Body Language Analysis No. 3399: Donald Trump, a Bald Eagle, and Fear - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The latest Donald Trump video is obviously not to his liking - and understandably so. Although far from Daniel Day-Lewis, the businessman-turned-politician normally has a somewhat better control of his facial expressions compared with most candidates. This video, however, shows us a very candid exception.

In August 2015, when the republican was posing with a bald eagle (named "Uncle Sam") for a Time magazine cover, Trump demonstrated several key, but non-flattering nonverbal faux pas.

In this split second we can see Trump invading the personal (intimate) space of Uncle Sam. Yet the raptor, it seems, is much quicker than the candidate.




Animals, of course, are no different that people when it comes to proxemic principles - if they don't know you well AND if you don't share a good rapport - they will NOT welcome you into their intimate space.

This morning during a phone interview on "Fox & Friends", Steve Doocy asked Mr. Trump, "Were you a little frightened by that bird?". Trump replied, "No, not really."

Note the expression on Mr. Trump - particularly his mouth. His sudden, tightening and lateral vectoring (with down-turned corners) of his mouth is a classic "mouth of fear".

A split second later we see Trump's "fear mouth" become even more extreme.










Body Language take-home points:

1. Only enter the personal/intimate space of another if:
    A. They know you, AND
    B.  You have good mutual-rapport

2. Although there are certainly human, cultural variations with regards to personal space (proxemics)
    tolerances, it is a deeply ingrained and highly physiologic phenomenon which is exhibited
    cross-species. 

3. Donald Trump Lied. He was indeed quite frightened by Uncle Sam the Bald Eagle.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3398: Orangutan Sees a Magic Trick - Bonding, Rapport and Laughter

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3392: Donald Trump to Republican Jewish Coalition

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3388: Donald Trump, Duplicitous Expressions and "politely" Removing a Protester

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3336: Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Deception and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3330: Vladimir Putin on 60 Minutes - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3277: John Kasich reflecting on Debate - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3224: Jordan Spieth, the U.S. Open, and a Classic Fear Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2:  Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3398: Orangutan Sees a Magic Trick - Bonding, Rapport and Laughter - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Laughing is not as much about humor as it is a bonding and rapport-building phenomenon. Moreover, when we lean toward or touch the other person during laughter, this effect is amplified (It's crucial however that before this leaning-in or touching takes place, there has to be some foundation of good rapport established).

Despite being behind glass this orangutan tried to touch the man who performed the "magic trick"
during his laughter. The orangutan knew the glass was there, yet he instinctively reached to touch him. This nonverbal behavior is deeply ingrained in our brains - and this is a beautiful example of just HOW deep it goes - for this body language is true for humans and other primates.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3397: Close Encounter - Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Ryan Gosling - SNL - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3028: Chris Rock's (and other Comedians) Body Language Trick that Gets You Laughing Easier

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2508: Anne Frank, Sincere Smiles and Emotional Comfort

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3229: Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers and a SNL Reunion - REALLY!?! - a Body Language Trick of Comedians

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3389: Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama meet in Paris - Body Language Faux Pas  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3387: Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, The Graham Norton Show and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3384: Donald Trump Repeats Controversial 9/11 Claims - Body Language Tells  
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3397: Close Encounter - Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Ryan Gosling - SNL - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong and Ryan Gosling starred in a recent Saturday Night Live skit as victims of an alien abduction. The three are being interviewed by NSA special agents played by Aidy Bryant and Bobby Moynihan.

If you haven't watched this video, you must - if nothing else, you will laugh your A** off.

There is however, another reason to view this video. Most comedians will employ a nonverbal trick which lowers the audience's laughter threshold - they speak/perform while maintaining a partial sincere smile (e.g., Chris Rock does this very effectively). As human beings, when we see another person, laughing, smiling, crying, angry, disgusted, etc., - we will tend to feel the same emotions they are feeling - and then express these on our faces and bodies. This is known as mirroring behavior - and it's engendered varying degrees by empathy. Not surprisingly, the neurons which facilitate this are known as "Mirror Neurons" aka "Empathy Neurons".

The comedians in this hilarious SNL skit are acting however - as opposed to performing a monologue. When they break character - while sincerely trying not to (failing at suppressing their laughter) - it makes the already funny script/good acting much funnier. Many people will even get a high level of laughter watching this repeatedly. It's also interesting to note that the one professional dramatic actor (Gosling) has the most difficulty "staying in character".

