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

In President Obama's first press conference since his re-election, he discussed many topics - including the Petraeus Scandal, the "Fiscal Cliff", Iran and the attack on the American Embassy in Benghazi, Libya. The following are but some of the nonverbal signals during his defense of U.N. Ambassador, Susan Rice:

At the 0:00 mark, the President exhibits a "Forward Head Jut" which is a body language signal of extreme confidence and self-righteousness. This example is subtle and very brief.

There are multiple Microexpressions of Contempt from 0:37 - 0:45 as President Obama says, "If Senator McCain and Senator Graham want to go after someone - they should go after me." These are excellent examples of very subtle and evanescent displays of this extremely telling body language. Another contempt display is seen at 0:50 coincident with the words, "... But for them ..." which is longer and slightly less subtle.

The President displays an Incredulity nonverbal as he says, " .... the U.N. Ambassador ...." at 0:53. His in disbelief of John McCain's and Lindsey Graham's criticisms of Ms. Rice. Other very brief microexpressions of Contempt can be seen at 0:54 as well as at 1:03 as the President says, ".... besmirch ...."

The emotions of both Disgust and Incredulity can be seen simultaneously from 1:59 - 2:01 as Barack Obama says, "....But when the go after the U.N. Ambassador...."

A great subtle display of moderate to Severe Anger can be seen at 2:09 just after the President says, "...then they've got a problem with me....". Note that his eyelids open widely, with a relaxed forehead, jaw tension as well as tension in the "mustache area" for about a second. In the common colloquial, this could be called a "glare of anger". It too is short lived.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2172:  Governor Chris Christie's Body Language of Contempt -  Microexpressions and Subtle Displays

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2178:  Little Girl Tells Pippa Middleton, "I Hate Princesses"  Pippa's Body Language of Contempt ...

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 # 2164:  Mitt Romney's Disgust Display regarding  President Obama's Relationship with Putin and Russia -  ".... I'll give you more flexibility after the election ...."

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1841:  Disgust in Response to Rep. Barney Frank's "Hoodie" Joke

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1211:  Tiger's Eyes -  Subtle Signal, Severe Anger 

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

Jill Kelley, a Tampa Socialite, is shown here in this image exampling an extremely common nonverbal signal - the "Hair Adjust Behind Ear" (HABE). In general any manipulators, adaptors or pacifiers (MAPs) are signals of anxiety. While this is true here (who wouldn't be with a sudden thrust into a World-wide spot light?), more specifically the HABE is a call to action for the psyche to "dial up" the alpha qualities. Whether a person is a dominant leader, a demure wall flower or anywhere in between - when displayed this body language is reflective that the emotional mind trying to be more assertive and increase its level of confidence. The hair adjust behind the ear can be seen in male or female at any age, however it is much more common in females and gay men.

Obviously, there are certainly times when women or men with long hair wish their hair to be out of their face and thus will arrange their hair accordingly. However, the vast majority of times when this body language is seen - the emotional brain is in the midst of  up-regulating alpha characteristics.

Jill Kelley has reportedly exchanged "twenty to thirty thousand emails" with General John Allen, who is currently top commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and is nominated to be NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. It is also alleged that Ms. Kelley received threatening emails from Paula Broadwell who was having an extra-marital affair with CIA Chief and former Four Star General, David Petraeus. Furthermore it is reported that Paula Broadwell, via email, anonymously warned Allen of Kelley, characterizing Ms. Kelley as a "seductress".

See also:

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

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 # 2186:  Paula Broadwell, David Petraeus,  Body Language and the man who would be President ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2185:  Paula Broadwell, David Petraeus, an Alpha Personality and a  Telling Body Language Signal ....

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 ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 345: Sharon Bialek - Dialing Up Her Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1770: White House Correspondents' Dinner - Lindsay Lohan's Body Language

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1901: Maria Sharapova's Anxiety

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

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

In this interview, David Petraeus' biographer and alleged mistress, Paula Broadwell is asked, ".... I know you embedded with, you embedded with Patraeus and his staff while he was still in Afghanistan - how did you manage that, how did you get that access?" as part of her answer, near the end of this 60 second CNN video segment (Feb. 2012) she answers, "....but we had a re (stutter) a relationship ahhh before I went there, as far as this ah dissertation is concerned, so it just took it to another level." 

Ms. Broadwell displays several examples of "duping delight" (Ekman) in this video, as revealed in microexpressions at 0:55 and again at 0:57. Duping delight is a nonverbal "leakage" of joy-happiness for clandestine information being held back.

Broadwell's body language display of a prolonged blink at 0:55 is a nonverbal form of stuttering & back peddling - which is of course very congruent with the paralanguage of verbal stuttering and "ahhhs" with which it is clustered. Paula's emotionally processing the verbal slip she just committed and wishing it away.

Also of note here is the hard swallow seen at 0:59 indicating anxiety and it's often accompanying dry throat.

It's telling that during the above described body language displays, Paula Broadwell uses the phrase, " .... took it to another level" when describing her relationship with Petraeus - which, when used to describe relationships is often a euphemism for sexual intimacy.

