Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2892: Alexander Borodai - Donetsk's People's Republic Prime Minister (Pro-Russian Separatist Leader) interview with Chris Cuomo regarding Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Alexander Yurevich Borodai (Александр Юрьевич Бородай) is the "self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic" (an eastern portion of what most consider Ukraine). Yesterday he was interviewed by Chris Cuomo regarding the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. The above video is a substantial fraction of that video. What follows is a partial body language analysis of Alexander Borodai.

From 0:36 - 0:39, Borodai displays a head tilt backwards with an eye-roll.

Rolling of the eyes such as this is a very conscious and deliberate contempt display. He wants to flaunt his contempt.

Although Mr. Borodai perhaps has an underlying asymmetric mouth configuration when he speaks, in this video he has multiple examples of additional asymmetry.


 1:52

 At 1:53

Note that when compared to the image above taken about a second earlier, Borodai's additional left facial contraction in this image exhibits a slight increased eyelid closure, increased left contraction of his mustache area, and increased nostril flare. These are all significant for the nonverbal signals of contempt.

This image taken at 2:14 during the above video displays both contempt and disgust.

The dramatic backwards head tilt - with his proverbial "nose in the air" is highly significant for disgust.

Continued display of contempt at is seen here at 3:42. Note throughout most of this interview, Borodai has partial eyelid closure - which acts as an amplifier for the emotions of disgust, anger and contempt.

At 3:59 Mr. Borodai's eyebrows are vectored downward as his mouth foreshortens and his upper lip thins in another clear expression of anger.

What else is seen here which signifies anger?

For about 2.5 seconds (from about 4:06 to 4:08.5), Mr. Borodai's eyelids exhibit prolonged full closure. This display signifies very strongly the emotion contempt.







 

Contempt exists whenever a person feels that he/she is better than another person or group of people. It is extremely caustic to both the recipient and those who project it.

Note the relative lack of hand and arm illustrators by Mr. Borodai during this interview. This characteristic taken in isolation is consistent with a significant elevation of anxiety. Much of the time his hands are placed flat on the tops (anterior surface) of his thighs. This additional sign is highly significant and further indicator of anxiety. And although his legs cannot be seen directly, their position can be appreciated indirectly by the configuration of his arms (which are as stated earlier resting on them). Borodai's legs are closer together vs. Cuomo's - and indeed though Cuomo is unarmed and in a war zone, most of Mr. Borodai's body language is significantly beta to Mr. Cuomo's alpha. Cuomo is more confident. Conversely, Borodai has low emotional comfort and has contempt, disgust and anger directed at Cuomo and his line of questioning.

The rate of Alexander Borodai's blinking throughout much of the interview was significantly increased above normal. This is another strong anxiety indicator.

Note that from 3:34 - to 3:44, Borodai had virtually no eye contact with Cuomo as he was explaining about the fog of war and his effort to recover the bodies. Eye contact often drops dramatically during the act of lying.

From 2:28 - 2:32 while he was speaking about the treatment of the bodies, Borodai displayed the low, conventional steeple (tips of fingers and thumbs of each hand touching each other). This was a strong signal hyper-alpha display - however because this was prolonged and used with an additional chopping motion - it became indicative of arrogance and a condescending mindset. This small portion of the his story (a decapitated body that fell through a roof and landed on a woman's bed) was probably true (a few seconds later, beginning at 2:33 he uses the alpha-beta hybrid illustrator of a basketball steeple) - but he is over-compensating with his confidence during this "slice of truth" - because the remainder of his story is scattered liberally with deception.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2891: James Garner and ... Why was he so well liked?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2811: Jason and David Benham are Dropped from HGTV - Body Language of Subtle Contempt, Anger & Disgust
 
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2786: Jewish Community Center Shooter - Frazier Glenn Cross, Jr - A Very Common Body Language Display of "Hate Crimes", Mass Shootings and Terrorism

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2769: Smiling Out of Context in a Mass Shooter - T.J. Lane's Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1496:  Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2533: Angela Merkel's Low Steeple "Trademark" - A Major Body Language Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2753: Malaysia Airlines Flight 370's Pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah, Body Language

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2788: Oscar Pistorius Trial - Frustration & Anger - Body Language (PHOTOS)

An ex-police officer and an expert witness in the field of forensics, Roger Dixon, testified today in the trial of Oscar Pistorius for the alleged premeditated murder of Reeva Steenkamp.

In the image above, Mr. Pistorius can be seen with his left eyelid closed (his right is probably closed as well and virtually always is in this configuration). Oscar's head & neck are also flexed forward and he is pinching his upper nose (what many call the "bridge" of the nose). This nonverbal cluster is highly correlated with frustration and anger.

