Thursday, May 14, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3186: Kim Jong-un, Hyon Yong-Chol, Intimidation and Arm-Movement - Body Language (PHOTO)





















It seems being a high government official in Pyongyang is a bit dangerous. Late last month, the North Korean Defense Minister, Hyon Yong-Chol was executed. Kim Jong-un wants to be feared. As hundreds were made to watch, he was reportedly killed and his body was obliterated by anti-aircraft guns.

Whether it's an attending physician at a teaching hospital surrounded by "his" residents and medical students, a CEO circled with yes-men ... or a tyrannical leader - when an alpha personality is accompanied by his or her subordinates, there is a very significant drop-off in the amplitude, frequency and speed of the subservients' arm and hand movements. This is a very noticeable behavior pattern - regardless of the culture or country. This same phenomenon is even seen in great apes, lower-order primates as well as with other mammals. In more alpha personalities or alpha contexts the upper arm in particular will extend further from the torso - and do so more often. Faster rates of upper limb moments in the dominant personalities are also more common. Hands tend to be more open in those with power while people whom are lower in the pecking-order will tend to keep their hands more closed.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3185: Julia Roberts Recalls Her First Interview with David Letterman - a Body Language Indicator of Sincere Laughter

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2807: Barack Obama at 2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3091: Vladimir Putin has Asperger's Syndrome according to Pentagon Report

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2580: Angela Merkel's Fingers, Emotions and Mobile Phone

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010:  Rashida Jones - What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

___________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3185: Julia Roberts Recalls Her First Interview with David Letterman - a Body Language Indicator of Sincere Laughter (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




 
Last night, on her 26th appearance - Julia Roberts, one of Dave's best guests, recalls being reluctant to show up to her very first interview with David Letterman.

Famous for many things, among these her infectious smile and laughter - the accomplished actress here displays a rarely discussed and fantastic nonverbal quality of sincere laughter. In this image and its close-up captured below (during 5:59), we can see both Dave and Julia in the midst of sincere laughter. Roberts, seen in-profile, is retracting (pulling in) her jaw (Letterman is too - however the camera angle doesn't afford us the same view). Although there are certainly times when laughter is sincere and this particular body language of jaw retraction is not seen (e.g., not all sincere laughter is the same), whenever jaw-retraction is displayed - you can be sure the laughter is indeed sincere.








































See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3184: Erin Andrews' Eye Roll upon and "Dancing with the Stars" semifinalist Noah Galloway proposing to his girlfriend Jamie Boyd live after he performing to "Time of My Life"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2632: "The Sound of Music", Carrie Underwood and a Key Body Language Limiting Element 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3054: Rory McIlroy laughs off "Sweet Caroline" tune (But Not Memories of Wozniacki) - Blushing, Smiling, Sincerity and Empathy

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

___________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3184: Erin Andrews' Eye Roll upon and "Dancing with the Stars" semifinalist Noah Galloway proposing to his girlfriend Jamie Boyd live after he performing to "Time of My Life" - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Erin Andrews spoiled the party last night on "Dancing With the Stars". Noah Galloway - a semifinalist and a war hero proposed to his girlfriend, Jamie Boyd .... and Ms. Andrews let her true feelings leak out. What follows is a partial body language analysis of the above video.



0:45

Eye Roll - a classic display of impatient-dismissal with strong components of contempt.

In addition, Andrews' lower and mid-face are also displaying additional elements of contempt.

The eye roll is a conscious/edge-of-consciousness nonverbal, thus Ms. Andrews' claim that she was feeling empathy for the Noah and Jamie - and that she was trying to suppress tears - is a blatant lie.



0:47

Andrews' face takes on a Classic Disgust Display















0:43

A few seconds earlier we can see Jamie Boyd in the midst of one common nonverbal configuration sometimes seen when one is trying to suppress tears. Surprising to some people, the jaw is clenched and jutted forward (similar to what other emotion?). Her chin is also dimpling and her nostrils are flared. Some will also be surprised to learn that this is a very sincere smile - despite her down-turned mouth corners. Her mouth/jaw/lips are in the midst of the act of preventing her from crying.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3183: Tom Brady, Bridget Moynahan, Body Language & Classic Subtle Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3058: Stuart Scott's ESPY Award Speech - a Common Yet Very Under-appreciated Signal of Sadness/Grief Suppression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2617: Walter Cronkite Announces President John Kennedy's Death - Body Language and Suppression of Grief

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3111: Dakota Johnson rips into her Mom, Melanie Griffith at Oscars

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2276:  Michelle Obama's Eye Roll .... What was she thinking? and  What Did Boehner's & Barack's Body Language Say?


