Body Language Analysis No. 4716: Donald Trump's Fulton County Mugshot — Nonverbal and EmotionalIntelligence

 

Donald Trump’s mugshot was just released from the authorities in the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office where he was arrested, arraigned, and booked today.

His facial expression is an amalgam of the following thought-emotions:

• Contempt
• Anger
• Predation

The former president also appears to have an inflammatory process involving the margins of his eyelids and some of the adjoining tissue — a form of blepharoconjunctivitis, most likely a mild infection.

To some people, this inflammation (specifically, the notable redness) could make it appear as if Trump had perhaps been crying or was sad — but this is not the case.

It should be noted that the appearance of Trump’s predation is potentiated by the downward looking camera — making Trump seem as if his eyebrows are more prominent and/or that his head is configured in a greater degree of downward tilt.

The asymmetric light source (directed from Trump’s left side) also amplifies the appearance of Trump’s contempt.

Thus, although Trump is absolutely thinking-feeling-projecting both Contempt and Predation — the photographic technique exaggerates the appearance of these particular thought-emotions.

SUMMARY: Donald Trump’s mugshot today indicates the thought-emotions of:

• Contempt
• Anger
• Predation

All individuals, businesses, and organizations who want to (need to) dramatically improve their Body Language skills and nuance their understanding of Emotional Intelligence, please email me at: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

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This post and others accompanying it, serve as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. 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.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2928: Oscar Pistorius, Hugging, Affection and Sincerity (PHOTO)

This image of Oscar Pistorius was taken several weeks ago during his trial of which he is accused of murdering his then girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp (vs. accidentally killing her believing she was an intruder).

In this photo Mr. Pistorius is hugging a supporter. The identity of the woman is unknown (It may very well be that she is a member of the general public or an acquaintance) and we do not have this in a video format to put this moment in a greater context - yet there is a huge nonverbal lesson here.

Human-to-human contact is a relatively rare event - accounting for a very small percentage of any given day (even among family members).  Whenever a hug is given, it should generally be given with two hands - unless a deliberate emotional distance is being sought or maintained. Thus a large majority of the time, when a higher level of affection is being projected or desired - a hug should be more fully expressed. Put down your phone, your car keys, your brief case, your purse, etc. - and be entirely present in the moment. This is particularly true when the other person is family, a lover or a good friend - but again, if a hug is being initiated - most of the time it should be done so sincerely and with some level of affection. If it is given sincerely and not returned similarly (or a vice versa) - this interpersonal information is very valuable and should be known.

The act of hugging well is a huge rapport builder. Don't pass up the opportunity to build rapport and affection in those who want or deserve it.

If the other person is not an individual with whom you have affection or feel socially obligated to hug - a one-armed hug is advisable and acceptable - however do so from a standpoint of full social-situational awareness - rather from one of naïveté, lack of mindfulness or poor body language knowledge/skill. There are of course numerous other nonverbal parameters of hugs which will either up-regulate or down-regulate the affection and intimacy level of the hug, kiss or other encounter (how many you can list?).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2927: Barack Obama regarding ISIS/ISIL - Atypical for the President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2785: Oscar Pistorius - Another Day of Testimony - Low Confidence Body Language Display

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2809: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Kim Myers

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2788: Oscar Pistorius Trial - Frustration & Anger

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2750: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Lies

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2919: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - Friends? - will they Hug it Out?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2785: Oscar Pistorius - Another Day of Testimony - Low Confidence Body Language Display (PHOTOS)

Oscar Pistorius had another day of testimony today in his trial for the alleged premeditated killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Of course, this is a very emotionally difficult task to perform - ergo the body language we see him displaying in this image. As he is arriving at the courthouse, both of his entire hands (including full palmar contact) are splaying against his lower abdomen and hips. When seen in the manner that Mr. Pistorius is configured here, this is highly significant for a beta emotional tone. Note his hands are not in his pockets - however if they had been - there are variations of both high confidence (e.g. Thumbs hooked in pockets with fingers out) as well as other lower confidence displays (e.g. whole hands in pockets).

