal signal in the context of defending himself amid attacks from his political foes. Although the head snap does not in isolation convey sincerity, in this cluster context it does. Governor Christie believes strongly he is in the right.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2674: Did Chris Christie Orchestrate Bridge Closure or Cover Up His Subordinates Actions? Body Language Tells Us ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2673: New Jersey Bridge Closing - Fort Lee, NJ Mayor Mark Sokolich - What His Body Language Says about His Feelings towards Governor Chris Christie

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2468:  Princess Kate, Prince William & a New Baby Boy -  Body Language, Rapport & Saving Face

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2548: Confused, Quizzical and Disbelieving Body Language from Eric Cantor's Colleagues

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2676: Nancy Pelosi, Chris Christie, Bling and a Handkerchief

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2538: Governor Chris Christie's Body Language Tells regarding Shutting Down the Government and Telling us He’s Running for President in 2016 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2679: Tina Fey & Amy Poehler - Body Language of Suppressed Smiles, The 2014 Golden Globe Awards and Variation on a Theme

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