Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3223: Jordan Spieth, the U.S. Open, Annie Verret, Kissing and Body Language (PHOTOS)

The image above shows Jordan Spieth kissing his girlfriend, Annie Verret - after winning the Masters earlier this year. Ms. Verret was noticeably absent from Spieth's victory at the U.S. Open today. Spieth is the first to win the first two of the year's majors since Tiger Woods in did so 2002. And Jordan Spieth won't even turn 22 until next month.

From a body language perspective, it's notable that the World's number one ranked golfer has his eyelids closed in both images. As human beings, we close our eyes during a kiss when true affection is present. Forty percent of the mass of our brain is dedicated to the visual system. In addition, ninety percent of the sensory input is visual. The other four senses must "share" the left-over ten percent. Most every child will tell you that people who are blind will acquire a greater tactile sense. This is absolutely true of course - however few are aware that this phenomenon will also happen immediately with those who have excellent (or any) vision - though to a lesser extent.

When we close our eyes, the blood flow and electrical activity of the visual portions of our brains' diminishes slightly (and immediately). This mild decrease allows greater resources to be redistributed and divided-up between the other four senses - as well as our brains' cognitive and emotional centers. Thus we close our eyes during a sincere kiss because we want to feel it more - we want to drink-in every ounce of emotion. We want to live more deeply. Spieth is shown here kissing two things for which he truly feels deep affection - Annie Verret and the U.S. Open Trophy. The trophy is a surrogate for the accomplishment as well as representing the moment of victory. Like a sommelier tasting fine wine or a lover - he is drinking-in the moment to its fullest.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3222: First Look Promo: Nick's Escape: Fear the Walking Dead: Series Premiere

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3221: Gov. Nikki Haley Choking Back Tears - is She Sincere? Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1855: Sincere Kisses & Closed Eyes

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. 2701: Cuddling, Romance, Affection and Foot-Shunning

Romance, Marriage and Dating - Body Language Secret No. 609:  Going from High Heels to Flats and then back to Heels

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2221: How NOT to Pose if You Want to Project Confidence -Heisman Body Language

While this is possibly an example of Nonverbal Mirroring, Johnny Manziel, Manti Te'o and Collin Klein were almost surely told to deliberately stand in this pose. Whether mirrored or deliberate, hands clasped over the lower abdominal region (known as the "fig leaf" or "genital guarding") is, in most settings a signal of low confidence. It can also signal reverence or respect - such as in a religious ceremony or in the presence of a dignitary, etc. And while these men have great respect for the Heisman Award and their nominations, this is a body language position which sends message of non-engagement, low confidence, demure and beta behavior. In this setting, they would have been much better advised to stand with their hands loosely clasped behind their backs (with feet a shoulder's width apart) - which projects the alpha emotions of confidence, assertiveness and strength. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1563: Geithner and Holder  In Deference to the President - One Occasion to Use the Fig Leaf

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 441:  Bill Clinton's Rapport and His Temporary Universe

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1770: White House Correspondents' Dinner - Lindsay Lohan's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1873: Hillary Clinton & Kofi Annan on Syria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2155: Body Language Tells at the Second Presidential Debate  Mitt Romney at Attention &  President Obama's Disapproval-Subtle Contempt

Leadership Secret # 99:  One Body Language configuration a leader should (almost) never adopt - Steven Harper

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1865:  Five Presidents Standing in the Oval Office - Who has the Lowest Confidence?  Who is the Least Emotionally Comfortable? 

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