Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2080: Ragù Commercial - 10 year old Boy Walks in on Parents

This commercial for Ragù Spaghetti Sauce is utterly hilarious - the first time I saw it (during a break in the Olympic coverage Sunday night) - I laughed for what seemed like five minutes. Makes me wonder what they told the young actor to get him to make those facial expressions. But as funny as they are - his nonverbals are not as accurate as they could be ...

During the 0:11 - 0:16 segment, just after "Junior" sees Mommy & Daddy, the facial expression the director is trying to achieve is one of "Surprise-Shock". His eye lids are open mildly-to-moderately wider than normal, however they should be opened a bit wider and most certainly would be at such a Sea-change moment in the young and naive.

During this same segment, the boy's mouth should be opened very wide - in a vertically-elongated oval. At such moments of surprise-shock, it would also be very typical for one or both hands to rapidly reach up and cover the mouth.

A few seconds later (0:19 - 0:20), the shocked child goes into a semi-fear expression with a bit of pain-empathy mixed in (This transition to another emotion IS accurate - as surprise (very rapidly) and surprise-shock (somewhat less rapid) are almost always followed by another emotion. Once again, his body language needs refinement. Eyelids open widely when fear is present. His lids could be opened a good bit wider. We should see more of a "white and wide" appearance.

With the feeling and expression of fear, "Junior" should also be bearing his upper and lower teeth with the corners of his mouth pulled straight back or with a bit of a down turn. With fear, the neck muscles would be tightened and tented-up. In addition his nostril openings would be flared. With fear-empathy we would also expect to see his central forehead contracted, with the lateral portions relaxed. 

While the kid did a pretty good job - and the director fantastic job creatively (and here he should really win a Clio Award), he could use a good bit of body language knowledge to refine these expressions so that he better captures the emotions of the moment.

Just gotta love Ragù.

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2777: Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, John McCain and John Boehner

Hillary Clinton is not often on the same side of an issue as John McCain and John Boehner - however they are when it comes to Huma Abedin, Clinton's long-time aide and deputy chief-of-staff. After five house republicans called into question whether Ms. Abedin has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood because a possible association her long-deceased father may have had - all three came to her defense. 

During the 0:17 - 0:27 segment of this video, Secretary Clinton is praising McCain and Boehner while denouncing the McCarthyesque actions of those questioning Ms. Abedin's loyalty. Ms. Clinton uses the "Political Point" with her right hand along with an up-and-down chopping motion of her right arm. The political point is used in lieu of a traditional finger point (index finger/forefinger) or other similar nonverbals (the two finger point, pointing with a pen or pencil). As its moniker alludes to, this form of pointing is seen most often in the political arena and is a "softer" and friendlier way to point. 

The "index finger point" is a body language that is cross-culturally offensive and with rare exception should never be used. Often the thumb and forefinger are in a loose and nearly circular configuration - which is seen when the face, particularly the mid-face and mouth are more relaxed and void of anger and other negative emotional body language signals. Note however, that Ms. Clinton's digits are pinched together to form a tear-drop shape. When this variation of the political-point is seen, there is a more negative emotional tone present - which is often seen with corresponding facial tension. Ms. Clinton displays a subtle body language expression of contempt during this same ten second segment - which is directed at Huma Abedin's accusers - Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Louie Gohmert (R-Tx), Thomas Rooney (R-FL) and Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA).

Thus the pinched-political point (tear-drop shaped) is a more assertive and aggressive variation compared to the circular, relaxed and relative-beta variety. Ms. Clinton's chopping motion of her arm further adds to these more alpha emotions. While to some these may seem nearly identical gestures, nuancing this difference will allow you a clearer view into others' psyches. If negative emotions are present - endeavor to see through the camouflage ... or you will be ambushed.