___________________________________________________________________________________

Monday, May 11, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3183: Tom Brady, Bridget Moynahan, Body Language & Classic Subtle Contempt (PHOTOS)























Before Tom Brady married supermodel Gisele Bündchen, he was dating actress Bridget Moynahan. The recently "suspended-lite" DeflateGate New England Quarterback also had a son with Moynahan. In this image, he is displaying a facial expression that many would misidentify as a small social smile - yet it's anything but a smile. Rather, this is a good example of one of the classic nonverbal displays of contempt - albeit fairly subtle (about 1-2 out of 10). Note the mild flaring of his left nostril - as well as the slight tension of his "mustache area". What other feature here is significant for contempt? What are some contempt amplifiers also captured in this photo? We cannot say for whom the contempt was directed - yet this was indeed the emotion the Patriots' QB was feeling the moment this image was captured.

Intriguingly, we tend to mislabel emotions (biased in a positive direction) to a greater degree when the person displaying it - is accomplished, powerful or considered by most to be good looking. This is one of several qualities which make attractive people better liars.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3182: DeflateGate & Tom Brady's 1st Interview after the Wells Report - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2999: Chris Christie to James Keady "Sit Down and Shut Up" - Body Language Congruent with ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2322:  Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist?  Body Language Red Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2965: A Variation of a Microexpression of Contempt Commonly Confused & Disguised

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

___________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3182: DeflateGate & Tom Brady's 1st Interview after the Wells Report - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





On Thursday, sportscaster and journalist Jim Gray interviewed Tom Brady at Salem State University. It was the New England Quarterback's first interview since the Wells Report was released on Tuesday (6 May 2015). While the Patriots' QB did not address specific issues regarding the report, his body language was certainly very telling. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.


Fig Leaf (Seated Fig Leaf) &
Crossed Ankles

This nonverbal cluster indicates a very beta, demure and low confidence emotional tone. There is indeed an additional component of fear here. Brady is feeling the need for protection (his hand position is also known as "Genital Guarding"). He maintains this and slight variations throughout the entire segment.






1:00

On Brady's face the primary emotion in this moment is disgust while the secondary one is anger. Do you see the specific components of these nonverbal signals?








Tongue Jut at 1:21 - Brady's psyche is telling us that he is repulsed by the report while at the same time saying that he know he's guilty of bad behavior.

".... Well my athletic career's been better than my academic career - so I ... usually I'm used to reading Xs and Os - ah ... this was a little bit longer [tongue jut]."




1:24 as Gray says, "When do you plan to address this publicly?"

"Jaw Confessional" in conjunction with a "Tongue-in-Cheek" display. This body language cluster is telling us that he feels both guilt and embarrassment - and yet, he knows he won. (Hmmm, a six or eight game suspension for a 4th Super Bowl ring?).





A Hard Swallow at 1:42

"... Whenever it happens ah, it happens and I'll certainly want to be very comfortable in how I feel about the statements that I make."

Three seconds later as Gray begins, "So since those statements right now will speak for you ..." - we then see Brady make a hard swallow (note his Adam's apple moving up and down at 1:42). This is a general indicator of significant anxiety.


1:48

Repeat Tongue Jut (second of several)

In response to the question, "... How are you handling this controversy?"

His tongue jut tells us that he has both been caught and that he is repulsed by deflategate.




1:51

When Gray continues, "... Is it bothering you?", Tom Brady immediately twists his wedding ring. The timing of this nonverbal strongly suggests that Brady and his supermodel wife, Gisele Bündchen are having marital problems at least in part associated with Deflategate.





Eye Rub at 2:15

In conjunction with or just prior to a declarative statement, eye rubs/itches/scratches are indicative of deception.

This nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) was made as Brady initiates and says, "... and certainly I accept my role and responsibility ..."




