Body Language & Emotional Intelligence

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2221:
How NOT to Pose if You Want to Project Confidence -
Heisman Body Language

While this is possibly an example of Nonverbal Mirroring, Johnny Manziel, Manti Te'o and Collin Klein were almost surely told to deliberately stand in this pose. Whether mirrored or deliberate, hands clasped over the lower abdominal region (known as the "fig leaf" or "genital guarding") is, in most settings a signal of low confidence. It can also signal reverence or respect - such as in a religious ceremony or in the presence of a dignitary, etc. And while these men have great respect for the Heisman Award and their nominations, this is a body language position which sends message of non-engagement, low confidence, demure and beta behavior. In this setting, they would have been much better advised to stand with their hands loosely clasped behind their backs (with feet a shoulder's width apart) - which projects the alpha emotions of confidence, assertiveness and strength.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2220:
Harry Reid on Jim DeMint's Retirement -
A Body Language Tell of Insincerity

In this video, Harry Reid (D-NV) comments on Jim DeMint's (R-SC) recent announcement of his intention to retire from the U.S. Senate. At two times the Senate Majority Leader comments on "believe" & "belief" which are contradicted by his body language. At 0:35, when Reid says, "...I personally believe", he gestures towards his sternum or manubrium (towards his heart) but never touches it. A few seconds later, at 0:36 - 0:38, he displays a similar nonverbal when he says, "...He does this out of a sense of real belief". In this second gesture, Senator Reid touches only with his fingertips. If these feelings of "belief" (the first Reid's own, the second which is implied empathy for DeMint) were sincere, we would have seen in both circumstances, a touching with the whole palm of the hand - aka a "Palmar Touch". This insincere body language signal is, of course, seen just as commonly in all political parties.

In this scenario a Palmar Touch would signify sincerity and empathy. Clustered with other nonverbals (not seen in or applicable to this context), it can also indicate affection, ownership and belonging.

It is intriguing to note that, from a paralanguage standpoint, the word "personally" in Reid's first statement, and "real" in the second, are not necessary if the feelings were sincere. They are a epiphenomena of compensatory behavior and also betray his true emotional tone.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2216: Senator Jim DeMint's Body Language - Lip Purse, Suppressed Smile, Duping Delight & Retiring Early

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1900: Palmar Touch of another Person, an Animal or Object

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1866: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth are Engaged - An Affection-Love Sincerity Signal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2183: Barack & Michelle Obama's Tweet - The Palmar Touch, Body Language and an Affectionate Hug

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2143: Meyers and Bailey Leonard - The Illini, The Marine & The Reunion - Emotional Processing & Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2207: Body Language, Sincerity and Mahmoud Abbas United Nations grants Palestine "Nonmember Observer State"

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2218:
Body Language Detection of Tendency towards
Sexual Infidelity - Women have Superior Skills vs. Men
Yet Still Predict this Behavior Poorly

In research just published in the Journal Biological Letters, showed that a "Women's ratings of unfaithfulness showed small-moderate, significant correlations with measures of actual infidelity," while the men tested demonstrated results no better than chance. Some of the physical characteristics that cued women into the tendency to cheat include wide, angular jaws, a squared chin and a prominent brow. Slow down though - there are many men with these features who are faithful and also many men with weak, non-prominent jaws who cheat like the rats they resemble.

Short of major plastic surgery, such anatomical features cannot be changed of course. Yet nonverbal communication is constantly in a state of flux and reflect the dynamics of the moment and over time the personality - and are independent of anatomic idiosyncrasies. It's very important to note, that even though women are superior to men when it comes to detecting potential for infidelity, they still have a low batting average. Knowing body language signals however, is a much more reliable method for detecting duplicity.

Can you spot infidelity? Are you sure?

Do you suppose Hillary Clinton or Marianne Ginther Gingrich thought they could spot this behavior?

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2216:
Senator Jim DeMint's Body Language -
Lip Purse, Suppressed Smile, Duping Delight & Retiring Early

Jim DeMint of South Carolina announced his retirement today - less than two years into his second Senate term. The Republican - a Tea Party favorite, has accepted the top position at the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation.

In the above image, Senator DeMint displays a cluster of several body language-facial displays. Though he shows no teeth, his smile is a sincere one. True Joy is present. Notable here is his bilateral partially closed eyelids with the concave-up furrows present in each lower lid. These particular eyelid findings are absolutely required for the smile to be sincere (along with his non-contracted, relaxed forehead). And yet, this smile is not so "cut-and-dry".