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2078: Mitt Romney's Taxes and Harry Reid's Accusations

On Friday, Harry Reid accused Mitt Romney of not paying any taxes for the past ten years. In this video, Mr. Romney is defending these attacks by the Senate Majority Leader. While, like everyone else, we don’t have any of the former Massachusetts Governor's tax records, and thus we can’t comment on legalities as the IRS’s could, Mitt Romney’s body language tells us his honesty regarding these taxes. Generally, Mitt has a very bad habit of not using his hands as illustrators during speeches and interviews – however  this video is an important exception to his pattern. An illustrator is a facial, hand/arm or body dynamic nonverbal configuration which emphasizes, underlines or animates the spoken word. When used in a congruent manner with the verbal message, illustrators indicate credibility, build rapport and increase learning/recall in the audience. One must be very careful to not confuse illustrators with MAPs (Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers).

Mitt tends to be “old school” when it comes to his lack of displaying illustrators. In decades past, “speech coaches” often preached to not use one's hands/arms when talking - based on nothing more than their own personal bias. Romney has heeded this bad advice - it is absolutely wrong. It is not to imply however, that haphazard movements of the hands & arms are helpful or to be encouraged. Atypically for him, Mitt used his hands and arms in a highly congruent manner when verbalizing his defense against Harry Reid's accusations. 

Romney's body language indicates high sincerity and honesty regarding his belief in his tax history. He just needs to achieve a similar level of congruency between his words and nonverbal displays in other interviews, speeches and debates.

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

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

Analysis # 1915: Mitt Romney's Response to Supreme Court's Decision on "Obamacare"

Analysis # 2051: Mitt Romney regarding Campaign Finance Rules - and a Near-Microexpression of Disgust

Analysis # 2063: Mitt Romney and Ed Miliband - Under-used and Backfiring Uses of Hands

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2074: Mitt Romney and Senator Kelly Ayotte What Body Language Tells?

Mitt Romney has a habit of putting his hands in his pockets when stage. This body language signal is a clear indication he feeling emotional dissonance. In such a context, no right-minded parent ever told their son or daughter to put their hands in their pockets. No adult who professes to lead should either. It is a very beta, low confidence, unassertive and demure sign. Given this setting, one has to wonder - Why? Answer - it tells us with absolute confidence that he will NOT pick Senator Kelly Ayotte as a running mate. In poker parlance, Romney is bluffing.

See also:

Analysis # 913: Low Confidence, Low Trust and Demure

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2077: The Body Language of a Russian Face-Plant

This photo needs little detailed nonverbal analysis, for the emotions being displayed are obvious to most all who see it. It is a fantastic photo though - one that draws you deeply into the anxiety of the moment. The Russian Gymnast, and the reigning World-Champion in the floor exercise, Ksenia Afanasyeva, was winding up a near flawless routine during the 2012 Olympic Women's Team Competition, when on the final pass - she suffered a major fall. Her team mates and coaches are displaying dramatic body language signals of fear, sadness and empathy.

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2073: Princess Eugenie of York, The Olympics and Mixing with the Commoners

Princess Eugenie (R) along with Princess Beatrice (the Princesses of York) arrive at the Show Jumping Eventing Equestrian at the London Olympics where their cousin Zara Phillips went on to win the Silver Medal in Team Eventing. About to take her seat next to Harry, William and Kate, Eugenie is displaying a classic body language/facial expression of fear. While we cannot know the precise cause of this emotion, the partial mouth configuration (her left side) leaves no room for doubt.

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Nonverbal Communication Application # 2012: Mitt Romney and Vetting the V.P. .... or an Attorney, a Physician, a C-Level Executive, a Juror, a Suspect, etc. ...

In this "CBS This Morning" interview Charlie Rose asks GQ magazine contributing Editor Jason Zengerle, whether he believes a Nonverbal Communication/Body Language Expert should be used to as an adjunct to Mitt Romney's Vice Presidential Vetting Process. With the very personal nature of the questions asked during such a process, and the strong desire to climb the political (or corporate) ladder, there is a very strong tendency to lie. It is also very common for alpha personalities whom have reached a certain level of success to a belief that they won't get caught as well as the greater ability to, and habit of rationalizing deceit. This is particularly true for those with a greater amount of formal education. Thus an expert in nonverbal communication is a very helpful addition to the vetting process as well as any other high-risk/high-value, face-to-face truth vs. deception scenario - such as an important interview, a criminal investigation, a legal deposition or jury selection.