See also:

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 # 2186:  Paula Broadwell, David Petraeus,  Body Language and the man who would be President ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2185:  Paula Broadwell, David Petraeus, an Alpha Personality and a  Telling Body Language Signal ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2182:  Jennifer Granholm & Newt Gingrich  the Day After the 2012 Election -  Governor Granholm's Duping Delight and Suppressed Smile .... 

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 ....

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

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

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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" ....

This short & edited video segment from her University of Denver speech, Paula Broadwell seems to leak either hearsay and/or state secrets regarding the CIA's investigation into the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya on 11 September 2012. The recent news of her extra-marital affair with former CIA Chief and Four Star General, David Petraeus raises questions as to how she came into this information.

In what is a very somber subject (and so any sort of a smile is not congruent), Ms. Broadwell displays a nonverbal form of a "Duping Delight" (Ekman) with her partial, mouth-only, left-sided pseudo-smile during the 0:26 - 0:30 segment. She is "duping" us because she knows something that we don't know and she's very pleased with herself. This body language is akin to a child who knows a secret and cannot keep a straight face. Paula's not telling us everything either.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2185:  Paula Broadwell, David Petraeus, an Alpha Personality and a  Telling Body Language Signal ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2182:  Jennifer Granholm & Newt Gingrich  the Day After the 2012 Election -  Governor Granholm's Duping Delight and Suppressed Smile .... 

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 ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 140:  Duping Delight Microexpression

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

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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Paula Broadwell, the woman who is alleged to have had an extra-marital affair with former CIA Director and four star General David Petraeus, is interviewed here by Jon Stewart.

There are many interesting body language signals in this video. The following are but two examples which involve eye movements as a nonverbal epiphenomenon of thought and emotional processing:

The vast majority of right-handed people (as is Broadwell) will look down to their right when thinking about issues which, for them, have a high emotional tone. This quadrant also correlates highly to kinesthetic issues. Broadwell looks down to her right at numerous times though out this interview regarding Patraeus. In this context, this eye movement is a highly reliable body language signal that Broadwell had, at the very least, a high level of affection for David Patraeus. One of many great examples of Broadwell's quadrant glances is seen at 1:47 when Stewart says, ".... Is he awesome or incredibly awesome?" Had this been a person with whom she had no affection for, Ms. Broadwell would not repeatedly display this very telling nonverbal.

Another interesting body language signal is correlated to a different direction of gaze - up and to the right. At 5:50 - 5:51 and again at 5:54, Paula Broadwell looks to her upper right quadrant just as Stewart presses her on whether or not Petraeus will be running for President one day. A right-handed person, the vast majority of the time, when they look up to the right - is visually constructing a future event or a past event which they had not witnessed. In this case, since Jon Steward was asking her about this highly specific future scenario and Petraeus' personal plans to which precious few would be privy - her two brief glances to this quadrant signifies that, at the time, she believed a future bid for the Presidency was highly likely. It does not prove that she and the General definitely discussed this possibility - but since she was his biographer and perhaps much more - it is highly suggestive Petraeus had Presidential aspirations.

It is important to note, that while these and other eye movements are not 100% reliable, when a person's nonverbal behavior is "normed" and found to be highly correlated - which occurs a very high percentage of the time, they can be highly reliable.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2146:  Biden vs. Ryan Vice Presidential Debates -  Both Candidates Displayed Body Language of Contempt 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2185:  Paula Broadwell, David Petraeus, an Alpha Personality and a  Telling Body Language Signal ....

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2185: Paula Broadwell, David Petraeus, an Alpha Personality and a Telling Body Language Signal ....

In the above interview with CNN's Erin Burnett (16 February 2012), Paula Broadwell gives her opinions regarding Iran, its anticipated nuclear capability and the geopolitical ramifications of possible military intervention. At several times during the interview, Ms. Broadwell exemplifies a pseudo-blink with her left eye (e.g. 0:37, 1:06 and 1:28). This unilateral nonverbal is characterized most often by a partial blink (although it can sometimes involve complete eyelid closure) and is reflective of an alpha personality with a strong point of view. This body language is displayed by those who are very confident in their opinion and individuals in a position of relative power. It's an attempt by the subconscious to create rapport through false-familarity and when coupled with other nonverbals, paralanguage and verbals - even false-affection. It's also a signal that they're not receptive to taking in new information, but only interested in advancing their position or agenda.

Paula Broadwell has a very alpha personality.

The pseudo-blink can be mistaken or confused with the unilateral partial eyelid closure sometimes seen with incredulity (as Erin Burnett examples at the 0:11 mark) or that which may accompany contempt or disgust.