Tom Brady's body language has once again confessed his guilt to us - as well as disclosing marital problems.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3181: Cristiano Ronaldo defends Japanese boy on TV - Body Language of Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3078: Tom Brady, Deflategate, Deception and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3079: Tom Brady, Deflategate - Part Deux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2945: Roger Goodell's Interview regarding Ray Rice - Denies NFL saw Video before Monday - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2935: David Cameron and ISIL-ISIS-IS, Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3109: Why Chris Christie Will Never Win The White House in 2016 (or the Republican Nomination) - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate
 
___________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3181: Cristiano Ronaldo defends Japanese boy on TV - Body Language of Deception (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Seen in this currently viral video, the great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is being interviewed by a Japanese boy. The boy is doing his best to read and interview in Portuguese - Ronaldo's native tongue. This act shows respect to the athlete and requires some significant courage. Most adults won't do so - rather they would require or request a translator - particularly in front of an audience or when televised. Thus it should not surprise anyone that Ronaldo came to the boy's defense when some began laughing at him.

Ronaldo says, " .... he speak good - Portuguese .... " (beginning at 0:49).
















Then during the 0:50 - 0:51 segment, as he says " ... Portuguese ...", Cristiano Ronaldo scratches the lateral edge of his left nostril. Nose touches/rubs/scratches of course, most of the time, also result in a covering of the mouth. When making a declarative statement simultaneous with or just after a nose rub or mouth cover/touch - it's highly indicative of deception. This example is of course is a small lie, some would refer to it as a "white lie" - one of low consequences. This is not a disparaging observation of the Real Madrid forward - on the contrary, it's complimentary. The chances of being caught lying are proportional to the punishment or consequences of that lie. Here the ramifications of being caught are very low - Ronaldo was coming to the aid of a child. Who, of average or of high empathy would do otherwise? So if Cristiano is easily caught in this trivial lie (except for the boy's feelings of course - his feelings are not trivial) - then he would be very easily discovered in a more significant deception. The fact that Ronaldo is a poor liar indicates he's had little practice at lying. It also indicates his personality is consistent with both high sincerity and high empathy.



















See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3180: Tom Brady, Deflategate and an Under-appreciated Body Language Sign of Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2745: Vladimir Putin Deception regarding Crimea

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2867: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, Ghana and The World Cup - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2520:  Cristiano Ronaldo greets Gareth Bale at  First Training Day at Real Madrid,  Dominance, Team Captain and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3127: Hillary Clinton's Press Conference and a Body Language Down-regulator of Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3150: Rand Paul Announces His Candidacy for Presidency of United States - Body Language Truth Check 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win

___________________________________________________________________________________

Friday, May 8, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3180: Tom Brady, Deflategate and an Under-appreciated Body Language Sign of Anxiety (PHOTOS)





















Ah, the return of deflategate ... Thank you Ted Wells (of the Wells Report) and Tom Brady for yet another body language teaching moment .... It has been leaked that Roger Goodell will indeed suspend Tom Brady - the only issue now is for how long.

A rarely discussed but highly reliable nonverbal signal is the biting of the inside of one's cheeks - or alternatively, a truncated version of this phenomenon created by a relative and temporary vacuum inside the mouth resulting in the sucking-in of the cheeks. In Super Bowl XLIX, the New England Patriots quarterback was captured in this highly characteristic nonverbal facial display. These body language configurations are strongly correlative with anxiety and a desire to suppress both the outward expression and inward crescendo of nervousness.

Tom Brady did indeed cheat and his nonverbal behavior told us all along.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3078: Tom Brady, Deflategate, Deception and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3079: Tom Brady, Deflategate - Part Deux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3080: Bill Belichick's Press Conference - A Key Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3081: More Bill Belichick Body Language Deception Deflategate Tells






















___________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3179: Post-Wells' Report - Tom Brady, Deflategate, Deception and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





In response to numerous inquires regarding the long-awaited "Wells Report", this is a re-post of the original analysis published on 22 and 24 January 2015. The Wells report, in part stated, “Based on the evidence, it also is our view that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady (the quarterback for the Patriots) was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities… involving the release of air from Patriots game balls ....”

This result, while perhaps hampered by technical limitations, seems to be worded with significant wiggle room for the Patriots' QB. Anyone with experience evaluating nonverbal behavior, paralanguage or statement analysis reached a more definitive conclusion in January.

Deflategate. Say it ain't so Tom.

Reporter: "So can you answer right now, is Tom Brady a cheater?"

Brady: [Insincere smile, suppressed smile, swaying back and forth on feet, insincere laughter, inward lip roll, hands touch], "I don't believe so...."


0:03

Asymmetrical mouth smiling is often (but not always) insincere (do you know the exceptions and how to spot them?) If we look at the rest of his face though - there are no signals of sincerity. Any mouth smiling in this context (albeit insincere) is VERY out of context.