The South Carolinian's mouth is configured in what is known as a "Lip Purse". In short, a lip purse, is a signal of disagreement. Not just any disagreement though - a clandestine one. When this highly specific nonverbal is seen, the verbal message is often muted and softened compared to what is being felt & thought. Indeed, there may even be complete verbal agreement. When the lip purse is displayed though - there is either partial or full disagreement in the mind. The words are a ruse. The body language is where your attention should be.

Simultaneously, this lip purse acts to contribute to a "Suppressed Smile" appearance - though not a typical one.

A lip purse is always made by someone who holds a relative alpha position. He or she, republican or democrat, right or wrong - believes, at least at for the moment, that they are holding the cards and that their plan will succeed and they have the means to make it work. They are telling you one thing, but be prepared - at least in part - for something(s) else.

So while Senator DeMint's smile is sincere in the above photo - and he is in no doubt joyful here - his joy is not your joy. Thus, this particular eye expression in combination with the lip purse is a variation of a Duping Delight (Ekman) expression.

See also:

Nonverbal Communications Analysis # 1715: Jay Carney's Lip Purse Bin Laden is Dead & General Motors is Alive

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1055: The Very Subtle Lip Purse

Negotiation Secret # 9a : Nancy's Pelosi's Not-so-Subtle Lip Purse

Negotiation Secret # 9b : Lip Pursing Redux- Condoleezza Rice

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2072: Jay Carney's Lip Purse while NOT commenting on Mitt Romney's Visits to the U.K., Israel and Poland

Negotiation Secret # 140: Duping Delight Microexpression

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication # Analysis 1492: Ben Bernanke's Duping Delight & Partial Emblematic Slip

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 # 2050: George Zimmerman's Interview on Fox - Microexpression of Contempt and Duping Delight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2188: Paula Broadwell on Petraeus Relationship - Body Language of Prolonged Blink, Hard Swallow and More Duping Delight

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2215:
Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio Joke and Hint regarding the
2016 Presidential Race -
"Tongue-in-Cheek" Body Language

In the above video, former U.S. Vice Presidential Candidate, Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) alludes to the 2016 Presidential Race. Mr. Ryan's body language exemplifies several "Tongue-in-Cheek" displays at 0:19 (subtle), 0:20 - 0:21 (overt) and again at 0:23 (difficult to see).

The Tongue-in-Cheek nonverbal in this body language context indicates a self-righteousness or smug emotional tone. It is a body language seen when a person, in a specific context, views them self as an Alpha. And although not the case here, depending on the other nonverbals and parlanguage with which it is clustered - it can also be indicative of Telling a lie, "I just won the game" or "I gotcha". In these settings it can be considered a form of "duping delight". Depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered, the tongue-in-cheek can have other meanings, such as part of a sexual attraction display cluster or occasionally as a pacifying anxiety indicator. Can you tell the difference? Are you sure?

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2085: Dina Eastwood - Tongue-in-Cheek Variant

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2093: Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye - Matt Lauer's Classic "Tongue-in-Cheek" and Duplicitous Smile

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1153: President Obama's Tongue in Cheek

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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 # 2212:
Barack Obama warns Bashar al-Assad,
A Body Language Signal of Conviction

Bashar al-Assad has recently directed the moving and mixing of chemical weapons in what is apparently a readying for their use. President Obama, NATO's Secretary-General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen and other leaders, have warned the Syrian President against using these weapons of mass destruction. During the 0:18 - 0:23 segment of the above video, as Barack Obama says, ".... I want to make it absolutely clear to Assad and those under his command ...." and again when saying, ".... if you make the tragic mistake of using these weapons ...." (0:33 - 0:36), he can be seen using the "Finger-up" nonverbal illustrator when warning al-Assad. The use of this specific body language is a very reliable indicator that its user (here Obama) has a high level of conviction and belief to his words. In all settings, when this body language gesture is seen - know that its user means action. This is not an empty threat.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1859: Prince William is Angry at the Queen's Jubilee

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2168: John Sununu's Comments regarding Colin Powell's Endorsement of Barack Obama - Anger, Anxiety and Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2152: Second Presidential Debate - 16 October 2012 - Barack Obama's Duping Delight - Benghazi, Libya Attack was an "Act of Terror" - Alpha, Beta, Confidence & Acquiescence ...