As with all nonverbal communication, a beta body language signal such as this should never be interpreted in isolation. This hand position of lower emotional comfort is very often seen simultaneous with a deep inhalation (difficult to assess this in this single image) as well as a myriad of other signs. What others do you see here?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2744: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2780: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva SteenKamp and Prosecutor Gerrie Nel - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2750: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Lies - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2751: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp, Gina Meyers and Body Language

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2310:  Oscar Pistorius' Body Language in Court - Part II  Central Forehead Contraction, Frown & Pupil Dilation ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2784: Fight Breaks Out in Ukrainian Parliament - One Body Language which Predicts Throwing Fists

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2751: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp, Gina Meyers and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Oscar Pistorius's trial in the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp is continuing in Pretoria, South Africa. The double amputee Olympic athlete is seen in this image in the foreground, out of focus.

In the background on the extreme left of the photo is a friend of Steenkamp's - Gina Meyers. She is seen displaying one variety of a "Critical Evaluation Cluster". Here we see the thumb of her right hand supporting the left aspect of her mandible (jaw) while her pinky finger rests on her philtrum and covers her central mouth/lips. The remainder of her fingers are on the right side of her face/cheek. This specific body language MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) is termed the "Double-L" and is a nonverbal cluster highly indicative of Critical Evaluation.

Meyers's does not believe what she's hearing.

Although details are somewhat difficult to visualize in this lower resolution close-up of this same moment, Gina Meyers's right eyebrow can be seen to be elevated compared to her left side. As expected, her right forehead can also be seen in a contracted state (with evanescent furrows). This unilateral raised eyebrow is a specific facial expression telling us she is disbelief with what she is hearing and/or seeing.





See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2750: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Lies - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1926:  Mexico's President-Elect Enrique Peña Nieto  Critical Evaluation Body Language Cluster

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1720:  Critical Evaluation, Disbelief & a Partial Emblematic Slip  Valérie Trierweiler & Francois Hollande

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2461:  Prosecutor John Guy's response to  Defense Attorney Don West's Knock-Knock Joke  Body Language at George Zimmerman's Trial

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 1019:  David Cameron's Critical Cluster






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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2531: Bo Xilai's Body Language - Hand and Facial Tension Correlation (PHOTOS)

Bo Xilai was found guilty on all counts earlier today and received a life sentence for bribery, fifteen years for embezzlement and seven years for abuse of power. His father, Bo Yibo, was a revolutionary alongside Chairman Mao Zedong as well as a leader under Deng Xiaoping. Bo Xilai had become a highly productive and respected party chief of Chongqing and until recently he was considered a rising star in China's top political circles.

In these images Bo Xilai can be seen during his trial. Note the tension evident on his face.

A particular detail which should never be overlooked or dismissed is the contraction of the central forehead (CFC) muscles (with the peripheral or sides of the forehead being relaxed). This is virtually always accompanied by an elevation of the inner (medial) eyebrows. Although the resolution is somewhat low here, this can still be readily seen in this close-up image. The CFC is seen when there is emotional or physical pain - either being experienced directly for oneself or for another person(s) or animal via empathy. Whenever this is the case however, there should always be a co-existing expression on the mouth congruent with sadness, pain or fear. No hint of a smile should ever be seen in this emotional context.

Mid-facial tension is seen in this image. One example of this is a mild fear expression component displayed on Bo Xilai's mouth along with significant tension of his "mustache area" above his upper lid and below his nose.

