Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2879: Barack Obama, Governor Rick Perry and the Crisis at the Southern Border (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Barack Obama visited Texas today to address the crisis at the border as well as the larger issue of overall immigration reform. President Obama met with Governor Rick Perry - since of course this problem puts a burden on the state he governs.

During the 1:54 - 1:56 segment in the above video (captured in images below), President Obama scratches five times behind his left ear (in such a scenario, people nearly always scratch/rub on the bony prominence there called the mastoid process) with his left index finger (forefinger). Many people falsely believe this signal as a nonverbal indicator of deception - yet it's not. However this behind the ear scratch is a very reliable indicator of anxiety.

As odd it may sound to some, scratching/rubbing/touching anywhere on the external ear itself (pinna) such as the earlobe or twisting a finger in the external ear canal (external auditory meatus) or just in front of or just below the ear in concert with a declarative statement or in when answering a question - is consistent with a lie. The President is not lying here though.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2878: Prince Fielder on ESPN Cover - Nude but What Emotion?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2848: Iliza Shlesinger, Hair Adjust Behind Ear, Dialing Up Your Alpha & Comedy - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2621: Matt Smith (11th Incarnation of 'Dr. Who'), Anxiety and American Psycho

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2626: Rashida Jones's Anxiety regarding YouTube Awards on Jimmy Fallon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2281:  Inaugural Luncheon Anxiety  Barack Obama's Body Language  Michelle's Mirroring

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2878: Prince Fielder on ESPN Cover - Nude but What Emotion? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Prince Fielder, the Texas Rangers' first baseman, appeared on the cover of ESPN today. In keeping with the sports magazine's body issue - he posed nude. Yet what emotion was on his face?

Many would misidentify his expression for a slight smile or even anger - yet it is neither. Fielder's nonverbal is contempt. There may be also an element of disgust present however the oblique angle of this image makes it impossible to discern.

How would you define the emotion of contempt (most people can't)? Remarkably, the display of contempt by your spouse/partner is the most reliable predictor of divorce/breakup. How many times in the past week did you misidentify this very telling and destructive emotion?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2877: Zac Efron and Michelle Rodriguez Dating - Thumbs Forward Arms Akimbo

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2769: Smiling Out of Context in a Mass Shooter - T.J. Lane's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2798: Donald Sterling, Prejudice and Body Language of Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2312:  Bruce Willis' Body Language -  Contempt vs. Suppressed Smile vs.  Pseudo Smile vs. Sincere Smile





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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2877: Zac Efron and Michelle Rodriguez Dating - Thumbs Forward Arms Akimbo (PHOTOS)

Zac Efron and Michelle Rodriguez are seen here on a sail boat while vacationing off the coast of Sardinia, Italy. After several weeks of rumors, the Hollywood couple have confirmed they are dating.

In the image above, Efron is subconsciously showing us several distinct nonverbal signals. The most obvious one is his "Arms Akimbo" configuration - however he is displaying a variety less common in men - with his thumbs forward and fingers backward.

Thumbs forward arms akimbo signals some assertiveness - yet significantly less so compared to the more common fingers forward variation (thus not highly alpha and not highly beta - but what is known as an "alpha-beta hybrid"). It signifies an elevated level of emotional support for those in whom one's attention is directed - as well as that of a quizzical mindset. A person displaying a thumbs forward arms akimbo always has an elevated level of emotional comfort. Thus if you note a person changing from a thumbs forward to a fingers forward akimbo stance - this is a very reliable signifier that their emotional comfort has dropped (much like a deer raising its tail when it goes to a higher level of alertness). This significant (while subtle to some) shift in hand-arm position will be virtually always accompanied by elevated facial anxiety indicators (can you name some?).

From a body language nomenclature perspective, the thumbs forward arms akimbo is classified both a subtle "emblem" as well as a nonverbal "MAP" (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier).

What other nonverbal sexual attraction signals (and others) do you see in this image?

What additional beta signals? What alpha signs?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2876: President Obama on Key Bridge regarding John Boehner's Lawsuit - "So Sue Me"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2034:  Even Physicists have Body Language -  Beta behavior at Higgs Boson Conference

Dating & Romance Secret #227:  Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake - Are You Comfortable Around Your Ex?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2174:  President Obama, Hurricane Sandy,  Body Language and Thumbs Backwards Arms Akimbo

Negotiation Secret # 89:  Opposite Facing Arms Akimbo

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2577: Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe - Alpha and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2749: President Obama, Ukraine's Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2827: Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy - She was the Alpha, He was the Beta 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2876: President Obama on Key Bridge regarding John Boehner's Lawsuit - "So Sue Me" - (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last week Barack Obama stood next to the Key Bridge and taunted Republicans. In response to John Boehner's lawsuit, the President said, " .... so sue me! ..."

