Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2200: President Obama growing a Mustache? - Body Language and Facial Hair

In President Obama's Thanksgiving message yesterday, he sports one or two days of mustache growth. The last U.S. President to have any facial hair was one hundred four years ago - William Taft in 1908.

Worldwide, 50% of men have some form of facial hair. In the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and the Pacific Rim it's 33%. Currently only 1.2% of the male U.S. Senators, 6.8% of Governors and 10.8% of the U.S. House members have any facial hair - all substantially below the national average. Repeated studies show that those with facial hair are universally trusted less than clean shaven men. 

Amazingly this emotion even holds true in the minds of those males who themselves have a beard, mustache, goatee, soul patch, etc. 

Incredibly, preverbal children rapidly prefer images of their fathers with no facial hair, even if all but the in last few hours their dads had hair there.

Mug shots of freshly arrested men have a much higher incidence of facial hair. And in the courtroom guilty verdicts are also statistically more likely. 

An interesting aspect to this facial hair & society is seen in the world of sports. It appears that facial hair affords an increased success rate in some positions - such as baseball pitchers and goal keepers.

As far as politics and particularly true leadership are concerned, it is an extremely unwise idea for any President to grow facial hair. This is true in elections - and also office holders. One simply cannot ignore the strong tendency toward mistrust. It is an aspect of body language that is engrained in our brains. And Biology always trumps fashion. It is simply a nonverbal truth that having any facial hair statistically works against developing and maintaining rapport, negotiation and trust.

Barack's beginnings of a mustache will be short lived. Shave Mr. President.

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1697: Facial Hair, Politics and Athletes Phil Humber Pitches a Perfect Game 

Negotiation Secret # 337: Facial Hair, Trust and Politics

Leadership Secret # 39: Facial Hair and Perception  

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2199: Thailand, Body Language, Barack Obama and Yingluck Shinawatra -  Mirroring and Foot Point

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2179: Mitt Romney & Barack Obama - Sincere Hugs and True Affection 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2129: Barack Obama's Body Language, Misspeaks "Export More Jobs" Displays Incredulity and ....

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2199: Thailand, Body Language, Barack Obama and Yingluck Shinawatra - Mirroring and Foot Point

President Obama and Hillary Clinton are pictured here during their recent trip to Thailand. In this image they are meeting with the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej (to Obama's immediate left) as well as Thailand's Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra (to the King's immediate left). Baring some country & cultural idiosyncrasies, we point our feet to those who commands the most respect (even if it's someone who is disliked) - or to those to which we're physically attracted. 

Another notable body language exampled here can be seen with all three Thai leaders - they are leaning significantly forward in their chairs - mirroring President Obama. The mirroring nonverbal is further reflected in the position of Prime Minister Shinawatra's hands as well as the other Thai official to her left - relative to Obama's. Nonverbal, verbal and paralanguage mirroring are signals of rapport (and possible attraction) and when continued, they will engender these mental-emotional tones further. A drop-off in these mirroring phenomena will destroy rapport and when witnessed, should send up strong alert signals.

Both foot pointing and mirroring are, like 99.9+% of body language, initiated subconsciously. These are both very reliable nonverbal signals to use in sales, the negotiation process, in the court room - or during dating & romance. Care must be taken to avoid mirroring others too exactly or to quickly - lest it become obvious and backfire.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 731:  Body Language, a Beautiful Prime Minister and a Bad Handshake - Yingluck Shinawatra

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2196:  Cross Species Body Language Contagious Yawning of Dogs Mirroring Humans  An Indicator of What Dog Lovers Already Knew - Canine Empathy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 801: Mirroring Down Under - Barack Obama and Julia Gillard

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1239: Benjamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama and Iran

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2161: Body Language of the Third Presidential Debate -  Barack Obama and Mitt Romney - What Did They Do With Their Hands When They Weren't Talking? 

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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

Today, in her first public appearance since her T.V. interviews immediately following the 11 September 2012 Benghazi, Libya attacks - Susan Rice spoke outside United Nations Security Council. Although the entire event is not included in the above CBS video (those who have a URL of this full press conference are invited to forward the URL), the portion which is shown here is crucial. Susan Rice's verbal statements were highly congruent with her nonverbal signs as well as her paralanguage. At no time does the United States Ambassador to the United Nations display any body language signals of deception. Moreover, Ms. Rice's nonverbals are highly consistent with truth and indicate a very high "Sincerity Quotient". If this were a voir dire (jury selection), you'd be well advised to pick Susan Rice for your jury.

