Body Language and Behavior Analysis No. 4740: Donald Trump's Puffer Fish Face – Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

 

The above image of Donald Trump was taken as he was heading back into the courtroom yesterday after a break during his felony election interference trial.

Here's another slightly different image taken a second or two later:

 

 

Of course, everyone knows that Donald Trump is stressed. That's certainly no secret. But here's the Rub: to note similar times when someone who you like and trust – exhibits similar nonverbal behavior (i.e., in everyday scenarios).

As with all human beings, we constantly fall victim to our confirmation bias. Would most people be able to accurately interpret this behavior if instead the person exhibiting it was someone we felt relatively neutral toward – or even someone for whom we cared deeply?

Would we be then able to spot a lie? The insincerity? Manipulation? The Answer: Most of the time an otherwise socially adept person would not be able to see these behaviors in these alternative scenarios. Body Language skills are irreplaceable tools of objectivity.

Trump's expression displayed here is known as the "Puffer Fish". As with the vast, vast majority of body language, it's initiated and occurs subconsciously. It's almost exclusively seen just immediately prior to or immediately following a stressful event. 

I've seen quintessential examples of this behavior in athletes just prior to their games/events, in students just before big exams, in surgeons before/after difficult surgeries, etc. ...and, as we see exampled here – in criminal defendants. 

Despite what a person may say, if you see the Puffer Fish expression — you can be sure that the person is beginning or finishing (what is for them) a particularly stressful event.

If the display of stress seems out of proportion with the context, this body language should raise a big red flag in your mind that there's more going on. Dig deeper.

 

The Puffer Fish nonverbal display occurs during an extended exhalation. It's an outward manifestation of the psyche's attempt to bring about a calming effect – more specifically, a decrease in respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.

SUMMARY: The Puffer Fish Expression is Body Language dynamic display indicating the attempt of the  subconscious at lowering both our physiological and psychological stress.

Inquiries regarding teaching (one-on-one or groups), keynotes, consulting, and press: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com     

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3180: Tom Brady, Deflategate and an Under-appreciated Body Language Sign of Anxiety (PHOTOS)

Ah, the return of deflategate ... Thank you Ted Wells (of the Wells Report) and Tom Brady for yet another body language teaching moment .... It has been leaked that Roger Goodell will indeed suspend Tom Brady - the only issue now is for how long.

A rarely discussed but highly reliable nonverbal signal is the biting of the inside of one's cheeks - or alternatively, a truncated version of this phenomenon created by a relative and temporary vacuum inside the mouth resulting in the sucking-in of the cheeks. In Super Bowl XLIX, the New England Patriots quarterback was captured in this highly characteristic nonverbal facial display. These body language configurations are strongly correlative with anxiety and a desire to suppress both the outward expression and inward crescendo of nervousness.

Tom Brady did indeed cheat and his nonverbal behavior told us all along.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3078: Tom Brady, Deflategate, Deception and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3079: Tom Brady, Deflategate - Part Deux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3080: Bill Belichick's Press Conference - A Key Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3081: More Bill Belichick Body Language Deception Deflategate Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2518: Bashar al-Assad Shows Body Language Tell of Extreme Stress Charlie Rose Interview, Part III (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This is the third nonverbal evaluation of Bashar al-Assad highlighting his recent interview in Damascus by Charlie Rose. On the very next day the serendipitous/accidental/off-hand remark by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was reflected back as a serious idea by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last night President Obama asked the U.S. Congress to back-burner an approval vote on military action against the Syrian government's forces so as to diminish their ability to deploy chemical weapons (a vote that was increasing looking that he would lose). It has certainly been a whirlwind the last few days.

The following is a transcript of the above video - a short section of the interview. Afterwards yet another particularly telling nonverbal signal is discussed.

CHARLIE ROSE: "The President is prepared to strike, ah, and perhaps we'll get the authorization of Congress or not. Ah, the question then is - would you give up chemical weapons if it would prevent the president from authorizing a strike?"

BASHAR AL-ASSAD: "Ah ..."

CHARLIE ROSE: "If that is a deal you would accept?"

BASHAR AL-ASSAD:  "Again, you always imply that we have chemical weapons. [Laughs]"

CHARLIE ROSE: "I have to because that's the assumption of the President."

BASHAR AL-ASSAD: "Yeah"

CHARLIE ROSE: "That is his assumption and he's the one who will order the strike."