0:04

Extended Blinking

Rocking back and forth on feet









0:06

Insincere Laughter

Suppressed Smile

Rocking back and forth on feet - high anxiety

Blushing - in this context highly consistent with deception






0:07

Inward Lip Roll (ILR)

The inward lip roll is seen when emotions stray far from baseline. He is not angry here, he is not sad, he is not feeling contempt, nor disgust. Tom Brady is nervous, very nervous. The ILR is a mechanism whereby he is suppressing his anxiety. It took about 3 seconds - an eternity when asking such an important and spot-lighted question is asked - for him to answer. And his answer was not at all consistent with truth. 

And although we cannot see his hands - by the motion of his arms we can tell that Brady hand-held at this moment - simultaneously with this inward lip roll.

From a paralanguage standpoint - his answer of, "I don't believe so ...." is such an insanely red hot deception example, statement analysis experts will be using this video as a classic for generations. This alone convicts him.

Brady's hat-wearing was clownish and also out-of-context. The hat served as a Psuedo-mask - and although it did not cover his face, it made him FEEL a bit like it, therefore allowing him to deflect a bit of attention away from his face - making the lying easier to initiate. (Intriguingly, in this context, the hat functions much like a very high witness box in a trial/court - covering all but a witnesses head).

Brady's statement, "This isn't ISIS, no one's dying" - was so emotionally out-of-context and disrespectful to the millions suffering and who will suffer (including two Japanese citizen's whom are currently threatened with beheading) - and was also said with a partially suppressed smile - (thus a form of duping delight) - this extreme level of patronizing behavior indicates a 10 out of 10 level of narcissism - and ironically, these negative behaviors are used to cloak another abhorrent activity - that of lying. The smiling out of context as well as the verbal statement were both, like his hat-wearing, a form of camouflage and deflection (e.g. trying to hide in plain sight).

Tom Brady Lied. He may not have deflated the footballs himself - but he had knowledge of it and probably orchestrated it.


24 January Re-post:





Tom Brady - The Return of The Lie.

In this second clip of the New England Patriots' quarterback's press conference from this past Thursday, we can see many more examples of nonverbal behavior indicative of deception. As mentioned in a previous post on this same appearance, in the future this video will be held up a text-book example of the body language of lying. What follows is a partial analysis.



1:36

Microexpression of Fear
(Mouth and Neck)

".... I think, ah, the main thing for the last couple days - trying to figure out ya know, what happened .... [microexpression - fear mouth at 1:36]".







(Overlapped continuation from above)

" .... out ya know, what happened ....  .... like I said, I [then a second Microexpression of fear - mouth at 1:37] you know it's, I, I sur, I was as surprised as anyone when I heard Monday morning what was happening, ummm ...." Both of these microexpression of fear are partial and subtle - thus best appreciated within the dynamic context of video (and even on slow motion).



Tongue Jut (aka Lizard Tongue)

(Overlapped continuation from above)

" .... when I heard Monday morning what was happening, ummm ...."
[1:43 Tongue Jut]

A tongue jut in this cluster context indicates: "I've been bad" or "I've been caught".




 
Think of the Tongue Jut as a form of self-deprecation in the midst of a lie.

"... You know, obviously, the NFL would like to figure out what happened in this situation [another Tongue Jut / Lizard Tongue at 2:26] ummm ...."

Again this is Brady's psyche calling itself out essentially saying, "I've been bad" or "I've been caught".




(Overlapped continuation from above)

 ".... ummm... you know I try and keep everything in perspective so .... I'm happy that we have an opportunity to play in the next game and ...."

Most notably here, at 2:31 (during the word "... opportunity ..."), we see both a Suppressed Smile of Duping Delight and Blushing - in this context highly indicative of deception.




3:27

(Partially) Suppressed Smile of Duping Delight

A reporter continues about the fact that the NFL had not yet questioned Brady,
"... You know it's odd that they haven't - at this point - you know - you're the quarterback and the center of the story right now - and the leagues' officials investigating haven't talked to - you indicates to a lot of people that they're letting this drag and twist in the wind."

Brady: "I'm not sure."

Another reporter: "Have you been told whether they will - to talk to you?"

Brady: "I'm not sure." This answer makes no sense - it's simply not a logical response to this question. It reminds many of a politician's answer when trying to dodge answering a question. Either his anxiety is excessive (e.g. he doesn't perceive the question as it was asked) - or he deliberately is re-iterating an evasive response.