See also:

Analysis # 2051: Mitt Romney regarding Campaign Finance Rules - Near-Microexpression of Disgust

Analysis # 2063: Mitt Romney and Ed Miliband - Under Used and Backfiring Uses of Hands

Analysis # 2035: Mitt Romney's Body Language Amplifier - (it works on the rest of us too) 

Analysis # 1553: Ann & Mitt Romey's Body Language at NRA Meeting

Analysis # 1062: Mitt Romney in London - Speaking out the Side of His Mouth - Anxiety-Insincerity or Worse

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

In this video, Jay Carney, the White House Press Secretary, avoids commenting directly on the specifics of Mitt Romney's recent visits to the U.K., Israel and Poland - only in a very general way. While Mr. Carney did display two microexpressions of contempt at the 0:17 and 0:19 marks, there is another particularly interesting nonverbal displayed at the 0:39 second mark which should capture our interest - a mild-moderate lip purse.

Pursing of one's lips indicates that there is a disagreement occurring - here between Mr. Carney and what he thinks Mitt should have said/done compared to what Romney actually did. When is a lip purse present, there is a great disparity between what is being said and what is being thought (e.g. They may voice little or no disagreement, but they are thinking a much greater level of disagreement). It is also a signal that the purser has an alternative thought, plan, idea, etc. to what is being done, proposed, suggested by the other party - and that he believes his plan/idea is superior. A lip purser also believes he is a relative-alpha vs. whomever he is interacting with - thus he believes he has the power, resources, money to pull off his plan (People who perceive themselves to be relative betas don't display this body language). Moreover, he won't be sharing his idea with you - so get ready for an "end-run" and have your plan B (and plan C) ready.

In summary, a lip purse is a signal of clandestine disagreement and/or plans displayed from a relative alpha.

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2070: Missy Franklin's Reaction after 100 Backstroke Victory in London

This image of Missy Franklin was taken immediately after her victory in the 100 Meter Backstroke. The sudden touching of her forehead indicates disbelief. Her intellect believes she just won an Olympic Gold Medal, however Missy's emotional brain hasn't fully processed the event yet. This lag-effect, where additional processing time is required to fully comprehend what has transpired, is a very common phenomenon. It's an emotion which shares significant similarities with surprise (note her mouth configuration is agape, not quite as widely, but close to that of surprise). If we could see her eyelids, they too would be opened widely - again, almost identical to surprise. This emotional-processing (here it's obviously a good event, however it can be a bad one) if extreme enough, transitions into an emotional shock.

A similar (and more common) body language signal occurs with sudden mouth covering or the sides of the face/cheeks/temple region.

See also:

Analysis  # 221: Spontaneous Mouth Covering & Empathy

Analysis # 1212: Sudden Mouth Covering

Analysis # 871: Mouth Covering Candidate

Additionally, when the palm of the hand makes full contact - it is a very reliable nonverbal signal of sincerity. In the context of becoming an Olympic Champion, this is no wonder. In lesser situations however, surprise, emotional processing and emotional shock can be feigned and the palmar touch is a very good body language sign to watch for when detecting sincerity in such scenarios.

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2051: Mitt Romney regarding Campaign Finance Rules - Near-Microexpression of Disgust

During this recent interview in Israel, Mitt Romney describes his feelings regarding an aspect of campaign finance rules with which he voices a strong disagreement. At the 0:24 - 0:25 mark, he displays a facial "near-microexpression" of disgust (expression here is of slightly longer duration than is classically defined for microexpression, 0.04 to 0.50 seconds). Note his mid-face tightening (mustache area) with both nostrils flaring and dynamic contraction on the bridge of his nose. His head/neck also retracts slightly as well as a concomitant partial closure of his eyelids, an increase in the "crow's feet" and lowering of his eyebrows. His nasal-labial furrow also becomes more pronounced. Since Mr. Romney's verbal and his nonverbal message are congruent, his sincerity quotient his high on this issue. 

When someone's words and body language are in disagreement however - always believe the body language.

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