Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3363: Chris Christie's Viral Video - Why do even Democrats love it? - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

A segment of Chris Christie's recent town hall style meeting in Belmont, N. H. has gone viral. And even Democrats like it. Why? - one reason is the subject matter. Many people from all walks of life, socioeconomic status and political ideologies agree with what the Governor Christie is saying here - that in the U.S., we must do some major rethinking for those in need of treatment for drug addiction.

Another reason Christie's speech struck a nerve is the fact that he shared very personal stories. The Governor spoke at length regarding his mother's addiction to nicotine and her subsequent death from lung cancer. The addiction of his law school friend and classmate to Percocet (Oxycodone combined with Acetaminophen) was particularly painful to listen to. Christie did an excellent job painting a story of this man's storybook successful life and then his profoundly sad downfall. The fact that these were personal stories with real people whom Christie had deep affection was translated into sincerity. And sincerity has a funny way of crossing partisan boundaries.

Sincerity is very often falsely ascribed when the opinion being expressed is in agreement with what we want to hear or believe. This phenomenon, among other things, is an example of what is known as "confirmation bias". Many other parameters influence our subjective experience when assessing for sincerity - these include factors such as our affection for the other person, their physical attractiveness, any financial benefit we may reap, if our employment depends on the outcome, etc. - it's a long list.

However in moments when we're closer to being objective beings, the feeling of sincerity is accurately sensed by most people if three key behaviors are in alignment - these are the verbal message, the nonverbal behavior and the paralanguage (vocal qualities). When all three of these are congruent - whether we agree with the opinion being expressed or not - we "feel" the other person's sincerity. In distinction, the next time you're listening or interacting with someone and something doesn't "feel" right - virtually always there is a significant disparity with these crucial three pillars of communication.

Gov. Christie's words (verbal content), his paralanguage (his tone, cadence, rhythm, volume, crescendo, decrescendo, etc.) and his nonverbal behavior were all in alignment during this speech. You may be a democrat, a republican or even Vladimir Putin - and you may even disagree with his opinion here - yet you should get a very high feeling of sincerity from this speech by Chris Christie.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3362: Marco Rubio and Alleged Misuse of State Party Credit Card

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3233: Chris Christie formally enters the 2016 Presidential Race - What about his Body Language? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3274: Chris Christie, Rand Paul, The Republican Debate and National Security

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3278: Chris Christie's Feeling Weak in the Knees - Body Language and The Republican Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2951: Miss America 2015 - Sincerity, Surprise and Botox

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3308: Hillary Clinton's Apology - Certainly Late, Yet Was It Sincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2911: Becky Hammon Part II - Blushing & a High Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1905:  Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3188: "Sending my friend into the wrong house" Viral Video - How We Hold Our Arms When We're Embarrassed ... and Running (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In this currently viral video, a guy sends his friend - who hasn't yet been to his house - to the wrong address. He told him to come on in - he'd be upstairs on the Xbox. His friend, soon discovering something amiss, rapidly leaves the house - runs down the driveway, up the street and around the corner. All the while the instigator who is filming the prank watches from across the street can be heard giggling.

This incident and video provide a great body language teaching moment. When fear is present, but relatively low - and it is embarrassment that is the more prevalent emotion - when running away, we tend to keep our elbows straight and not bend them as much as we would when fleeing during higher levels of fear. And while the embarrassed friend certainly does bend his arms/elbows in a manner more consistent with a conventional running configuration some of the time - this "unbent-elbow/straightened arm running" form of body language prevails.

0:38

 0:39

0:40

0:41















See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3187: Supergirl & Stanislavsky Skill - First Look - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3135: Ariana Grande Does a Spot-On Celine Dion Impression on Jimmy Fallon - Body Language Signals of ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3146: The Price Is Right - Manuela's Blooper

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2997: Halloween Haunted Houses - Transitioning from Expressions of Surprise to Fear

Nonverbal Communication No. 3110: Scarlett Johansson gets invaded by John Travolta - An Awkward Moment from the 2015 Oscars - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3165: Bruce Jenner's 20/20 Interview, Part I - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us ......

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3106: Amazing Selfie Proposal - Body Language Components of Surprise (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Most surprise is falsified - this is a fantastic viral video illustrating the facial expression of sincere surprise. Lisa May's boyfriend recorded his proposal initially disguised as a common selfie.

What follows is a partial body language analysis ...
 

0:03

Initial Fake Selfie

0:17.1

Eyebrows vectored downward and slightly inwards

Eyelids partially closed

She's thinking, trying to figure out what's her boyfriend is doing

0:17.2

Notice the diminution of the wrinkles on the bridge of her nose - she's no longer in deep concentration.

This image is in the milliseconds just before her surprise sets in.

Eyebrows have mostly relaxed upwards.



 

0:17.3

Contraction on bridge of nose completely relaxed.