See also:

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

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. 2436:  Vladimir Putin next to Barack Obama -  G8 Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2727: "I am a Ukrainian" Video - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2138:  President Obama's Anger-Frustration During Debate -  An Under-Appreciated Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2787: Korean Ferry Sinking, Empathy and Emotional Processing - Body Language



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2649: How a Kiss can Change the World - Body Language of Affection (PHOTO)

Photo Credit Marco Bertorello

This is an incredible photo examples an incredible scenario of human emotion and the body language which accompanies it. The woman is protesting a high-speed train line in Susa, Italy. She is lifting the face-shield of a police officer to kiss him as a peace offering. Note that both of their eyes are closed. At moments of high affection (such as a kiss) and other affectionate, close head-touching scenarios (e.g. sincere hugs), the eyes will close. The emotional brain wants to drink in" and experience every little bit of the emotion of the moment - and such emotion is heightened by eyelid closure. Forty percent of the mass of the brain is visual. Ninety percent of all sensory input is also visual. Thus when the eyelids are closed there is a transient and subtle blood flow and neurochemical downshift in the visual portions of the central nervous system, while the other senses (taste, touch, smell and hearing) grow temporarily more sensitive - and the cognitive and emotional centers of the brain will also up-regulate. This is natural when tasting a chocolate desert, or often when a singer performs, during intense concentration, at the height of sexual orgasm, etc.

Perhaps the police officer and the woman knew each other prior to the protest. Perhaps not. We do not know his specific orders either. While this would seem to be contrary to law enforcement protocol, it seems she has, by her affectionate display, changed his World-view.

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 2502:  A Nonverbal Sign of True Love & Affection - A Father Reunited with Young Son Who He Believed died in  Syria Poison Gas Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2535: William Swenson, Medal of Honor and Body Language on the Battlefield (VIDEO, PHOTO)

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

Body Language Analysis No. 2108:  Rihanna's and Chris Brown's Kiss and Hug  What are they REALLY feeling?

Romance and Dating Secret No. 202: Revealed in a Kiss -  Prince Albert and Princess Charlene 

Body Language Analysis No. 2643: Is this Hug More Sexual or Affectionate? Student Suspended One Year for Hugging a Teacher

Body Language Secret No. 105: Parental Affection and Love

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2418: Startle vs. Surprise Body Language in the Yankees & Red Sox Dugouts

Human beings are born with only two fears - that of loud noises and of falling and in this short video of their respective dugouts, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox give a great example of the former with a "Startle Reflex". Often confused with body language, it is neither. This reflex occurs at below the level of either the conscious or the subconscious. As with many things however, this is not always as clear cut as it sounds - for the reflex rapidly gives way to emotion.

Although it is not possible to see all the fine detail through the rain covered camera lens, variations of the startle reflex are clearly seen here. This is characterized by a rapid configuration to the fetal-like position occurring 250-500 milliseconds after the thunder (or whatever event/sound). The hands rapidly cover the head/face with additional flexing of the head and neck in an effort to protect the throat, face and chest. The arms and shoulders pull inwards - closer to the body's center and the back, hips, knees and ankles flex and contract closer to the central axis as well. If greater detail were possible a very tight closure of the eyelids could be seen here (another protection mechanism).

Intriguingly, after the noise, there is almost always a "looking towards the source" to discern a cause (not as much with thunder as the cause is of course known, yet it is still often seen).

In the video, note how the second Yankee from the camera is hyper-reactive. This reaction is a manifestation of surprise-fear. Indeed in the image below, although it is relatively blurred - widely opened eyelids and elevated brows are captured on the third Yankee, while the second, third and fourth all display the wide open, vertically elongated mouth opening highly indicative of surprise. More can be seen within the dynamics of the video.

In conclusion, the startle reaction is a reflex (and is not a type of body language) and lasts from 250 to 500 milliseconds (1/4 to 1/2 second). Thereafter it is rapidly replaced by surprise and surprise-fear and then fear (bottom image, Red Sox closest to camera) and the displays of these nonverbals can be clearly seen.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2304:  It Came from Outer Space - Russian Meteor Event over Chelyabinsk - Don't Confuse this Reflex with Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2163:  Beirut, Lebanon Car Bomb Video -  What is often Confused for Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2170:  The San Francisco Giants, Surprise,  Bird Poop and Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1261:  Christine Lagarde - True Surprise - Rarely Captured

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2159:  Tom Hanks drops the F-bomb on GMA -  Body Language of Fear, Surprise, MAPs and a Bitter Smile 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2338:  Why Does Keit Pentus-Rosimannus feel Fear?  Body Language of Estonia's Minister of Environment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2274:  The Eyes & Mouth of Fear - Body Language of Ahmed Dogan during Attempted Assassination

Surprise on face of Yankee 2, 3 & 4

Fear on this closest Red Sox player's face









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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1460: French Presidential Election - Marine Le Pen and Fear-Anxiety

Marine Le Pen is a candidate in upcoming French Presidential election. In this image she shows a very common, yet very "nonverbally naked" cluster. Her emotions are very exposed for all to see. Touching anywhere on the head or neck, in general, is a strong indicator of anxiety. Touching the face or front of the neck is more highly indicative with deception-anxiety, while rubbing/touching/scratching the back (posterior) head or neck tends to strongly point toward non-deception related anxiety.

