Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3014: Vladimir Putin - Odd Man Out Down Under at the G20 Summit (PHOTOS)

This image (and close-up below) shows Vladimir Putin arriving for the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia two days ago. He did not receive the same level of dignitary-greeting at the airport compared with the other heads-of-state. It may have something to do with the other World Leaders giving him flack for Russia's participation in the fighting in eastern Ukraine ... or the Annexation of the Crimea before that .... or the downing of Malaysia Airlines MH17 ... or his stationing of Russian Warships off the Australian Coast ... or the numerous near-misses recently involving Russian military aircraft in various countries' airspace.

The Russian President's primary emotion is that of anger - albeit suppressed. His mid-face is tightened as partially evidenced by his nostril flaring and tension in his "mustache area". There is also considerable tightening and stretching of his lips. Vladimir's jaw is clenched as well which results in the bunching up of tissue beneath his lower lip - a "Peri-Lip Bulge". Putin's eyelids are partially closed with considerable tension of his lower lids. This clustering of nonverbal signals is indicative of suppressed anger.

What's uncommon about this expression is the anger suppression is accompanied by a Central Forehead Contraction (CFC). In this nonverbal cluster-context a CFC indicates a "Seeking of Validation".  Vladimir's angry - yes, yet being simultaneously out of his element and because he's the odd man out - he's is seeking approval. This is a very common behavior and expression for alpha personalities who are out of their comfort zone and trying to look important and composed.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3012: Tony Abbott No Shirtfronts Vladimir Putin at APEC - (yet he buttons-up) - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2843: Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin in Normandy - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2937: Vladimir Putin - “If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks” and Critical Evaluation

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3010: McStay Family Murders - Body Language Signs of a Sociopath 

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2869: Barack Obama's Executive Action on Immigration Reform, The Rose Garden 30 June 2014 - Sincere or Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1858:  What the Eyes Do - Transitioning from Mild to Severe Anger

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2843: Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin in Normandy - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

During their recent visit to Normandy to honor the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion, much was made about the tension between Vladimir Putin and other heads of State - particularly Barack Obama.

Note in this first image, Mr. Putin displays a "Central Forehead Contraction" (CFC) with what appears to be (low resolution and indirect angle) a very slight right sided, insincere mouth smile - with a degree of contempt.

In this image Vladimir Putin displays a CFC with a slight degree of regret.

In this photo, although the angle is not optimal, the Russian President's mouth appears to be relatively neutral - yet his central forehead contraction is again seen.




When a person feels emotionally uncomfortable but desires to not let it show (e.g. feeling beta but wants to appear alpha) - he or she will very often over-use their central forehead muscles. Putin is doing so in these examples. He very much fees the odd man out.

Although the use of the CFC can indicate a number of completely different emotions depending on the other body language signal which accompanies it (a nonverbal cluster-context) - the over-use of the central forehead contraction can be a reliable indicator for feelings of insincerity, inferiority and seeking validation.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2745: Vladimir Putin Deception regarding Crimea - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2742: Vladimir Putin on the Crisis Ukraine - Thin Slicing Levels of Anger - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 2759: Vladimir Putin, Annexation of Crimea and Mouth Asymmetry - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2647: Vladimir Putin regarding Edward Snowden, What Does the Russian Leader Think?

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2512:  Matthew Cordle's YouTube Confession  and the Death of Vincent Canzani  "I Killed a Man" - What His Body Language Tells Us ...  It's NOT what you think!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2842: Barack Obama in Normandy regarding Edward Snowden - Body Language Tells

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