As usual, any person even briefly speaking regarding any emotional subject gives up a lot of body language tells - and here Mr. Obama is no exception.

Below is a partial nonverbal analysis of one particular signal.

" ... Boehner sued me for this; and I told him, 'I'd rather do things with you - pass some laws - make sure the Highway Trust Fund is funded so we don't lay off hundreds of thousands of workers'; it's not that hard. [tongue in cheek during 1:57-2:00] Middle class families can't wait for republicans in congress to do stuff ...."



The word "hot" is an example of a homonym; thus a woman may be described as "hot", ISIS is a "hot" topic, it's "hot" out in Phoenix, or a particular Peperoncini is "hot" - all have different meanings. Yet we have no difficulty discerning these meanings here because of the other words accompanying them in their respective sentences. Unbeknownst to many - there are multitudes of nonverbal homonyms as well. So be careful to never interpret a body language signal in isolation.

Depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered, a "Tongue in Cheek" has several possible meanings. It can indicate "I just won", "I gotcha", sadness/grief, anger, deception, and even (but certainly not the meaning in this example) a projection of sexuality. Which of the other nonverbals seen clustered here in this video give President's tongue in cheek an accurate meaning within this context?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication 2875: Eugenie Bouchard, Wimbledon and Tongues - Body Language Nuance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2796: Olivia Wilde, Butter, Jon Stewart and the Tongue in Cheek - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2352:  Mila Kunis' Tongue in Cheek  Graham Norton Part II

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2869: Barack Obama's Executive Action on Immigration Reform, The Rose Garden 30 June 2014 - Sincere or Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2843: Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin in Normandy

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2875: Eugenie Bouchard, Wimbledon and Tongues - Body Language Nuance (PHOTOS)

Congratulations to Eugenie Bouchard just became the first Canadian, woman or man, to reach the finals of a Grand-Slam singles. Earlier today she lost 6-3, 6-0 to Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon.

These two images of Ms. Bouchard are of course similar - yet different. It is a fundamental premise when interpreting body language, signals must not be evaluated in isolation.

When the tongue is projected straight out in what is commonly termed a tongue jut (although not always visible as in the image above, it is usually gently pressed on by the teeth) and depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered - can indicate, "I've been bad", "I've been foolish", "I just got away with something", "I got caught" as well as a form of a self-depreciation/humility expression and even excitement. 

A tongue out to the side will indicate intense focus and concentration. Very often there is an intent that has a physical component about which is to be carried through upon. In a business-negotiation this can be seen in the context of a disparity between what is said and what is (clandestinely) intended.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2874: Truck Driver Calls Out Cop for Speeding and Talking on Cell Phone

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2576: Chris Brown's Body Language - a Signal of Psyche's Suppressing Emotions ... and Anger and ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2547: Amanda Knox's ex-Boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, Piers Morgan Interview, Body Language Tells and Avoiding the Othello Error

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2665: Nick Saban's "Tongue in Cheek" Body Language - What Does It Mean? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2796: Olivia Wilde, Butter, Jon Stewart and the Tongue in Cheek - Body Language 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2874: Truck Driver Calls Out Cop for Speeding and Talking on Cell Phone (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

A few days ago an Illinois State Trooper pulled over a truck driver for unlawful use of his horn - and clearly state that he's going to get a ticker for doing so (beginning at 1:06). Most of this encounter with the police officer is caught on video (which the driver has posted on YouTube and it's gone viral).

Early in the encounter the Trucker informs the officer that he is videoing the event (1:11) - and the officer says he's also doing so. Below is a partial body language analysis of the state trooper.

Emotional tone at 2:25, just as he says, "... I looked at your record ....", the officer displays a classic nonverbal expression of fear - both in the mouth and on his neck.

Expression at 2:31 just after he says, " .... so I didn't write you a ticket ..."

More "mouth of fear" and "neck of fear". Also his eyes are congruent with this emotion as his lids are opened wider.

At 2:35 he displays more fear, just after he says, "... I didn't want to - I didn't want to hurt your record ..."

A classic microexpression of regret is displayed at 2:36

At 3:06 another great example of a fear mouth is seen as he says, "... you saw me speeding ..."

3:25 an pout-agreement expression highly consistent with beta emotional tone and acquiescence.












