Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2765: Obama, Romney, Russia and Facial Asymmetry - Contempt at The Hague (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Like most people, President Barack Obama has some degree of facial asymmetry. In this momentary and relatively neutral emotional moment, we can see that the nasal-labial furrow (which runs from the side of the nose down to the corners of the mouth) is more shallow on Barack's right side - however it runs down past his mouth corner. On his left - it is more deeply defined but stops at the corner of the mouth. This asymmetry (among other things) makes some nonverbal signals more difficult to interpret. One example of this phenomenon is that - to many Mr. Obama will seem as if he is feeling contempt when he is not. Below however are examples of two very subtle and very real microexpressions of contempt. 

During the 0:14 second mark in his speech yesterday at The Hague,  just prior to and just after "... Russia's ..." (during 0:19 shown in image below) when President Obama says, "..... With respect to Mr. Romney's ah, assertion that, ah ... Russia's, ah, number, our number one, geo-political foe ... " (highlighted with red).

Note that at both of these moments, the presidents eyelids are closed in a slightly extended blink.

This extended blink in this context serves as a "Contempt-Amplifier" - which is extremely valuable yet very  under-appreciated body language signal.




There are multitudes of additional nonverbal examples seen in this short video. How many did you miss?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2646: Does Barack Obama Want to Go to the Sochi (Russia) Winter Olympics? What His Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2752: Barack Obama, Zach Galifianakis, Funny or Die - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2758: Barack Obama Regarding Further Sanctions to Russia for Annexation of Crimea - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2764: Embarrassment, Affection & Flirtation - Mila Kunis & Ashton Kutcher - Kiss Cam Body Language

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

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

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2045: Disgust in New Delhi

A clear facial-body language expression of disgust can be seen on the woman in the center of this image (wearing the white & yellow). The most prominent feature is bilateral flaring (dilation) of the nostrils (when only one nostril is dilated - think contempt). Her lower lip (more prominently) and upper lip (typically less noticeable) are both raised and protruding - which is also a very common manifestation of this emotion. Additionally, other portions of her mid-face are tightened - particularly the "mustache area" above the upper lip - as well as the accentuated nasal-labial furrows on the each side of her nose. Also present in this nonverbal cluster is the lowering of her eyebrows with a relaxed forehead. Dynamic Chin wrinkling is also very characteristic and can be seen here. Partial closure of the eyelids is also very commonly displayed but often overlooked as a component of the contempt facial cluster.

If this photo were a close-up, we may also be able to see dynamic "crows' feet" laterally to each eye along with furrows created by active muscle contraction of the corrugator supercilii muscles on the "bridge of the nose".

Disgust, like contempt, whether it's in New Delhi or New York may be felt towards a person or group of people - but disgust can also be directed towards non-living things .... like the rain.

See also:

Analysis # 1496: Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Analysis # 271: Disgust with very little Mouth Component

Analysis # 273: Anger and Disgust in Azerbaijan

Analysis # 72 & 73: Christine Lagarde's Disgust & Incredulity

 

Analysis # 1890: Eric Holder has (Emotional) Contempt toward Darrell Issa - while Rep. Issa is Very Excited to be Seeking "Contempt of Congress" against Holder

Analysis # 457: A Contempt Amplifier

Analysis # 1816: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Contempt & Mary Richardson Kennedy's Social Smile 

Secret # 1450: Rick Santorum's Contempt and Frown - The Proverbial Twisted Smile

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 457: A Contempt Amplifier

Salman Rushdie is displaying classic contempt in this photo with this asymmetrical "pseudo-smile" - note how the left corner of his mouth is elevated. The left nasal-labial furrow (the crease which runs from the side of the lower nose past the sides of the mouth) is deeply indented along with the concomitant bulging (contraction) of the cheek. This is also accompanied by a dilation of his left nostril. Collectively this is classic nonverbal cluster for the emotion of contempt.

The primary take home point here is in reference to Mr. Rushdie's eyes - Salman's upper eyelids are very "droopy". The medical term for this is "ptosis". They have been this way for at least 25 plus years and so for him this is probably congenital issue. Congenital ptosis is a relatively rare problem - however in most scenarios we wouldn't necessarily be knowledgeable about someone's medical history. Unfortunately this bilateral lid position accentuates the emotional signal of contempt. The vast majority of the time when you observe a partial (or complete) prolonged lid closure - aka "Slow Motion Blink" it's a strong signal of arrogance/condescension/contempt. 

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