See also:

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

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

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2187:  Paula Broadwell with Hearsay on Benghazi Attack -  Excerpt from University of Denver Speech and a Body Language form of "Duping Delight" .... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2179:  Mitt Romney & Barack Obama -  Sincere Hugs and True Affection 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1905:  Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #1516:  Ozzie Guillen Apology, his "Sincerity Quotient" &  Fidel Castro 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2197: President Obama & Secretary Clinton at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) You Want to Pray for What?!

President Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton visited the Temple of the Reclining Buddha earlier this week in Bangkok, Thailand. During the 1:22 - 1:26 segment, he can be heard saying to his Buddhist guide, "We're working on a budget on this .... We're going to need a prayer for that." Some great nonverbals are displayed here. Freeze frame at 1:26. President Obama looks up to his right - this is the quadrant where 95%+ of right-handers look when they are visualizing the future - or visually constructing a past event which they did not witness and are thus envisioning for the first time. Many will say here, "But Obama is left-handed". True (partially), but in "norming" him over many videos - the President's brain "behaves as if he were right-handed." So Barack really ambidextrous tendencies - somewhat further exemplified because he wears his watch on his left (unusual for left hand dominant people). The President is visualizing the future - the upcoming difficulty with the budget and the impending "Fiscal Cliff".

His Buddhist Monk guide immediately looks down to his left - the quadrant where the vast majority of right-handers look when they are undertaking internal dialog and arranging syntax. At the same time, the Monk displays a classic body language tell of anxiety when he rubs/scratches his right brow. This has even greater significance because he's displaying this nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) with his dominant hand. It's as if we can read his mind and he's saying, "Mr. President, if we are to pray, should we not pray for Peace". The Monk is experiencing emotional dissonance. He is wrestling with just how he will answer Mr. Obama.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2186:  Paula Broadwell, David Petraeus,  Jon Stewart, Body Language and the man who would be President ... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1829:  Dara Torres Interview with Piers Morgan - Embarrassment,  Visual Recall, Sexual Anticipation Lip Biting &  Sincerity Quotients 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1840:  Brian Banks and The Innocence Project -  Auditory Recall, Contempt, Self-doubt and Syntax

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1869:  One Body Language Signal a President Should Never Display

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2189:  Jill Kelley's Body Language - Dialing Up Her Alpha ....

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2196: Cross Species Body Language Contagious Yawning of Dogs Mirroring Humans An Indicator of What Dog Lovers Already Knew - Canine Empathy

This is very interesting study, but as the title suggests, dog lovers have been aware of this and other more complex empathy canine (and other animals) behaviors for millennia. When there is a good amount of "like-mindedness" between two people - or as the study says, between people and their dogs - a "mirroring" of behavior often occurs. One type of neuron which helps to govern this behavior is known as a mirror neuron. Collectively these are known as the Mirror-Neuron-System (MNS). "A mirror neuron is a neuron that fires both when an animal acts and when the animal observes the same action performed by another." Such mirroring involves an extremely wide variety of behaviors - physical actions, emotions or amalgamations of both (not just yawning). Thus another, superior name for these cells could be "Empathy Neurons". Many a dog has been observed to mourn with the passing of a human (or dog) family member.

There are many definitions of the phenomenon of empathy. Heinz Kohut defined empathy as, the capacity to think and feel oneself into the inner life of another person (and we may add: group of people or animal/animals).

The feeling and expression of empathy is a fundamental component of a healthy and happy life. We cry when we see or hear others cry - as well as "feel" their sadness; and we are more likely to laugh when we witness others laughter - and feel their joy. Mirror neurons also engender the learning process - e.g. think of how natural it is for a young mind to learn any language in which they're immersed. Some neuropsychcologists feel that different types of defects in these neurons (or perhaps different sub-types of mirror neurons) may contribute to a wide variety of conditions - such as autism, - and even extremes as narcissistic personality disorder and sociopathic-psychopathic behavior and some criminal behaviors. If so, it is interesting to speculate at how a person who lacks suffers from any of the above conditions may benefit from a cell/tissue transplant from a donor of healthy mirror neurons. I believe it is not a matter of "if", only "when".