Certainly all facial or anterior neck touching does not indicate lying however. Careful observation and correlation with other body language signals, paralanguage and verbal indicators (e.g. statement analysis) is always essential when trying to elicit deception.

Le Pen's eyes, while partially closed (as is required for all sincere smiles) do not have the concave-up furrows in her lower lids - rather they have multiple small ridges & wrinkles. True joy-happiness smiles must have this highly characteristic and transient lower lid groove. See: Secret #353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles.

Marine's mouth is pulled laterally in a classic fear expression. If her smile was genuine, the bottom teeth will not be visible. Unfortunately, this is a very common form of a social smile. It is clearly feigned. While a better variety of social smile or perhaps even a true, felt smile of joy-happiness may have been present a few moments before this image was captured, some event has occurred and/or someone has spoken - causing her to adopt a classic, fear-anxiety nonverbal display.

Ms. Le Pen is experiencing fear-anxiety. I wonder what Sarkozy is doing?

See also: Secret # 531: Sarkozy's Mouth Tells Us What He's Feeling

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Romance, Marriage and Dating - Body Language Secret # 771: Ann's and Mitt's Affectionate Hug

Mitt and Ann Romney are shown here just after the former Massachusetts Governor's narrow victory in the Iowa Caucuses last night. One signal of a truly affectionate hug is beautifully exemplified here (particularly by Ann Romney) in the head-to-head, neck-to-head and head to chest/shoulder touching. Surface area contact between these areas are directly proportional to the level of affection felt in that moment. Mitt is leaning forward, which is certainly affectionate in this context - however if his head were tilted to his right (towards Ann) - it would be an even stronger emotional display. A twist to this nonverbal in this particular setting though - is that a neck tilt often sends vulnerability signals. Thus although there are exceptions, it is unusual for politicians and other leaders to tilt their heads when in public. Mitt is also in the midst of mental multitasking, ergo his emotions and thoughts are more divided, while Ann is more focused in the moment.

Additionally, eyelid closure during an embrace is strongly correlated with sincere affection. Those who hug with open eyelids are either lacking in affection or emotionally/mentally distracted. When hugs between lovers begin to lack the head, neck, upper chest contact described above or show diminishing eyelid closure - the love is waning.

See also:  Flirting & Romance Secret # 2: Hugs as a Measure of Affection and Impending Break-up

See also:  Flirting & Romance Secret # 39: Affectionate vs. Non-Affectionate Hugs
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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 392: Christmas Cheer - Kate Middleton's and Prince William's Suppressed Smiles

This photo of Prince William, Prince Charles and Kate Middleton (Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) attending Christmas Day services at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk, Sandringham, shows both William and Kate with different mouth configurations, yet with similar eyes. The newly weds both are wearing suppressed smiles. Most people don't realize that a sincere, felt smile is not present unless a characteristic appearance of the eyes occur (Ekman). In order for a smile to be true, there must always be a dynamic and partial eyelid closure. And yet it is not this simple....

Some will tell you to look for "crows feet" when assessing "eye smiles" - but I caution against this for several reasons. After one reaches their mid-thirties, most everyone has some degree of crow's feet. Moreover an increase or decrease in these wrinkles are difficult to qualify, let alone quantify when the face is moving. A much more accurate and dynamic eye metric for identifying sincere smiles - is to look for eyelid closure. There is essentially no variance in iris size from person to person, so along with how much white of the eye (sclera) is visible - this adjacent anatomy serve as excellent yardsticks to quantify eyelid closure.

For a sincere smile though - simple partial eyelid closure is not enough nonverbal. There are different muscles used depending on the emotional reason for this action (See Secret # 353: Brad Pitt's Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles). Sincere smiles must always have the characteristic concave-up furrow on the lower eyelids as well as their partial closure - as seen here very well on Prince William and to a somewhat lesser extent on Kate. Both are trying to suppress their sincere, felt smiles.

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 271: Disgust with very little Mouth Component

It is useful to teach body language, as with any subject, one subtopic at a time, but nonverbal signals in the real world rarely occur in isolation, but in clusters - simultaneously or very close in time, with verbals and many other distractions thrown in. Here, Bruce Willis' contempt is difficult for some to see, primarily because he is displaying very little mouth component - the right side is only slightly elevated. What's more visible though is his mid-face tightening, specifically his nostril dilation. His nares are dilated, but more so on his right. This is highly consistent with contempt (unilateral) - and disgust (bilateral). Another subtle and almost never looked for signal seen with both of these emotions is the tightening of the "mustache area" (MA) - Bruce's MA is fairly tense. The closing of his eyelids along with the lowering and coming together of his eyebrows are indicative of disgust and contempt too, but also anger. In this context, the eyelid and brow changes primarily represent anger - since so little lower facial component of disgust-contempt are present. Although this is close to Willis' "Tough Guy" cliche look - there is real emotion here.

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