Another very valuable distinction here - is that those who can reliably initiate and maintain a partial (but sincere) smile, will find it to be a profoundly potent mood-elevator.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3396: President Obama's Oval Office Address - Dialing up The Alpha - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3393: Syed Rizwan Farook, Tashfeen Malik, San Bernardino Shooting and Predicting Violent Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3390: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Henry Cavill is portraying what emotions? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3377: Holly Holm's post-fight interview after defeating Ronda Rousey 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3365: Carly Fiorina on "The View" - Destroying Likability and Lowering Charisma 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3392: Donald Trump to Republican Jewish Coalition   

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3321: John Boehner Announces Resignation During Press Conference - A Classic Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3353: Melissa Benoist's Body Language regarding Jeb Bush's Supergirl "Hot" comment  

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3396: President Obama's Oval Office Address - Dialing up The Alpha - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Unlike his only other (two) Oval Office Addresses, last night Barack Obama was standing.

With the "Resolute Desk" behind him (rather than between him and his audience), the President (or anyone) will project and feel significantly more strength and resolve while standing. And even though this was a traditional speech (written in advance and read, as opposed to a press conference or debate), standing strongly engenders greater fluidity and confidence versus saying the same things while seated.

Standing has also been shown to temporarily increase testosterone (in both males and females) while also lowering cortisol (a "stress hormone"). This effect should not be trivialized or ignored. If you want to increase your assertiveness and look as well as feel more determined - take this one standing up.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3395: President Obama's Oval Office Address, ISIS and the Split-Finger Fastball - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3371: John Kasich at the Republican Debate 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3112: John Travolta Chin Holding and Face Touching Idina Menzel at the Oscars - What Makes it Extra-Creepy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3337: Barack Obama regarding Vladimir Putin on 60 Minutes 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3210: Matteo Renzi, Christine Lagarde, Barack Obama and Up-Regulating Alpha Emotions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3285: Donald Trump Dialing Up His Alpha - Body Language 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3046: Chris Pine Dials Up His Alpha - "Into the Woods" 
  
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3395: President Obama's Oval Office Address, ISIS and the Split-Finger Fastball - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

A reminder: 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.

Due to last week's San Bernardino mass shooting, and the subsequent discovery that the perpetrators had terrorist motives, President Obama gave an address from the Oval office tonight - only the third of his seven years in office.  

Beginning at 9:01, the President continues, " ... The strategy than we are using now - air strikes, special forces and working with local forces, who're fighting to regain control of their own country - that is how we'll achieve a more sustainable victory ..."

During 9:07 - 9:10, as Mr. Obama says, "... local forces, who're fighting to regain control of their own country ...", he displays a particular variety of nonverbal illustrator known as a "Split Finger Fastball". This body language signal acquires its name from the very similar configuration of the hand needed for a baseball player utilizing that specific pitch.

In the nonverbal world, the split finger fastball is a fantastic example of one type of an alpha-beta hybrid. Said another way, it projects alpha qualities (e.g., strength, assertiveness, a sense of urgency) without being too aggressive. To many "leaders" and others who use alpha body language signals have a strong tendency to OVER-USE them - and thus become hyper-alpha signals. Index finger pointing at an audience is a type of hyper-alpha nonverbal which is, unfortunately, rather common. Another one is the palm-down gesture, particularly with the fingers closed (e.g., Hitler's raised arm, palm-down salute). Hyper-alpha gestures will alienate all but your staunchest supporters.

Those who Have a multitude of alpha-beta hybrids in their repertoire place themselves at a profound advantage in establishing and building rapport.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3394: People react to being called beautiful - Body Language of a Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3393: Syed Rizwan Farook, Tashfeen Malik, San Bernardino Shooting and Predicting Violent Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3247: Barack Obama's Response to Question regarding Revoking Bill Cosby's Presidential Medal of Freedom 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3337: Barack Obama regarding Vladimir Putin on 60 Minutes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2588: Body Language Reaction to a Racially Prejudice Halloween Costume 

Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 222: Palms Down vs. Palms Up - Angela Merkel

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1933: Iran's Aggression and their Military's Salute - A Visual Metaphor of WWII & Nazi Fear 

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1212: Sudden Mouth Covering

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3394: People react to being called beautiful - Body Language of a Sincere Smile (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This is an incredible video by Shea Glover, a Chicago high school student. Although her initial "intentions were not to get a reaction out of people" - but rather to "film beauty" - it "turned into a social experiment halfway through".

Upon hearing Ms. Glover saying they were beautiful, most (but not all) of her subjects smiled - or smiled along with laughter.

In the above image (captured during 4:13) we see an excellent example of a sincere smile. Very few people can tell you the true components of a true smile of joy-happiness (even 99.7% of facial plastic surgeons) - yet it is watershed skill to accurately recognize this crucial emotion.