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1717: Why is Yawning Contagious? What is its connection to Autism?  and Empathy?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 20: Fiero Feels Good, Caroline Wozniacki & Our Mirror Neurons

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2052: Dialing Up Empathy and Sincerity -  Mitt Romney's & Barack Obama's Response to  Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting" 

Nonverbal Communication Exercise # 2012: Got Empathy? An Appeal to Asma al-Assad  Diplomacy through Unconventional Channels

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2193:  Keira Knightley interview re: "Anna Karenina" -  Body Language of "R2E2" Facial Expression

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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

As in many interviews of high level officials regarding very important issues, there is here an abundance of body language displayed by John McCain in this Anderson Cooper CNN video. A multitude of nonverbals indicate that the Arizona Senator believes that there was incompetence or worse with regards to the attack on the American Embassy in Benghazi, Libya on 11 Sept. 2012 - as well as how information regarding this event was released to the American public. He is sincere in his beliefs, and for him, this is not political posturing. One (of many) classic nonverbal example of this belief is his "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" (SRHW) exampled at 1:07 - 1:11.

However, at the 4:26 mark and again at 4:32, McCain displays two examples of a nose rub. This classic body language MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) indicates that, during this interview, McCain had very significant anxiety about how he felt regarding the reasons the U.S., at the time, made for going to War with Iraq. Moreover, with this particular MAP display in the context of this line of questioning - as well as other nonverbals, indicates there is a high probability that John McCain believes deception took place. So while nonverbal analysis reveals the former republican Presidential Candidate adamantly believes that "There's something rotten in Denmark" regarding the events in Benghazi on 11 Sept. 2012 and how they have since been handled - he also feels very uncomfortable reliving the decision making process and other circumstances which led America into the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.

It is notable that the left side of Senator McCain's face is hypo-reactive as he suffered a peripheral cranial nerve VII palsy, probably "Bell's Palsy", several years ago from which he has residual partial facial paralysis. This makes his body language signals more difficult to interpret to the untrained eye.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2156: Barack Obama's Body Language at Al Smith Charity Dinner -  Comedy, White Lies and Facial Touching MAPs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2175: Mayor Bloomberg, Body Language,  Hurricane Sandy and the NYC Marathon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2033:  Lie Detection, Sergey Lavrov and Syria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2158: Kennebunk Maine, Alexis Wright, Prostitution &  Spotting the Body Language of the Self Righteous

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2148: Joe Biden vs. Paul Ryan and the "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" in the Vice Presidential Debate 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2167:  Colin Powell Endorses President Obama -  His Body Language Display of Anxiety, Contempt & the  Self-Righteous Head Wiggle 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis-Test # 2194: Romney-Ryan Tattoo on Face - But What Does His Body Language Say?

Eric Hartsburg of Michigan City, Indiana had a Romney-Ryan tattoo on the side of his face (on his right temple region and just anterior) earlier this year. He reportedly was paid $15,000 to do so. After watching this interview, what does his body language tell you? Do you believe his nonverbal signals indicate sincerity or insincerity? One should always ask, "Is their nonverbal communication consistent with their verbal message?" Are his eyelid movements consistent with truth? What about his forehead? His mouth?

What you don't know, you won't look for - and what don't look for, you will not find.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2087:  Mitt Romney's Sincerity -  Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1855:  Sincere Kisses & Closed Eyes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2179:  Mitt Romney & Barack Obama -  Sincere Hugs and True Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2046:  Romney, Sincerity, Truth and Bain Capital

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1600: Senator Marco Rubio - Sincerity, Self-directed Incredulity & Humor, Blocking and Appeals for the Vice Presidency

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2192:  Senator Elect Ted Cruz - "So by the third debate, I’m pretty certain  Mitt Romney actually French-kissed Barack Obama" - A Body Language Red Flag

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2193: Keira Knightley interview re: "Anna Karenina" - Body Language of "R2E2" Facial Expression

The beautiful Keira Knightley is interviewed in this promo for her starring role in the recent rendition of Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina". Here she displays in a very brief display (a microexpression) - of a "Rationalization-Rapport-Empathy Expression" (R2E2).

At the 1:13 mark when Keira says the word "don't" the talented actress displays the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression.

To the untrained observer, the R2E2 can look very similar to the disgust nonverbal expression - although it's meaning here is of course, completely different. As a highly context body language, it's used during speech when the speaker is trying to rationalize and/or wants the listener to co-rationalize in their opinion, action, behavior, etc. Empathy and rapport are thus also being sought at these moments. As is the case with 99.9% of nonverbal communication, the R2E2 is initiated subconsciously - and everyone displays this expression.

A paralanguage correlation is important to note here - for there often is an coexisting higher pitch and increased rate of speech during the R2E2. It is also common for there to be a false or forced laughter and a leaning forward. Often there is a touching of the person who is being spoken to - or an abbreviated similar gesture of reaching toward them. These additional paralanguage and nonverbal actions serve as amplifiers and anchors in the effort to gain rapport, empathy and co-rationalization.