This image is just after Ms. May's surprise is beginning. Both eyes are slightly opened more than baseline - particularly her left eyelid.

Eyebrows are relaxed (not downward directed)

0:17.4 early surprise

Very slight nostril flaring

Jaw begins to drop

0:17.5

Eyelids significantly more opened

Nostrils beginning to flare

Jaw more loose and dropping
(From where the old colloquial "slack-jawed" derives)

0:17.6


Eyelids and mouth opens more

017.7

Further opening of eyelids, nostrils and mouth


Forehead begins to contract







 

 017.8

0:18.2

Prolonged Eyelid Closure simultaneous with Contraction of full width of forehead - indicates momentary disbelief.

She is emotionally processing this event. Her intellect knows what has happened - yet emotionally - she does not fully believe what has transpired.

0:21

Highly characteristic nonverbal mouth configuration of sincere surprise (It's opened more vertical than feigned surprise). No teeth are showing.

 Still in disbelief

0:22

Full Surprise

Forehead fully contracted

Eyes Wide Opened

Nostrils Flared

Mouth Opened significantly Vertically 

No Teeth Exposed

0:23

Both eyes and mouth opened even more than previous image

Greater vertical component to mouth








Not every surprise is a marriage proposal. Thus most INsincere surprises are difficult for most people to differentiate. Do you know how to tell the difference?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3105: Joe Biden, Ashton Carter & Stephanie Carter - Vice President Encroaches into New Defense Secretary's Wife's Intimate Space

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1261:  True Surprise - Rarely Captured  IMF Director Christine Lagarde

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 21:  Surprise + Fear + Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2997: Halloween Haunted Houses - Transitioning from Expressions of Surprise to Fear

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1171:  Not So Fast Swift ....  Taylor's False Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3056: Jeb Bush Interview - 14 Dec. 2014 - Body Language Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3018: "Just Another Day in Russia" Viral Video - Planned Assault in a Restaurant - Threat Assessment and Body Language Warning Signals (VIDEO, PHOTO)

This video went viral a couple days ago and is allegedly from a security camera in a restaurant somewhere in Russia. From a nonverbal perspective, it could have been filmed in London, New York or Tokyo - for there is an extremely common pattern seen here, which like virtually all other body language - assault or otherwise - crosses all cultures and national borders.

This assault is atypical as it involves a large number of attackers as well as it appears to be targeting several people at one table (incidental violence to other nearby individuals in such scenarios is common though and some is seen here). The nonplussed demeanor of some people suggests they are immune because they are either involved or that they "know"/believe that as long as they keep out of the way, they will be spared (implying such activity is frequently witnessed).

Obviously most of these men appear to have ski-masks or similar garb covering their faces. This feature alone of course screams of an imminent attack. Yet the valuable take-home point here is that they're walking in a single-file line. When several individuals are about read to attack, it is extremely common that they will not walk shoulder-to-shoulder, but rather in a line. The pace of the stride in such scenarios is also typically quick - as is seen here. It is difficult to tell, but no firearms appeared to be involved in this incident - in such cases the hands will typically stay inside their pockets until the last moment when the gun is brandished (Therefore in these gun-assault cases, arms will not be swinging - compared with most of the attackers seen in this example). Such swinging arms immediately before the attack implies fists were planned rather than guns or knives.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3017: Narendra Modi, Tony Abbott and Hugs at the G20

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2500:  Ft. Hood Shooter Nidal Malik Hasan and Contempt  The Body Language of Threat Assessment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2656: Threat Assessment during Robbery - Body Language of Perpetrator 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2747: Adam Lanza's Warning Sign - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2933: Will Hayden ("Sons of Guns") Arrested - Body Language of His Mug Shot

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2863: Gary Oldman's Apology on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" - Sincere or Insincere? - Body Language Tells

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia Pilieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss" - Body Language of Romance and Affection (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Tatia Pilieva's video has directed and produced a very viral video - "First Kiss". In it she asks 10 pairs of strangers to kiss. Of course the participants were willing participants and NOT on a date with a lecherous cad. Presumably they were not in relationships as well - and they of course open-minded and romantic personalities. After these hurdles were cleared it is very interesting to note that the typical initial levels of intimacy were bypassed and most truly seemed to develop an immediate level of affection.

In addition there was a multitude of specific body language moments - some of which are discussed below:

Man displaying an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) which indicates his subconsciously trying to suppress strong emotions (e.g. excitement, anxiety, some fear).

She configures both of her elbows laterally with her armpit exposed. In this nonverbal cluster-context, this is a very strong indicator of attraction and sexual readiness.

This bilateral display of facial touch to her cheeks indicates a high level of "emotional buy-in" and empathy. It also tells us that her emotional mind is trying to process what her intellect already knows - she's about to kiss a woman she is attracted to and yet just met.