In this second image, Bo Xilai can be seen holding his eyeglasses in his left hand and a pen in right hand. While his hands are not in tight fists, they are manifesting moderate tension here. The act of holding relatively small objects such as these will often "give the hands something to do" and keep them less tense. Otherwise they would be displaying even greater stress which has a feed-back affect creating increased negative emotion and accompanying display on the face. Relaxed hands beget a relaxed face while low-tension in the face leads to a similar effect of the hands. The behavior of these two body parts closely mirror and influence each other nonverbally.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2291:  A Tight Fist and Tension in The Face -  Jay Carney's Body Language as he defends  Chuck Hagel's performance during  Senate Confirmation Hearings

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2337:  Rick Santorum at 2013 CPAC  Body Language,Facial Tension & Hand Tension

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1888:  Rod Stewart & Ron Wood -  How the Hand and Face Collaborate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2132:  Variations on a Theme -  The Palm-Forward Dominant Spider (The Claw) vs.  The Split-Finger Fastball

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1918:  Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates -  Sharp vs. Blunt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2161:  Body Language of the Third Presidential Debate -  Barack Obama and Mitt Romney -  What Did They Do With Their Hands  When They Weren't Talking?

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2343: Jodi Arias, the Courtroom and the Body Language of Mirroring

Nonverbal mirroring behavior is performed primarily subconsciously when we're mentally and/or emotionally "in synch" with another. Couples who are in love mirror each other and business partners will also mirror when things are going well. It is a natural nonverbal outcome between those who have rapport. However the act of deliberately mirroring another person's body language, as long as it's not performed too exactly, too often or too closely in time - will also engender rapport and feelings of empathy. This requires significant nuance though - for if the other person catches on - then mirroring will back fire.

If Jodi Arias respects, likes or is of similar mindset with her attorney (Jennifer Willmott) - she would naturally mirror the lawyer. As some in this video point out, this body language behavior may indeed be a deliberate conscious act designed to add trust, authority and respect - in the eyes of the jury. Certainly the two women's clothes and hair style were chosen with such a strategy in mind.

Jodi Arias may indeed have serious psychological problems and she may also have murdered her former Travis Alexander in a premeditated fashion. However within the context of this video, Dr. Drew Pinksky is wrong regarding the merits of mirroring. He is being melodramatic for the purposes of ratings. The highly edited nature of this clip also gives us a false sense of how often mirroring occurs. Whether you believe Ms. Arias should be found guilty or be acquitted in the premeditated murder of her former boyfriend, Travis Alexander - in this particular context of legal defense, such body language mirroring as well as mirroring of clothing and hair style are very good tactics.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2323: Jodi Arias Murder Trial - The Body Language of Self-Contempt-Regret

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2336: Jodi Arias "Secret Video" Jury Will Not See -  Extremely Out of Context Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2196:  Cross Species Body Language  Contagious Yawning of Dogs Mirroring Humans  An Indicator of What Dog Lovers Already Knew -  Canine Empathy

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 801:  Julia Gillard, Barack Obama & Mirroring Down Under

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2161: Body Language of the Third Presidential Debate -  Barack Obama and Mitt Romney - What Did They Do With Their Hands  When They Weren't Talking?

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Tip # 1239:  Benjamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama and Iran 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2199: Thailand, Body Language, Barack Obama and Yingluck Shinawatra -  Mirroring and Foot Point

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1522: False Mastication in Court Alicia DeBolt and Adam Longoria

This is Adam Longoria. Today he was found guilty of capital murder of 14 year-old Alicia DeBolt. Notice the right side of Longoria's mouth. He's showing us a subtle example of what is known as "False Mastication" or "False chewing". Most all of us occasionally display this nonverbal when we're nervous - a gentle chewing of the inside of the cheek with the teeth. This is just one of many self-soothing gestures that are classified under the general category of  "manipulators" or "adaptors" or "pacifiers" (MAPs). MAPs will be significantly manifested during times of stress and anxiety.  

It is very interesting to note that in the context of conversation, should someone display false mastication, it significantly increases the odds that this secondary to deception-related anxiety. Since Longoria is not speaking, his anxiety is most probably secondary to what is being said by an attorney.

Should you notice this during a negotiation or business venture, be very wary of what was just spoken - for it is evidence of anxiety, and perhaps deception.

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