When you see the R2E2 displayed, it's a signal that the speaker/displayer believes that you (or they) are not yet fully convinced of their idea, plan, actions - so they are trying to "co-rationalize"- as if you, at least regarding the particular issue, are of one mind. It is an extremely common expression to see in professional sales, negotiations and in romance. Regardless - you are being wooed.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1143: Santorum Video Analysis - R2E2 and other Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1732: Rationalization, Rapport, Empathy Expression - How Jewel got her name

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 705: R2E2, Pseudo-Smiles and Bonding Beguiles 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 335: Keira Knightley and What does "Eye Contact" really mean?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2097: Mitt Romney's "No one's ever asked to see my birth certificate" defense - Body Language of Rationalization, Rapport and Empathy

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2192: Senator Elect Ted Cruz - "So by the third debate, I’m pretty certain Mitt Romney actually French-kissed Barack Obama" A Body Language Red Flag

In a speech today at the Federalist Society's Annual Conference, Senator Elect Ted Cruz (R-TX) demonstrated an ominous body language warning sign. Not that either party has a monopoly on this or other negative nonverbal emotional tells, for they are seen in abundance in both democrats and republicans - indeed in across all humanity. 

Though out the majority of this 1:27 video, the soon-to-be freshman Senator's central forehead muscles are contracted (CFC). The CFC is seen when there is significant physical or emotional pain - either felt directly for oneself, or for another person(s) or animal via empathy. HOWEVER, when the central forehead is contracted in the presence of these emotions, the remainder of the face should be congruent with these emotional-mental states - particularly the mouth. In this video Senator Elect Cruz's mouth is not

It's always a red flag when someone over-uses their forehead muscles, especially the central forehead - and even more-so in the presence of anything that resembles an attempt at a "smile". These are never true smiles though. All such smiles (with any forehead contraction) are false smile and indicate insincerity - for an absolute requirement for a sincere (Duchenne) smile is that the forehead must be relaxed. This is physiologic absolute.

Every human being occasionally wears the same expression that Senator Elect Cruz did in this video. It's interesting to note though, that the majority of people fall into a true dichotomy here (rather than a typically seen continuum of behavior) - they either rarely display this body language-facial expression or they wear this nonverbal often. Stay away from the second group. They are displaying a strong signal of insincerity. 

Any politician or "leader" of any type should be aware of such displays - for while this will be invisible to those who are sycophants - you will never win over independents or build any bridges during negotiations, campaigns, sales, conversation, etc. - any interaction which requires rapport. And it will destroy personal relationships. Others will rarely be able to quantify or qualify any facial expressions. They will simply be left with an (strong) uneasy feeling of insincerity.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2171:  Charlie Bit My Finger!  One Body Language Signal Always Seen With Significant Pain 

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

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1439:  Central Forehead Contraction & Inward Lip Roll  Devon Davis & April Davis 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2115:  Prince Harry in Afghanistan -  Incredulity & Contempt 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2041:  Michelle and Barack Obama  Open Consideration, Tolerance "Smile" and Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2042:  Syrian Government Defector  Nawaf al-Fares

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2191: Anne Hathaway's Impersonation of Katie Holmes on SNL - "Norming" Katie and Variations on a Theme

In this hilarious skit on Saturday Night Live, the beautiful Anne Hathaway gives her impersonation of the stunning Katie Holmes. Ms. Holmes is well known for her asymmetrical (social) "smile". This false-smile is, for her, normal - and makes interpretation of other nonverbals more challenging. With the exceptions of some suppressed smiles and the initial stages of some true smiles, the body language of a sincere smile (Duchenne) is always symmetrical. If a "smile" remains asymmetrical and it is not suppressed - it is either feigned or not a smile at all but contempt - which is often falsely interpreted as a coy or even "cute" smile. If you see such a false and dangerous "social smile" - whether in dating or in the business world - watch your back.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1916:  Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise are getting a Divorce -  What Body Language Metric Predicted This?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1921:  Who was More Dominant -  Tom Cruise or Katie Holmes?

Nonverbal Communication - Flirting and Romance Secret # 39: Affectionate vs. Non-Affectionate Hug

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

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

 

The following images are, of course, the real Katie Holmes shown in different examples of sincere and pseudo-smiles - as well as some with other emotional components:

Sincere Smile,
Mildly Suppressed

Sincere Smile,
Moderately Suppressed

Social Smile (Feigned)
Katie's Classic Asymmetric

Social Smile (Feigned) with
Mild Contempt Component

Social Smile (Feigned) with
Mild Fear Component

Social Smile (Feigned) with
Mild-Moderate Disgust Component

Social Smile (Feigned) with Moderate Contempt Component
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