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 813: Ask Osama Bin Laden about Appeasement

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

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Monday, December 3, 2012

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2211:
David Beckham, Body Language signals of
Honest Surprise, Emotional Processing and Sincerity

In this video from earlier this year at the London Summer Olympics, David Beckham (who just played his last match with the LA Galaxy helping them win the 2012 MLS Cup) provokes shows some great body language examples of several primary emotions.

David Beckham is surprising people in a photo booth. True surprise is very evanescent. The full expression is thus relatively rarely captured in an image. Freeze frame at 1:08. The woman in the middle exemplifies the expression of surprise fully. Her very widely opened eyes along with her equally widely opened and vertically elongated oval-shaped mouth are highly characteristic of sincere surprise. Rapid mouth covering seen here as well is also a nonverbal signal of surprise as well as emotionally processing. The intellectual mind knows something has happened - yet the emotional mind is in a sort of momentary denial and playing catch up. When you see this occur rapidly after the wide mouth and eye opening - it's a telltale sign of sincerity and sometimes empathy.

The young boy and his mother towards the beginning of the video show addition signals of sincerity with a full palm contact touching of the sternum (0:26 - 0:30) and the left chest (0:35 - 0:39). When the palm makes contact in this context - it signals "heart felt" sincerity. Many people feign this emotion with the nonverbal MAP (manipulator, adaptor, pacifier) of finger-tip only contact or unwittingly touching the right side of the chest - where they are "heart-less".

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1914: Sincere Surprise - Often Faked & Difficult to Capture Spain Beats Portugal in Euro 2012

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

Leadership Secret # 221: Spontaneous Mouth Covering & Empathy - Hillary Clinton's Body Language during Osama Bin Laden raid.

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1212: Sudden Mouth Covering

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2096: Canadian Tenors, Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen) and Celine Dion

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1900: Palmar Touch of another Person, an Animal or Object

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1866: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth are Engaged - An Affection-Love Sincerity Signal

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Sunday, December 2, 2012

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2210:
Body Language Signaling of an Attempt to Control Emotional Escalation & Display - The Inward Lip Roll

This is a touching video segment showing firefighters from Louisiana returning the favor they received seven years ago after Hurricane Katrina - now helping out their colleagues in New York after Hurricane Sandy.

An "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) is a nonverbal signal of anxiety. More specifically it shows us that the psyche is trying to prevent the escalation and display of strong emotions - usually negative ones. Here, the normally stoic N.Y. firefighter is confessing his brotherly-love and sincere, deep-felt thanks to his Cajun comrades. Although partially obscured by his mustache, an ILR can be seen at 1:26-1:28, 1:29 and again at 1:31-1:32. Here there is some emotional dissonance present - a "good cry" or tearing-up is being partially suppressed.

See also:

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 377: Inward Lip Roll with a Bitter Smile

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

Negotiation Secret # 146: Anthony Weiner's Inward Lip Roll

Negotiation Secret # 45: Faith Hill's Inward Lip Roll

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1709: Peyton Manning's Agent Does Not Fully Believe

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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Nonverbal Communication Analysis-Research # 2209:
A Primary Reason Why Children are Bitten By Dogs -
Kids Not Recognizing Canine Body Language

Nonverbal communication routinely crosses between species. Animal lovers know this from a young age. However a recent study in the "Journal of Nursing, Social Studies and Public Health" illuminates a primary reason for dog bites in youth - children not accurately understanding a dog's body language. The research, out of the University of South Bohemia in the Czech Republic, goes on to quantify the accurate framing of dogs' different emotional states at surprisingly very low rates by elementary school children as follows:

Joy 21%
Submission 10%
Attack 7%
Threat 8%
Fear 34%
Friendliness 21%

Children also have a false sense of security when it comes to their ability to control a dog's behavior - believing that their family pet obeys them more than their parents. This overconfidence was found to be more pronounced in boys, who were also less accurate than girls at properly identifying dogs' emotions. In the 5 to 9 year age group, boys are bitten twice as much as girls.

Intriguingly, people who grow up around animals, particularly dogs and horses, acquire an increased ability to accurately interpret other humans' body language once they reach adulthood and throughout the remainder of their lives.

This website serves as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. 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.

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