Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3540: Johnny Manziel's Ego - Body Language Tells (PHOTO)

A grand jury in Dallas, Texas has indicted Johnny Manziel on a charge of assault. Colleen Crowley, Manziel's ex girlfriend, is alleging the former NFL quarterback of threatening, restraining and hitting her - causing her to lose hearing in one ear.  The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner has denied hitting Ms. Crowley. The indictment accuses Johnny Manziel of "intentionally and knowingly and recklessly (causing) bodily injury to" Ms. Crowley.

Be careful here to observe specifically the prominence of the lower lip (compared with the upper one). Moreover, it's crucial to note that this lower lip pout is also accompanied by a jutting forward of the jaw (Jaw Jut). The lip prominence largely camouflages the jaw's movement. It's an attempt of the psyche at misdirection. Every human being makes this expression from time to time - but those who display this expression chronically have personalities with a higher incidence of egocentric behaviors and narcissistic qualities as well as poor impulse control.

This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. 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 – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3539: Conspicuous by it's Absence - Donald Trump's Missing Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3522: Felicity Jones in New Star Wars Trailer: "Rogue One"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3517: Before His Walk Back, Donald Trump "There Has To Be Some Form of Punishment" to Women who have Abortions 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3510: Lindsey Graham - The Senator Picks His Poison: Ted Cruz vs. Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3367: Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3490: Conor McGregor, being a Plumber and LeBron James

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3481: Gordon Ramsay Tries Girl Scout Cookies for the First Time 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3467: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Dies 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2576: Chris Brown's Body Language - a Signal of Psyche's Suppressing Emotions ... and Anger and ....  

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2528: Sen. Ted Cruz, Obamacare and Filibusters - Differentiating Ego vs. Other Motives with Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The image on this post however, were captured from this video.

It doesn't matter whether you're a republican, democrat, socialist, communist, pro-Obamacare, Anti-Obamacare, a political junkie or apolitical (this website shares none of those agendas) - the information in the following body language analysis will benefit you dramatically. It is extremely important (and protective, beneficial, etc.) to see this - regardless of whether it emanates from the face an ally or an adversary.

Throughout this entire video, Senator Ted Cruz (R - TX) discusses Obama-care and the lengths to which he will go to try and de-fund it. Also through this video, Senator Cruz displays a "Central Forehead Contraction" (CFC). A CFC is very often seen with an elevation of the inner (medial) eyebrows, although sometimes this is subtle. A common setting where the central forehead contraction is seen is in the presence of physical or emotional pain - either for oneself or for another person(s) [or animal(s)] via empathy. In these scenarios however, there MUST ALWAYS be a congruent expression of the mouth/lips (e.g. that of pain, sadness, fear, etc.). Cruz however displays a pseudo-smile in association with his CFC. THIS IS A MAJOR RED FLAG. ALWAYS. 

Now first off, every human being displays the CFC with a false mouth smile .... from time to time. This is seen within the context of:

• Arrogance
• Contempt 
• Incredulity (mixed with arrogance/contempt)

Note all of these emotions are ego-centric.

In addition, it is extremely important to note that a smile with any type of forehead contraction (a CFC, across its entire width, or on one side) is ALWAYS an insincere smile. 

Once in a while we all feel arrogant, contempt or disbelief. And while the CFC + Pseudo-smile expression is not the only body language manifestation of these emotions, these are not rare nonverbal displays. HOWEVER, when seen chronically, this body language-facial expression takes on additional ominous meanings as it signals:

• Narcissism 
• Sociopathic Behavior

Thus WHENEVER the CFC + Insincere Smile is seen, even in the otherwise normal individuals, it signals behavior in which the primary motivator is their Ego - not you/your benefit, not their constituents or even their children. They may be saying "all the right things" (even things you want to hear), but the primary driver of their behavior are self-benefits not the welfare of others. This point cannot be over-emphasized. When the CFC + Insincere Smile is seen chronically, stay away from these individuals. They are only interested in their benefits. They may camouflage well and agree with you verbally, but be warned - here there be dragons. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2405:  Anthony Weiner's Running For Mayor of New York, His Body Language & His Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2441:  Paula Deen's Apology - What Does Her Body Language Say?

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 # 1910:  Natasha Smith Sexually Assaulted in Tahrir Square -  Post Assault Interview

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2124:  This Body Language-Facial Display  Should always make you think "Insincere" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2259:  Game Show Killer Rodney Alcala Gets Two More Sentences - His Body Language Warning Signs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2140:  Joran van der Sloot's going to be a father - Body Language Signs of Chronic Insincerity

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Negotiation and Dating Secret # 111: The Great Phone Tell

There's no diplomatic way to say this, but those who hold their cell phones with their elbows high and straight out to their sides have big egos (exceptions - see below). This is especially true when it's done in public and in crowds. It is a dominance display and it's rarely seen in women. It's typically seen in  alpha-males with narcissistic tendencies, however it can also be seen in beta-males when there are women in close proximity to whom there is an attraction or if he feels the need to project confidence (e.g. constructive or nonconstructive criticism of a subordinate). But in these circumstances, this nonverbal signal is only temporary. If it's seen consistently, then it's a very reliable sign of an "excessive alpha", narcissistic personality. All the ladies out there take note - when the man in your life holds the phone this way - always approach with caution. In the business world - this is a sign that he will probably be very difficult to deal with. Despite what he may say, he will be thinking, "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine." Come prepared with a strong plan B in your back pocket.

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Leadership Secret # 21: Dominance-Support

Here former President Bill Clinton accompanies Florida Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate, Alex Sink. Note his hand on her upper back (a variation of this is the hand-on-shoulder). This gesture is often seen in a similar context as it would be between a parent and child - going though doorways, at introductions, when some kind of support or leadership is expected, etc - but unlike the parent-child relationship, the underlying emotions which drive this behavior are often not motivated by support and nurturing, rather they are driven by ego. This is an extremely common gesture for Presidents and former Presidents (of both political parties), CEO's, senators, congressmen, etc. and really for those who are senior in any company or organization. It is always done by the higher ranking person to those more junior and never the other way around. 

Although those on the receiving end of this gesture almost never show it, this particular body language display of dominance-support can be interpreted as patronizing and condescending. It's as if the more senior person feels the physical need to remind the subordinate (or themselves') who's in charge. It can be thought of as variation on the manipulator-adaptor-pacifier (MAP) that is performed on another person, and while it may cause the receiver anxiety, it pacifies the giver. Everyone who has ever been on the receiving end of this gesture knows the awkwardness and uncomfortable feeling this gesture generates. For those of you in power, know that while you may not realize it, this only serves to alienate you from those in whom you are trying to engender trust and devotion.

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