A sincere smile (Duchenne Smile) has the following characteristics:

1. Eyelids partially closed (always)
2. Momentary, concave-up, furrow in the lower eyelids (always, although with a partially suppressed
    sincere smile, it may just involve one lower eyelid)
3. Relaxed (not contracted) forehead muscles (always)
4. Upward vectored cheek muscles (vs. pulled laterally with a fake/social smile) thus resulting in
    the corners of the mouth also directed primarily upward
5. Teeth need not be showing (If they are showing, very little if any of the lower teeth should be
    visible. Exceptions here include: the beginning of/end of a bout of laughter [laughter may also
    be partially suppressed], camera angle, a taller observer [thus looking downward]). If a sizable
    portion of the lower teeth are seen outside of these exceptions, there is a significant element of
    insincerity present (It's important to note, that this does not mean that the person as a whole, is
    insincere - however in that specific moment, they are "pushing out" some feigned emotion.
    They are acting).


Thank you Shea Glover.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3393: Syed Rizwan Farook, Tashfeen Malik, San Bernardino Shooting and Predicting Violent Behavior - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3053: Giada De Laurentiis, Insincere Smiles and Divorce

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3368: Donald Trump, Insincerity and Starbucks

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3214: Chris Pratt, Jurassic World, Bad Acting and a Body Language Red Flag

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2474: Mayor Bob Filner's False Smile - Insincerity, Body Language and San Diego  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3074: A Body Language Tell of Bad Actors and ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3133: The Red Flag of Robert Durst's Body Language

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3393: Syed Rizwan Farook, Tashfeen Malik, San Bernardino Shooting and Predicting Violent Behavior - Body Language (PHOTOS)

 
Syed Rizwan Farook

Contempt (~60%) with Disgust (~40%)

This is a quite significant level of contempt/disgust
(~7 out of 10).

Do your best to avoid anyone with this, or a similar expression.

The partial eyelid closure, while alone may often be a nonspecific nonverbal sign (or even not related), when it coexists with contempt, disgust and/or anger - the partial eyelid closure acts as an amplifier.



Pictured here are Syed Rizwan Farook (above) and his wife, Tashfeen Malik. They are the alleged perpetrators in the recent (2 Dec. 2015) mass shooting in San Bernardino, California where fourteen people were killed and twenty-one were injured. Approximately four hours later, both alleged criminals were killed in a shoot-out with the police.

Those who commit terrorist activity, mass shootings and other acts of violence will nearly always display CHRONIC expressions of Disgust and Contempt (also often there is a component of anger present). Every normal, healthy human being will occasionally feel and thus manifest the strong emotions of disgust and contempt - so it's important to stress, the CHRONIC nature of this correlation.

It's also imperative to note that while certainly not everyone who makes these expressions FREQUENTLY will go on to commit violent criminal behavior - there is an extremely high correlation of significant problems in the controlling of their temper (Impulse Control Disorder).

Any training in threat assessment should always take heed of this crucial nonverbal warning signal.

Tashfeen Malik

Disgust expression
(~3 out of 10)
together with
a trace to mild level of Contempt
(~1 out of 10)




















See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3392: Donald Trump to Republican Jewish Coalition - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2231: A Common Facial Expression of Mass Killers - Using Body Language as a Threat Assessment Tool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3354: Rape Victim (13 year old girl) Demands to Make a Statement at the Sentencing of Perpetrator 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2954: Attempted robbery at gunpoint caught on GoPro 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2656: Threat Assessment during Robbery - Body Language of Perpetrator 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2976: Joseph Goebbels - Hitler's Propaganda Minister Showed this Chronic Display

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3392: Donald Trump to Republican Jewish Coalition - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

You may have heard of Donald Trump's multiple faux pas (many have called it anti-Semitic) during his speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition earlier today. During the above excerpt, the businessman-turned-politician shows us yet another profound body language tell (Watch the full speech here).

Trumps exemplifies a classic "Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression" (aka R2E2) during the 0:22 segment of the above video, as he says, "... couple ..." ("... It's okay - Yeah, I've been called on that a couple of times too ...").

The R2E2 is a nonverbal signal which may manifest very briefly (as a microexpression or near microexpression) but also for longer duration facial displays (in this example it last for about 0.25 seconds). The vast majority of body language beginners will invariably confuse this with and falsely lump the R2E2 together with that of disgust - however they have completely different meanings (How do you differentiate between these two very similar expressions?).