BASHAR AL-ASSAD:  "It's his problem if-- if he has an assumption. But for us, in Syria, we have principles. We'll do anything to prevent the region from another crazy war. It's not only Syria. Because it will start in Syria ..."

CHARLIE ROSE: "You'll do anything to prevent the region from ... "

BASHAR AL-ASSAD: "The region."

CHARLIE ROSE:  "... having another crazy war?"

BASHAR AL-ASSAD: "Yes."

CHARLIE ROSE: "You recognize the consequences for you if there is a strike?"

BASHAR AL-ASSAD: "It's not about me. It's about the region."

 At 0:27 just after Rose says, "That is his assumption and he's the one who will order the strike" - al-Assad's intertwined fingers straighten (We do not see how long this lasts because the camera view changes). This body language sign is a particularly strong signal of anxiety. Notice also how he stutters, "It's his problem if-- if he has an assumption ..." - a common paralanguage manifestation of anxiety.


Many have said that al-Assad was calm during the interview. While he was more polished than he has been compared with some of his other public appearances - and while his words to some may have seemed composed - the Syrian dictator demonstrated multiple anxiety tells. This was but one. He strongly fears the wrong end of a cruise missile. This legit fear has moved him to a different course of action in the ensuing days.

When the verbal and the nonverbal signals are not congruent - it is the nonverbal that always 'speaks' the truth. How many times have you been deceived because you believed someone's words and missed their body language signals?

What other nonverbals did you spot in this video?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2517:  Bashar al-Assad Fears Over-Throw if U.S. Attacks, Body Language Tell During Charlie Rose Interview, Part II

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2516:  Bashar al-Assad's Interview with Charlie Rose, Body Language Tells, Part I

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 387:  John Kerry's Extended and Intertwined Fingers

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2408:  Sen. Kelly Ayotte's Anxiety & Regret via Senators Graham & McCain - Republican Body Language in Response to President Obama's National Defense University Speech

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2281:  Inaugural Luncheon Anxiety  Barack Obama's Body Language  Michelle's Mirroring 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2450:  Daniel Radcliffe on The Graham Norton Show -  Deception, Mirroring and Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2493:  Jewel in Disguise at Karaoke Bar, Body Language Cues to Lack of Nervousness

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Nonverbal Communication Secret # 2091: Sincere Smiling (a' la Blake Lively) and Laughing - Reduces Anxiety and Heart Rate, Boosts Immune System and Relieves Pain

The results of this study are no surprise to those who study body language. People who adopt a smile, particularly a true smile consistent with joy (Duchenne Smile), have lower heart rates and lower anxiety levels - both during and after the stressor. The multiple images of the people shown during the 0:36 - 0:46 segment are genuine, sincere smiles characterized by the cardinal nonverbal signs of partial eyelid closure, a concave up dynamic furrow on the lower eyelids, only the upper teeth visible and a relaxed forehead.

The same study showed that laughter has the added effect of boosting the immune system and relieving pain. Although this particular study was new, these and other similar benefits of adopting positive body language have been well described for decades.

Few people can call up a sincere smile on command (how good are you?) - but it's value is tremendous. For while everyone knows those who are joyful smile, this and other studies show us that the reverse is true - a sincere smile can alter our physiology and lead to true happiness.

See also:

Secret # 702: Mouth of Fear, Trying to Smile and Forehead of Pain

Secret # 133: Surprise or Smile or Neither?

Analysis # 2: Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2203: A Body Language Metric of Intimacy and Affection -  How Do YOU cuddle?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1548: Trayvon Martin's Death - George Zimmerman and his First Court Appearance

George Zimmerman appeared in a Florida courtroom yesterday. He is being charged with second degree murder in the death of 17 year old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman claims he acted in self-defense in what will be the most visible case to date of a "Stand Your Ground" Law in the U.S.

As Paul Ekman so very astutely has pointed out - when attempting to judge someone's guilt or innocence, we must (among many other things) be very aware of what he calls the "Othello Error". This mistake may occur when those who are the "lie detectors" or "deceit prosecutors" - don't take into account that a person who is telling the truth is also experiencing anxiety - and thus because of this stress appear as if he/she is lying.

In Shakespeare's famous play, Othello evokes this type of fear in his innocent wife, Desdemona - when she learns that the only person (Cassio) who can prove her innocence is now dead (Othello had him killed). Othello saw the fear and anxiety on Desdemona's face and interpreted this as being caused by her emotions over losing her alleged lover. Othello failed to consider that the stress he saw - although very real - was the result of anxiety Desdemona was experiencing over losing her only witness. She feels trapped! His observations were accurate - but his conclusions are false!