This officer was in fear that he said something wrong or did something wrong and that it was captured on video. It is possible that he also has trepidation regarding his own internal affairs department or his relationship with them.

The trooper also has multiple examples of statement analysis consistent with his belief that his conduct was in error. How many did you note? Statement analysis (language analysis) coupled with experienced body language analysis are extremely reliable tools when evaluating for truth vs. deception and sincerity vs. insincerity. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2873: Raffaele Sollecito, Amanda Knox and Meredith Kercher - Raffaele's Press Conference - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2486:  Katie Holmes on David Letterman and the  "Social Etiquette Fear Face"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2457:  Surfer Gets Knocked Unconscious by Whale  Body Language Basics from Bondi Beach

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2873: Raffaele Sollecito, Amanda Knox and Meredith Kercher - Raffaele's Press Conference - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Two days ago Raffaele Sollecito gave a press conference in which he and his attorney (Giulia Bongiorno) legally distanced himself from Amanda Knox for his alleged participation in the murder of Meredith Kercher. Beginning at 0:44, Bongiorno begins, "It is clear that Sollecito, reading the verdict, takes note of the fact that the court of appeal found that there was something of a lie over Amanda's whereabouts. Rafaele, as you'll all remember, has maintained that he spent the night with Amanda - the night. That doesn't include the earlier part of the evening, as he said." As Bongiorno is speaking and throughout the seven seconds described below, Sollecito displays rapidly oscillating and specific facial nonverbals.

During 0:51 - 0:52 Sollecito displays a contempt-disgust expression.

At 0:53- 0:54, Raffaele's mouth configures to form an "Inward Lip Roll". This is the psyche's attempt at suppressing an escalation of an inward crescendo as well as an outward manifestation of emotions as they move (often rapidly) from baseline.

At 0:54, Sollecito briefly displays a more pronounced disgust-contempt expression.

 Another inward lip roll at 0:57

At 0:58 a primary (and more mild) contempt expression











In this limited context, we cannot say whether Raffaele Sollecito felt contempt and disgust at what he is perceiving to be a failure of the legal process vs. the idea of distancing himself from Amanda Knox vs. Amanda herself vs. his own Lawyer vs. towards members of the press, etc. But we can say with absolute certainty that he strongly felt these emotions.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2872: Beyoncé Changes Lyrics of "Resentment", Calls Out Jay Z for Cheating

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1706: Amanda Knox Interview after Guilty Verdict

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2805: Amanda Knox, Meredith Kercher and the Othello Error

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2707: Amanda Knox's Guilty Verdict - Italian Jurors' Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2547: Amanda Knox's ex-Boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, Piers Morgan Interview and Avoiding the Othello Error  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2724: Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan Twenty Years Later



Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2811: Jason and David Benham are Dropped from HGTV - Body Language of Subtle Contempt, Anger & Disgust

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2872: Beyoncé Changes Lyrics of "Resentment", Calls Out Jay Z for Cheating - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last Saturday (28 June 2014) in Cincinnati, Ohio during a concert appearance in her "On The Run" Tour, Beyoncé called out Jay Z for cheating. She changed the lyrics in her song, "Resentment" in two places - one of which is detailed below. She is of course a seasoned performer and can ad lib as well as anyone - yet she is still human. Ms. Knowles displayed significant nonverbal signals of anxiety about changing these lyrics - not due to any traditional performance anxiety - but because she knew she was now making her private life public.

Note: Since the original writing of this post, the source video has since been deleted from YouTube.

Beyoncé changed the line "I'll always remember feeling like I was no good / Like I couldn't do it for you like your mistress could" to "I'll always remember feeling like I was no good / Like I couldn't do it for you like that wack bitch could."

Here we see a "Hair Adjust Behind Ear" nonverbal as Beyoncé sings,
"... But I'm much too full of resentment ..." during 2:18 - 2:19

 2:26 - another hair adjust

And once again (third time in 11 seconds and the only time during the song):

"I'll always remember feeling like I was no good [hair adjust behind ear with opposite arm at 2:30] Like I couldn't do it for you like that wack bitch could."

What is the significance of reaching across the face in this context?






