Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3537: Stephen Colbert, Reince Priebus and a Flubbed Monologue - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

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.

During this recent Stephen Colbert episode, the comedian botches his Reince Priebus Baileys-on-his-cereal-monologue (beginning at 3:03). In the process he exemplifies a rarely noted but commonly seen nonverbal display.

When there is a temporary disparity between we have just said - and what we intended to say - a variation of transient disbelief occurs. This manifests itself nonverbally in several ways. One type are specific facial touching MAPs (Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers). Most commonly these are the nose rub/scratch or ...

the eye rub or (not exampled here) the ear screw, ear pull.
















Stephen is sincerely laughing at himself - and he can't believe he messed up. What are the other nonverbal signals present in this cluster which solidify this conclusion? What other thought-emotions should come to mind when you see a nose rub/scratch, an eye rub or an ear screw/pull clustered with different body language signals?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3536: Prince Explains His Name Change in 1999 Interview

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3524: Paddleboarder's Encounter with Spinner Shark

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3512: Emilia Clarke, "Me Before You" and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3439: Ted Cruz and the Lateral Lip Purse 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3349: Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper, Sophie Grégoire, & Laureen Harper in Ottawa for Nathan Cirillo's Ceremony

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2424: Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien -  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2297: Rooney Mara on Conan O'Brien - A Common Body Language Tell - Fear Apology Query Expression-Cluster 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3328: PewDiePie on Stephen Colbert's Late Show - a Common Body Language Alpha Up-Regulator

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2944: Derek Jeter Answers Reporter's Cell Phone - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday was "Derek Jeter Day" at Yankee Stadium and although his team lost 2-0 to the Kansas City Royals, the shortstop and captain gave an emotional speech after the pre-game ceremony honoring him.

During the post-game press conference, some of the reporters left their cell phones on Jeter's table (doubling as audio recorders). One of the phones rang (Tara Sullivan's). Instead of ignoring it or giving it to its owner - he said, "Someone's phone is ringing", then read the caller's name aloud, "Walt Rheinheimer", upon which he answered it saying, "Walt she'll have to call you back buddy." It was pretty hilarious and also provides a few choice body language moments. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

"Walt she'll have to call you back buddy."

Microexpression of fear (Not all fear is "life or death" of course; this was a social level of fear). Jeter is however significantly worried he over-stepped here.

A nose rub (an example of a MAP - Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) in this context is essentially saying, "I can't believe I just did that."

Next Jeter grabs his arms tightly, shrugs his shoulders, foreshortens his neck (e.g. as a turtle going into his shell) and displays an expression of regret on his mouth. 

This nonverbal cluster indicates low emotional confidence.

A unilateral eye rub (another MAP) again nonverbally saying, "I can't believe I committed that faux pas."

Then Jeter pics up the phone a second time to re-examine what he already knows. This is an example of a "MAP surrogate" and is an effort to down-regulate his anxiety.







Thank you Derek Jeter for 20 fantastic years.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2943: Barack Obama on Meet the Press - Microexpression of ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2887 Derek Jeter, Smiles, Laughter and Body Language Nuance

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2833: Edward Snowden & Neck of Fear

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2581: Syria, Ambassador Robert Ford and a Body Language of Deception


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2542: Chuck Schumer Doesn't Believe Harry Reid - Body Language and a possible U.S. Government Shutdown (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Beginning at 0:42 in the Video above, Harry Reid (D - NV) says, "I've a very simple message to John Boehner: Let the House Vote. Stop trying to force a government shutdown." That sentiment is no secret. However careful analysis of Senator Chuck Schumer's (D - NY) body language about one minute later does reveal a less obvious opinion though.

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

During 1:44 - 1:47 Harry Reid says, "The votes are there to pass a clean CR" (Continuing Resolution). Overlapping with this statement during 1:46 -1:48 Schumer rubs left eyebrow with his left hand (more specifically with his left index finger aka forefinger) as he tilts (flexes) his head and neck down and forward.

At the same time Senator Schumer contracts and elevates the entire width of his forehead. This action also elevates both of his eyebrows.

In addition Schumer closes (or nearly so) both upper eyelids - but not in the usual fashion - rather he creates the dual tension of also trying to open his eyelids at the same time - but with a bit less effort so they are almost entirely closed. This competing dynamic gives the eyelids a particular look - as if they're "put on stretch".