I was not there (neither were you) so we cannot claim to know whether Mr. Zimmerman is guilty or innocent. 

Zimmerman shows us a relatively stoic face. His rate of blinking is substantially increased in frequency. Comparing his blinking to that of the officer on Zimmerman's right, we can easily see that the frequency is substantially increased. It is very important to consider what his normal blink rate is however (i.e., What is his baseline?). If we saw him before and after his court appearance - and he blinked substantially less, then we would be much more confident that this change was indicative of increased stress-anxiety. It is also important to ensure Mr. Zimmerman does not suffer from an ophthalmic condition which causes him to blink so often. As pointed out above though, this level of stress is not surprising, regardless of any guilt or innocence.

The duration of some of Mr. Zimmerman's blinks are also increased. Provided that there is no medical or habitual etiology here, this is consistent with psychological "blocking" - wanting to make everything disappear. George Zimmerman's intellect knows he's in court, but his emotional brain is still processing this. It's coming to terms with this reality. This is very normal behavior for anyone in this context.

Zimmerman's eyes are opened wider than those in a normal resting state. It is particularly apparent when he first walks into the courtroom. In this context, this "white and wide" appearance is indicative of fear and associated increased sympathetic nervous system activity and elevated adrenaline (epinephrine). Again, both the guilty and the innocent would have fear in such a setting.

Mr. Zimmerman's elevated anxiety increases both the rate and depth of his breathing. Several (but not a lot) deep swallows are also noted. These are also normal physiologic changes in this context.

At the 1:05 - 1:06 time-mark, Mr. Zimmerman's temporalis muscle on the sides of his head tighten (contract). This is visibly centered in front of and slightly above the ears (only his left side is visible). It occurs because he clenches his jaw. With this one exception, George Zimmerman's mouth/lips/tongue/jaw demonstrate very little activity and remain relatively neutral during this video. This calm is unusual and tends to suggest that Mr. Zimmerman has a higher degree of confidence that he will be found innocent.

In summary, from a body language point-of-view, George Zimmerman's first court appearance demonstrated a mildly increased level of anxiety which - either guilty or innocent is very expected in such a scenario. Indeed, most people would display more stress than Zimmerman is in this setting.

See also:

Analysis # 1491: Barack Obama on Trayvon Martin"If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon" 

Analysis # 1590: President Obama's Blink Rate ... and His Anxiety

Secret # 1149: Who was more nervous in Last Night's Debate? Santorum, Romney, 
               Gingrich or Paul?

Secret # 491: Eyes White and Wide

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 387: Extended and Interwoven Fingers

This is United States Senator and former Presidential Candidate, John Kerry, D-MA. He is pictured here during a recent meeting of the "Super Committee" (The United States Congress Joint Selection Committee on Deficit Reduction). He is one of its twelve members.

The tension in his mid-face, the thinning of the lips, the clenching of Kerry's jaw and the lowering of his eye brows are all consistent with anger.  I want to draw your attention to his hands however. Notice his fingers are intertwined and extended. This is a great nonverbal tell of stress. When the fingers are extended and interwoven in this fashion - there is a significant component of anxiety present (Navarro). In an interview or meeting setting, it is very likely that the question which was just asked or the issue which was just raised - evoked this anxiety. You would be well advised to slow down the conversation, dig deeper and use the Socratic method to get to the root of this great body language tell.

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Body Language Secret # 53: Charlie Rangel & The Puffer Fish

Here Charlie Rangel is shown at a press briefing after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to censure him. His expression displayed here is the "Puffer Fish". It's seen almost exclusively seen just before or more commonly  following a stressful event. I've seen great examples of this in surgeons after difficult surgeries, in athletes just  prior to their games/events, in students just before big exams and in attorneys before trial. Always remember, a person's words will often be incongruent with their body language. It is much more reliable to trust the nonverbal message over the spoken word.

If you see the Puffer Fish - you can be sure that a major stressful event is immediately anticipated (of which the outcome and expectation is generally known) or just has taken place. If the display of stress seems out of place with the event, this should raise a big red flag in your mind.

The Puffer Fish nonverbal is associated with a decreased in respiration, heart rate and blood pressure and it occurs during exhalation (although it may occur over several cycles of respiration). The Puffer Fish's purpose is to have a calming effect.

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