One woman suggests, "Let's look into each other's eyes first" and her partner readily agrees.

Gazing into another person's eyes strongly incites feels of romance and emotional intimacy - as long as the other person does not harbor negative emotions.

One (or here both) hand(s) to the upper sternum (manubrium) is a very reliable indicator of anxiety as well as a high empathy quotient.

Her full palmar contact tells us her feelings are sincere.

Touching foreheads is a nonverbal normally reserved for those who have established levels of affection. It is not primarily - and in many settings never sexual.

This is a very profound point - acting affectionate (not sexual) can truly trigger affection.

This Hair Adjust Behind Ear (HABE) body language is but one example of a MAP Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier). The HABE show that she is trying to "Dial Up Her Alpha" qualities. She is trying to amp-up her assertiveness.

The use of her opposite arm/hand to undertake this maneuver indicates a higher level of anxiety compared vs. if it was performed with the limb on the same side. 

After their kiss, this couple disengages with a mirrored body language of hands behind their backs. It's as if to say, "I'm (politely) done with this and I can't believe we just did that!"

Embarrassment!

He has some anxiety and is trying to figure out if and/or how much she likes his kiss.

Her looking down and away, wrist holding indicates embarrassment while here inward lip roll shows us she's trying to suppress her very positive emotions.

Relaxed, bilateral eyelid closure, head and torso tilt and full palmar contact indicates they are drinking every ounce of good emotion out of the moment.

This is a moment of bliss.






Take home point reiterated: Acting affectionate (not sexual) can truly trigger sincere affection. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia PIlieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss" - Body Language of Romance and Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2445:  Sasha Alexander on Conan O'Brien -  Sexually Provocative Displays 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2456:  Julia Merfeld Trys to Hire a Hit Man to Kill Her Husband -  Sexual Attraction and a Murderous Wife; Body Language and Disinhibition

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2325:  Mila Kunis' interview with Chris Stark on BBC Radio 1 re: Oz the Great and Powerful -  Body Language, Sexual Attraction and Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1650:  Ozzie Guillen Gets Suspended  by Miami Marlins Team President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2389:  Tom Cruise, Gerard Butler & Olga Kurylenko on  The Graham Norton Show  Alpha Body Language Behavior -  on The Phone and on the Couch

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2551: Marina Shifrin, Woman from "I Quit" Viral Video gets Job Offer from Queen Latifah (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

You may have heard - Marina Shifrin quit her job last week. She did it in a very creative way - an interpretive dance to Kanye West's "Gone" filmed at work in the wee hours of the morning. She posted the video on YouTube and it went viral. She's up to 15 million views (see below). Her sudden fame has caught her in a bit of a surprise though. Few go from relative obscurity to multiple national T.V. interviews overnight.

The beautiful and talented comedian and writer was offered a job recently during a guest appearance on Queen Latifah's show. A portion of this interview is shown above and some of her body language is critiqued below.

In this moment (0:53) Marina is shown displaying three very common MAPs (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) - a form of self. Her across-the-chest shoulder scratch is a truncated and transient form of a hands-folded across the chest. It connotes a higher anxiety, less-assertive, beta emotional tone. Queen Latifah has just offered her a job and Marina, in disbelief asks, "Are you doing a standup joke right now? I mean...?" At this same time she has also momentarily shifted to a lower-confidence mindset. Her second MAP is her right hand is between legs with fingers wrapped partially beneath her left thigh. This is another nervous and demure nonverbal signal.

What is her third MAP? Does it have the same significance?

Somewhat earlier in this same interview (0:37), Marina is configured in a form of a "Seated Fig Leaf". This occurs just after she jokingly asks, "Are you hiring?" More often seen in the standing position, this body language is another low confidence, beta configuration.

It is important to note that even alpha, outgoing and assertive personalities will, on occasion display beta body language indicators. Even experienced actors and musicians who are accustomed to being on camera will do so. When these and other similar signals are displayed chronically however, they are indicators of their over-all personality. 


Here is her "I Quit" Video. If you've not seen it, it's worth watching. She's got moves.




See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2522: Jake Gyllenhaal and Jimmy Kimmel, Part II,  Body Language and Anxiety in Hollywood

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2427:  Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik -  Body Language & Beta Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2484:  Projecting Weakness Where Strength is Needed  William Burns, Bernardino Leon & Egyptian Interim Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2519:  Vladimir Putin Speaks Syria, Chemical Weapons and Disarmament - Body Language just after his New York Times Op-Ed

Nonverbal Communication Test No. 2465:  Barack Obama's Comments on  Trayvon Martin & George Zimmerman Body Language & Sincerity 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2351: Mila Kunis on Graham Norton Body Language, Sitting and being "Emotionally Comfortable

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2534: Bill and Hillary are going to be Grandparents; President Clinton's Body Language is Telling Us that Chelsea is Pregnant 

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