It's important to stress that every single emotionally-healthy person makes the R2E2 expression once in a while, however when it IS seen, and particularly when it's seen frequently, you should always make the following distinctions:

• Does the person believe what they, themselves are saying?
• What's the over-all feeling of sincerity (Sincerity Quotient) in this moment? 
• What do I feel is their predominant emotion in this moment?
• What is my gut feeling of this person's motive(s) in this moment?
• Why are they putting an extra effort in trying to convince me of something?
• What, specifically, are they trying to convince me of?
• Are they feigning a baring of their "Achilles Heel" and if so, what is it? Why?

Although it's not the case 100% of the time, very often those displaying the R2E2 are trying to rationalize. Moreover much of the time they're trying to convince you of something too - along with their psyche. They very much want you to be a "Co-Rationalizer". Tread carefully when you see the R2E2 - for it's very often used when people are trying too hard to gain your trust, rapport and empathy. 

Remember - every human being uses the R2E2 on occasion. Professionals who tend to use the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression excessively include: physicians, sales professionals, politicians, reporters, law enforcement and attorneys.

Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression (R2E2) captured during 0:22

Close-up of above R2E2














See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3391: Tense Exchange Between Mike Allen and Chicago Mayor Emanuel - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3336: Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Deception and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3326: Donald Trump on 60 Minutes - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3293: Why is Donald Trump a Better Liar than Most Politicians? - Body Language  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3250: Donald Trump regarding John McCain: "He's no hero" - Body Language Tells us what he really thinks 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3247: Barack Obama's Response to Question regarding Revoking Bill Cosby's Presidential Medal of Freedom - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3263: Barack Obama on Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" - The Sarcastic Bobble Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2748: Tatia Pilieva's Brilliant Video "First Kiss" - Body Language of Romance and Affection 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3391: Tense Exchange Between Mike Allen and Chicago Mayor Emanuel - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel had a tense exchange earlier today with Politico's Mike Allen when Allen revealed Emanuel's family vacation plans to Cuba which the Mayor considered private.

From a body language perspective, this provides us with a good number of nonverbal tells indicative of moderate (and higher) levels of anger - several of which are discussed below.





At 1:43, Note Emanuel's Lips - they are thinned out and narrow. They are also configured in a highly characteristic
horizontal configuration. 









Although his nostrils are flared in the above image, a second later (1:44), the flaring is more pronounced.








It's also important to notice the dynamics of his "mustache area" (the region above the upper lip and below the nose) - for here it has grown more tense.





During 1:45, we can see Mayor Emanuel's chin jut forward. Moreover, the tension has also increased in his lower eyelids 








See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3390: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Henry Cavill is portraying what emotions?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1858: What the Eyes Do - Transitioning from Mild to Severe Anger

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1863: Sharapova's Thin Lips of Anger

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3287: Hillary Clinton, Email Servers and Crisis Management

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3097: Buddies at the Grammys? What Does Kanye West REALLY Think of Taylor Swift? Body Language Tells 

Romance, Flirting & Dating Body Language Secret No. 1893: Nonverbal Communication of the Facial Platter 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3355: Spin the Microphone on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show - Gwen Stefani is very attracted to Blake Shelton

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us .... 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3390: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Henry Cavill is portraying what emotions? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Henry Cavill as Superman along with Ben Affleck as Batman - are both shown in this brief trailer-teaser. The Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer shows Superman entering a prison of sorts where along with others, Batman is chained.

The expression on Cavill-Superman's face is characteristic of two primary and often overlapping emotions.

In this moment there is a mixture of roughly 60% anger and 40% disgust. Of course these are qualitative estimates.













In this moment a few seconds later, Cavill-Superman is displaying approximately 70% disgust and 30% anger.









While Cavill is certainly not Superman, making this expression can truly engender the very human feeling of disgust, where a moment before it was only an actor's intention.

Human beings commit many acts of violence when they are reactionary and angry - for moments, hours and days. Both disgust and contempt also tend to be relatively short-lived. Yet when violent behavior and maliciousness are perpetrated over longer time periods (e.g., months, years, etc.), there is almost always a primary emotional driver of CHRONIC disgust and/or contempt - while anger takes on a smaller role.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3389: Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama meet in Paris - Body Language Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2435: Amy Adams, Henry Cavill & Russell Crowe on Graham Norton - Four Different Sitting Positions - Different Body Language Meanings 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3232: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner announce Divorce - a Body Language Signal of Diminishing Affection  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3323: Matt Damon on Graham Norton reflecting on Winning Oscar - Blended Expressions 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2603: Sarah Palin's Body Language - She Feels Disgust toward Pope Francis and ... She Tells a Fib 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3262: Donald Trump, Breast Pumping and Donald's "That's Disgusting" - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3276: Word Blurt with Kristen Stewart & Jimmy Fallon - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2462: San Diego Mayor Bob Filner - Sexual Harassment, Body Language and Foreheads  


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