Hair adjusting near and in back of the ears (HABE) is a common anxiety tell - yet more specifically it shows the anxiety within the context of "dialing up one's alpha". That is to say, when this nonverbal is displayed it clearly shows a person (more common in women than in men) is trying to be more assertive and gather a bit of courage to up-regulate their alpha qualities. It doesn't indicate that the person is a beta personality - simply they are momentarily trying to be more dominant. This is exactly what Beyoncé is doing here in telling the World of her husband's of infidelity.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2871: Kate Middleton, Andy Murray and Wimbledon - Body Language of Empathy-Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2848: Iliza Shlesinger, Hair Adjust Behind Ear, Dialing Up Your Alpha & Comedy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2177:  "I'm Tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney" -  We're all Abigael Evans  Dialing up her Alpha

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1411:  Dialing Up Her Alpha -  Dana Perino

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2702: Barack Obama - Anxiety and Non-engagement; Body Language Signals

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2493:  Jewel in Disguise at Karaoke Bar,  Body Language Cues to Lack of Nervousness  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2831: "Walking Contest", Anxiety, Mirroring and False Intimacy 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2871: Kate Middleton, Andy Murray and Wimbledon - Body Language of Empathy-Fear (PHOTOS)

Kate Middleton was in attendance at Wimbledon earlier today along with Prince William. Unfortunately the royal couple did not like what they saw. Andy Murray, the defending Champion faced Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals and came up short, 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-2. 

This image of Kate is a great body language example of two emotions blended in one facial expression. Do you know which two?

The Duchess of Cambridge's neck muscles (platysma and sternocleidomastoids) are tightened in what is known as "The Neck of Fear" (with a clenched and retracted jaw [mandible]). Her mouth also has signals of fear - as the corners are vectored backwards and also somewhat downward. This exposes the bottom teeth. There is a variation in this "Fear Mouth" however; with more elevated levels of fear - primarily felt for oneself or those very emotionally close to you - the bottom teeth are the primary ones being uncovered. Yet here Catherine's upper teeth have considerable exposure. Now direct your attention to her central forehead. The periphery of her forehead is relaxed while the central portion is contracted (CFC). Her inner (medial) eyebrows are also raised. This configuration (as long as the mouth is congruent) indicates pain - either physical or emotional pain. The pain may be being experienced directly or secondarily for another person(s) and/or animal(s) via empathy. There is a very important caveat however - as alluded to, the simultaneous mouth expression must parallel these emotions - and on this occasion Kate's mouth and central forehead are certainly in agreement.

The Duchess feels emotional pain and empathy for Andy Murray. She is in emotional pain when he loses a game, set or match. She likes Murray and has empathy for him. If, however, this were a loss of greater consequence - or say it were Pippa, William or someday George in a tennis match - all things being equal, we would see greater fear and thus more bottom teeth and less top teeth. This bottom-to-top teeth exposure ration is an outstanding (and oft overlooked) way to quantify fear (even empathy-fear) nonverbally.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2494:  Prince William Interview on Fatherhood and Baby George Body Language Tells 

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 392:  Christmas Cheer - Kate Middleton's and Prince William's Suppressed Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2870: Cate Blanchett and a Subtle Body Language Signal of Insincere Laughter


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2870: Cate Blanchett and a Subtle Body Language Signal of Insincere Laughter (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

She is one the most gifted actors of her generation. Here Lesley Stahl interviews Cate Blanchett on "60 Minutes". And although she is amazingly talented, when being herself .... and not Queen Elizabeth I, Bob Dylan or Galadriel - she gives away an amazing amount of nonverbal tells (like the rest of us).

This image, captured during 11:40, shows Cate's jaw jutting forward during a laugh. This is a strong and reliable body language signal that Ms. Blanchett was not sincere in her laughter. She was feeling anger her and was camouflaging it and dampening it with laughter.

This is a particularly important principle and it's rarely discussed in the nonverbal literature. Very often though - one form of body language is used to disguise another. Most people - particularly in the context of an interview which such an amazing actress - would never doubt Cate's laughter or question her true feelings.  The more adept you are at sussing out these signals, the less you will suffer in business and your personal life.


 
A few seconds earlier (beginning at 11:32), Lesley Stahl says, "You're 44 years-old."

Blanchett responds, "Am I? We don't need to discuss that, we don't need to rub that in ...."

At three times during this statement we also saw the jaw jut displayed (coincident with words highlighted in red), Cate's chin juts forward.

Loads of other body language signals are leaked by Ms. Blanchett. Did the Oscar winning actress fool you?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2869: Barack Obama's Executive Action on Immigration Reform, The Rose Garden 30 June 2014 - Sincere or Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2039:  Fight Outside Florida Courtroom -  Jaw Jut Prior to Violence

Negotiation Secret # 47:  Jaw Jut and Mid-face Tightening - Pete Carroll 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2838: Robert De Niro, Graham Norton and Acting Advice - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2824: Michael Jace ("The Shield" Actor) Arrested for Alleged Murder of His Wife - Body Language Tells

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