Paula Broadwell is alleged to have had an extra-marital affair with former CIA Director and Four Star General David Petraeus. Broadwell is the Petraeus' Biographer (All In: The Education of General David Petraeus) - herself a West Point Grad ('95) and currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. Petraeus met with Barack Obama on 8 November and offered to resign. The President accepted Petraeus' resignation on 9 November 2012.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2160:  Index Finger (Forefinger) Pointing in Politics -  The Third (and Final) 2012 Presidential Debates -  Body Language of Being an Alpha Male without Offending

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2048:  The Arm Grip, Shoulder Touch and Back Touch Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1871: Barack Obama  Explains His "Private Sector is Doing Fine" Comment -  The "Dominant Spider" vs.The "Split-Finger Fastball"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1889:  Vladimir Putin & Barack Obama at the G-20

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

Nonverbal Communication Intelligence # 2113:  Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran, the U.S. and the  Self-Righteous Head Wiggle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2061:  David Cameron Defends London Olympics against  Mitt Romney's Remarks -  Alpha Dominance and Illustrators -  Matching Hands and Feet as Sincerity Amplifiers

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. ...

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2184: President Obama - "I'm Open to Compromise ..." But What Does His Body Language Say?

As the "Fiscal Cliff" approaches, President Obama gave his first post-election speech today in the East Room of the White House in which he spoke of the budget, taxes, deficit reduction - AND his strong desire to bring both parties together and arrive at a solution that has so far proven elusive. But was he sincere?  In the CNN video above President Obama says, ".... I want to be clear; I'm not wedded to every detail of my plan. I'm open to compromise. I'm open to new ideas ... (1:41 - 1:50)." Note specifically during the 1:48 - 1:50 segment, Mr. Obama's hands gesture widely (shoulders width apart) together with an up-and-down motion - in one example of what in body language nomenclature is known as an "Illustrator". Moreover it signals openness. This particular nonverbal is highly congruent with his spoken words - and thus is a strong indicator of the President's high sincerity quotient in this message. If at this particular juncture his hands were held close together - or if they were closed in fist-like configurations, one would have to doubt his word. The President's body language is highly consistent with his verbal message. He is being honest.

See also:

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

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

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

There are several components of a sincere and affectionate hug. One of these ingredients is full contact of the palms of the hands. The body language of this "Palmar Touch" - highlighted in this image by President Obama - signifies both sincerity and affection. When this crucial nonverbal  is consistently absent (such as only with the finger tips touching) during a hug - affection is either waning or is being feigned. 

On Election night, Barack Obama tweeted this image of he and Michelle hugging with the message, "Four more years". It broke the Twitter record for retweets.

See also:

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1855:  Sincere Kisses & Closed Eyes

Nonverbal Intelligence Quiz-Analysis # 2110:  Pizza Guy - Scott Van Duzer's Bear-Hug Encounter with President Obama -  Staged or Real?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1898:  Heat, Hugs & Head Surrogates 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2108:  Rihanna's and Chris Brown's Kiss and Hug - What are they REALLY feeling?  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 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 # 2182: Jennifer Granholm & Newt Gingrich the Day After the 2012 Election - Governor Granholm's Duping Delight and Suppressed Smile

In this "CBS This Morning" interview of Jennifer Granholm (a democrat and former two term Governor of Michigan) and Newt Gingrich (a republican and former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives), the morning after Barack Obama's sweeping victory for a second term in the White House, Governor Granholm displays a great example of a Duping Delight display (0:11 - 0:12) followed rapidly by a Suppressed Mouth Smile (0:13 - 0:14). She cannot entirely contain her glee at the President's dramatic win while she looks forward to what she feels will be an uncomfortable and difficult few moments for Speaker Gingrich. Here the political - and thus emotional context is obvious to even a novice observer. Ms. Granholm is trying to be professional - and succeeds - but her body language "leakage" gives us a glimpse into her emotional mind. Very often in negotiations, testimonies and in many a deception - the Duping Delight will "leak" out - betraying the true emotions - and contradict the verbal message.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 140: Duping Delight Microexpression on a Mug Shot

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

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

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

 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2181: Mitt Romney's Concession Speech - and the Body Language of Lip Smacking

In this abbreviated/edited segment of Mitt Romney's concession speech, there are great examples of a display with is both paralanguage and nonverbal in nature. Lip Smacking. Because of the background noise and the camera occasionally pointed in other directions, it is difficult to tell for sure - however in this 1:44 video, the 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate gives eight lip smacks. Although for an occasional person, this can be very habitual and in these settings can be thought of as a form of facial tic, such is not the case here for Governor Romney. 

Anyone who fought as hard as he did would (and many would say should), during his/her concession speech feel some degree of self-righteousness - otherwise why would they have run for office? There is no exception here and we may very well have seen this body language-paralanguage signal if Barack Obama would have lost. And although depending on the other nonverbals and paralanguage with which it is clustered it can be indicate other emotions - in his concession speech, Mitt Romney's multiple lip smacking display is a signal of a self-righteous emotional tone. He believes he is the best choice. He feels - naturally - that he and his ideas represent a superior way to run the country. All around us, many times a day - in our personal and professional lives, while the words say one thing - the nonverbal gives us another message. If you know what to look for - always trust the nonverbal.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2164: Mitt Romney's Disgust Display regarding President Obama's Relationship with Putin and Russia - ".... I'll give you more flexibility after the election ...."

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2155: Body Language Tells at the Second Presidential Debate - Mitt Romney at Attention & President Obama's Disapproval-Subtle Contempt

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

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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