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

Yesterday Vladimir Putin gave his first Press Conference regarding the Crisis in Ukraine and his of Russia's role there.  As with most such occasion, there are a multitude of body language tells here. Below are just two - yet important nonverbal moments of the above edited video.

One very important factor helping to differentiate between subtle to mid-levels of anger vs. more elevated anger are the position of eyelids.

Here at the 1:04 mark, note that Putin's eyebrows are lowered and his eyelids are partially closed (narrower vs. his normal resting eyelid position).

Notice also the tension of the lower eyelids and mild tension of his mid-face.

In this image, only 4 seconds later, the Russian President's upper eyelids have opened significantly - wider than his resting/baseline state. His lower eyelids exhibit increased tension and are also opened further (as his brows are lowered even more).

Note that Mr. Putin's mid-face is considerably more tense. Specifically there is contraction of his "mustache area" and dilation of his nostrils (only left one is visible).

What does the change in Mr. Putin's pupils diameter (vs. the above image) indicate in this moment?

The veins in the President's forehead/temple region are also more (and subtly visible in his neck as well) dilated/congested in the lower picture compared to the upper image. This finding indicates the relative increased intra-thoracic and intra-cranial pressure consistent with a Valsava phenomenon associated with Vladimir's (or anyone's) elevated anger level.

What other body language signals do you see in this short by very telling video?

See also:

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2721: Vladimir Putin at U.S. Hockey Victory over Russia at Sochi Olympics - Body Language

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 Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2433:  Vladimir Putin & David Cameron Disagree on Syria -  A Body Language Evaluation of Russian Leader 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2741: Lupita Nyong'o Wins an Oscar - Signal of high sincerity and empathy

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1875: Nadal defeats Djokovic at French Open - Disgust + Anger Expression from Novak

Rafael Nadal just won his record seventh French Open at Roland Garros today Defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets, 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. Nadal, who now has 11 Major wins to his credit, prevented Djokovic from becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 from winning four consecutive majors. During the close-up of Novak at the 2:21 - 2:29 segment of this video, a classic but subtle nonverbal expression of disgust can be seen with the addition of some mild anger. Take particular note of the flaring of his nostrils and the tightening of his mid-face, particularly the "mustache area". In addition, Djokovic's eyebrows are drawn together and pulled downwards. There is also a bilateral partial closing of his eyelids - consistent with a "squint" of mild anger.

In the photograph below, which was taken at earlier match at this year's French Open, Djokovic gives a great body language display of thinning of the lips, particular of the upper lip - which is a highly indicative signal of anger. Note how very horizontally straight the lips are in this moment of anger.

See also:

Analysis # 531: Sarkozy's Mouth Tells Us What He's Feeling

Analysis # 1863: Sharapova's Lips of Anger

Analysis # 51: Dominance Display in a Couple - Maria & Sasha

Analysis # 1859: The Prince is Angry at the Queen's Jubilee  

Analysis # 1446: Tension in the Hands - Tension in the Mouth

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1834: Chelsea FC vs. Bayern Munich and the G8

The above image, and the higher resolution section from it seen below, was taken on 19 May 2012 at the G8 Summit at Camp David, Maryland. These World leaders are watching the penalty shootout (tied 1-1 in regulation) in the final match of the 2012 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Championship between the London-based Chelsea Football Club vs. the favored FC Bayern Munich. Contrasting their body language and the look on their respective countries leaders' faces tells the whole story. With his arms & hands lifted high, the U.K.'s Prime Minister David Cameron expresses vicarious fiero at Chelsea's 4-3 shootout win. Angela Merkel's normally hyper-expressive face displays more subtle body language in this photo. Her eyelids are partially closed in a particular configuration and in this cluster-context are indicative of subtle anger (think of Clint Eastwood in "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"). Unlike the partial closure which accompanies a sincere smile, with this anger nonverbal, there are no dynamic, concave-up furrows seen in her lower lids.