This body language cluster of stretched eyelids, the entire forehead contracted, a unilateral eyebrow rub and a forward head-neck tilt given in concert with another person's declarative statement, e.g. Senator Reid's, "The votes are there to pass a clean CR" - is a very strong nonverbal indicator that Chuck Schumer does not believe Harry Reid. This does not necessarily indicate he believes Reid is lying (although in this context, it is the most likely conclusion), but at the very least it indicates that in Schumer's judgment, there are not enough votes.

Senator Schumer is a great example of just how unaware people typically are of their nonverbal tells when the attention is upon another individual near them - even when they are being televised. What other very significant body language did he exhibit during this short video?

See also:

Negotiation Secret # 29:  Eye Rub When Someone Else is Speaking - Angela doubts Vladimir

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1907:  Governor Rick Scott tells a Lie

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2214:  John McCain Jokes - sort of .... and  John Kerry senses Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2422:  Amy Adams on Jimmy Kimmel -  Body Language, Flirting and Dating

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1236:  Kofi Annan Does Not Believe

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2446:  Harry Reid's Lip Purse -  Body Language, the Immigration Bill & Negotiation

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1892:  Harry Reid, "That's a Clown Question Bro!" -  Tongue in Cheek

Close up of Senator Chuck Schumer at 1:46











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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2214: John McCain Jokes - sort of .... and John Kerry senses Deception

In the video above, John McCain (R-AZ) jokes with the audience and his colleague from across the aisle, John Kerry (D-MA) while calling the Massachusetts Senator, "Mr. Secretary" - alluding to the well-known speculation that Kerry has been for some time, on President Obama's short-list to replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State - although he is probably not Barack's first choice. The recent controversy regarding Susan Rice has made Kerry's nomination for this post somewhat more likely. Some have suggested that the republican attacks on Ms. Rice have the ulterior motive of vacating Kerry's U.S. senate seat for a potential republican spot in a special election, should Rice's nomination not pass the Senate - and Kerry is nominated and approved instead. Chess on the Senate floor.

Significant body language tells are displayed in this segment - with several different underlying emotions. Just after Senator McCain springs his joke, Senator Kerry rubs his lower forehead/upper brow and to briefly covers both eyes. This nonverbal indicates emotional processing, and a wanting to "wipe it from his mind" - he is saying to himself, "I can't believe he just said that". 

Very shortly after the above noted bilateral display, Senator Kerry rubs his left eye only. This body language of a unilateral eye rub indicates that, after the initial surprise, Kerry believes that there was something deceptive transpiring. As suggested above, he is most probably questioning Senator McCain's motives.

In the real world, emotions rarely occur in isolation and they also happen in rapid sequence. After Kerry says, "See, this is what happens when you get two losers up here", while their laughter and smile are sincere, Kerry's evanescent grabbing and shaking of the back of McCain's head/upper neck (just prior to one-armed hug) indicates more than a hint of a reprimand and scolding and is also an alpha display.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #1843: United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice in Response to Syrian Government's Houla Massacre

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1698: Susan Rice, Bashar Ja'afari & Kofi Annan's Six Point Peace Plan for Syria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2198: Susan Rice's Body Language at United Nations - Her First Public Appearance Since her Initial  Post Benghazi Attack T.V. interviews

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2190: President Obama's Body Language - Press Conference 14 October 2012 - in Defense of Ambassador Susan Rice

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2195:  Sen. John McCain's Body Language when  Comparisons made between  Condoleezza Rice to Susan Rice & War with Iraq to Benghazi, Libya Attack

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1907: Governor Rick Scott tells a Lie

In the third segment of this video montage (0:53 - 1:09), Florida Governor Rick Scott tells a lie. Note during the 1:03 - 1:04 clip, he rubs his right eye with his right hand/forefinger (aka index finger). In the context of answering a question or, as is shown here, when making a point-in-fact statement, rubbing one eye is a body language signal highly consistent with anxiety and particularly deception (a bilateral eye rub indicates something completely different). He also very noticeably stutters. Obviously, as Governor Scott was joking about comparisons between Florida and Texas, the result of such a lie are insignificant - except that they will act as "norming" signs (individual baseline behavior) for those who study your nonverbals/ do business with/married to, etc. 

The ease at which one can pull off a "relatively convincing" lie is proportional to the risks of getting caught (Ekman). If it is difficult for a person to deceive others with a falsehood of such minor ramifications, then it is also accurate to conclude he/she is a "bad liar" and lies with greater consequences would be easier to detect.

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