Interestingly, Barack Obama, standing between Cameron and Merkel, is both the leader of this G8 Summit and also friends with David. While his obvious vocalization shows his partiality to Chelsea FC - we can see he's experiencing emotional dissonance - for his hands are self-restrained behind his back as his subconscious attempts to maintain some level of neutrality so as not to offend Angela.

See also:

Analysis # 351: Some Subtle and some not-so-subtle signs of anxiety, discomfort, anger, fear, etc.

Analysis # 1696: George Zimmerman's Testimony - Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Analysis # 1211: Tiger's Eyes - Subtle Signal but Severe Anger

Secret # 405: Carli Bruni's Dagger Eyes

Secret # 353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles

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Body Language Not So Secret # 302: An Injustice to Martin

Certainly, I am not the first to write about this, but perhaps I am the first Body Language expert to do so. We all should join in unison for the call for a re-do. The Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial recently unveiled on the National Mall in Washington D.C. has many controversies surrounding it. The inaccuracy of his quote, the origin of the granite, the nationality of the and previous work of the sculptor are all very valid and I will not belabor their details here, but I would of course, like to discuss Martin's body and facial language as portrayed in his statue. 

Lincoln's, Jefferson's, FDR's, etc. nor any other of our nations leaders sculpted in stone or metal in Washington D.C., on Mt. Rushmore or elsewhere are portrayed with such a negative body language as Reverend King's was recently carved. Any child will tell you that his facial expression as portrayed here is negative. It does in fact display mild anger. Why? His crossed-arms are consistent with closed-mindedness and defensiveness. Why? These are not opinions - but reflective of factual human behavior. Martin Luther King Jr. embodied none of these negative emotions.

The presence or absence of a wedding ring is significant too. Indeed, it is a very strong symbol. It's difficult to find a picture of Dr. King without his. He was wearing it while on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963 - why not now, forever in stone?

That this particular statue-memorial design was approved, one so poorly representative of such a great man - reflects an incredible set of oversights and gross incompetence. I love the man and what his memory and work stands for, but this is a profoundly inadequate attempt at memorializing him. Re-do!

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Negotiation Secret # 102: The Often Overlooked Midface

The girl is angry. Her anger level is mild to moderate. She demonstrates this emotion by displaying an excellent example of mid-face tightening. Her upper lip is narrowed and tightened (but not rolled in)- a reliable sign of anger. The entire "mustache area" (I refer to this region the same for both sexes - a simple and orienting descriptive term) is tightened as well. This tightening is most easily seen by observing the two tissue ridges of the philtrum becoming flattened (The philtrum is the central concave depression with two lateral raised lines of skin that extends from the inner edges of each nostril to the central upper lip - this conjunction makes the two slightly pointed prominences on the upper lip "peak", giving the "cupids bow" appearance to the upper lip). Look for this dynamic flattening. It is a clue to anger. It often is accompanied by at least some degree of nostril dilation (which is also seen with other emotional states such as disgust - bilaterally, and unilaterally with contempt, etc.). The skin of the lower lids are also tightened (along with being partially closed). So start tuning into this mid-face tension, lest you miss early signs of anger. 

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Negotiation Secret # 135: Negative Clustering

This image of Johnny Depp is a great example of a Critical Evaluation Cluster (B. & A. Pease). A "Cluster" is when two or more body language signals occurring simultaneously or in a very short period of time (two or three seconds) - that when congruent with each other, is consistent with a very high degree of accuracy. Here, Mr. Depp's mouth is slightly tightened (mild anger), the entire width of his forehead is contracted (here, apprehensive/incredulous), while he is self-touching his right eye brow (here, anxiety associated with disbelief). In addition, Johnny is not looking directly at the person(s) to who(m) these emotions are directed. We don't look directly at those we don't like, don't respect or don't believe. Johnny Depp is one of the most respected and most liked actors of our time - but here he's not acting. Thanks for the lesson Mr. Depp.

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