Conclusion: Tom Brady is lying about his knowledge of the footballs in question being deliberately deflated. He is the only one who would have, at least in part, orchestrated such an act. While Brady is certainly no Oscar-worthy performer - he can play quarterback rather well.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3178: Garland, Texas Gunmen - Elton Simpson, Nadir Soofi, Contempt and Body Language Warning Signals

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3165: Bruce Jenner's 20/20 Interview, Part I - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3077: Caroline Wozniacki & Rory McIlroy - One Reason Why Relationships Fail - and an Important Warning Sign

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3076: 2015 State of the Union Address, Barack Obama, John Boehner and a Microexpression of ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2400:  One Way Deception Could be Minimized in the Court Room -  O.J. Simpson's in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2033:  Lie Detection, Russia, Sergey Lavrov and Syria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2581: Syria, Ambassador Robert Ford and a Body Language of Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2342:  Barack Obama at Jerusalem Convention Center in Israel  What the President's Body Language Says to a Heckler

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2612: Chris Christie 'Calls a Spade a Spade' (Well … Almost) - Body Language of the 2016 Republican Presidential Hopeful

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2996: Daniel Radcliffe Raps Blackalicious' "Alphabet Aerobics" on Tonight Show/Jimmy Fallon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3061: Jimmy Fallon Blew a Chance to Date Nicole Kidman


___________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3178: Garland, Texas Gunmen - Elton Simpson, Nadir Soofi, Contempt and Body Language Warning Signals (PHOTOS)

Although ISIS has claimed responsibility for this recent act of terrorism, the strength of such a possible link is still being investigated. The perpetrators - Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi - were shot dead by a police officer as they opened fire on a crowd of people at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. Simpson and Soofi had assault rifles. They wounded a security guard - he was shot in the ankle, treated and later released.

The event at which Soofi and Simpson initiated an attack was billed as the "First Annual Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest" and was organized by the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI). The Southern Poverty Law Center which tracks extremist groups classifies the AFDI as an Anti-Muslim organization.

Both Elton Simpson (above) and Nadir Soofi (below) are captured in these images with expressions of contempt on their faces. Simpson's contempt is subtle (perhaps 1 or 2 out of 10) while Soofi's is mild (2 or 3 out of 10). Everyone displays both contempt and disgust on occasion. This is normal - for we are all human. However those who display contempt and/or disgust chronically - have significantly higher rates of narcissism, increased problems with impulse control (problems regulating temper) and a greater tendency toward violence - when compared with those who don't have such chronic facial expressions.



Of course most all of those who display contempt or disgust chronically will not instigate mass shootings or other acts of terrorism. Yet those who wear these nonverbal signals frequently should certainly be avoided when possible. They're not pleasant people. And such individuals should themselves seek psychological help.




















See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3177: Carly Fiorina Announces her Candidacy for the 2016 Presidential Race

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3107: Erich Milton Nowsch Jr. - Las Vegas Road Rage Suspect - Body Language of Predicting Violence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2500:  Ft. Hood Shooter Nidal Malik Hasan and Contempt  The Body Language of Threat Assessment

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

___________________________________________________________________________________

Monday, May 4, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3177: Carly Fiorina Announces her Candidacy for the 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)




Today on Good Morning America, Carly Fiorina surprised almost no one with the announcement of her candidacy for the 2016 Presidential Race. In order to win any party nomination, let alone the Oval Office, a person must have more than articulate, a platform and money. They MUST be likable. This certainly doesn't mean they should abandon their principles. Yet regardless of whether or we agree or not with their politics - if a person isn't likable - we won't vote for them. Very few politicians understand this simple but profoundly principle.

Many an intelligent and otherwise adept professional completely misses the boat when it comes to body language. A huge majority of likability is dependent on nonverbal signals. A person may say "all the right things", sure - however it doesn't "feel" right unless their body language also has a friendly and natural feeling.




At the beginning of this video, Carly Fiorina exhibits extended and multiple eyelid closures (aka prolonged blinking). This is in no way normal blinking. And while increased blinking frequency is associated with anxiety, this is not the cause here.

This image was captured from the above video as the Republican candidate answers the word, "Yes" - in response to Stephanopoulos' question, "Are you running for President?" (Her eyelids are closed during this entire word "Yes".)




Here the former Hewlett-Packard CEO says, ".... I think I'm the Best Person for the Job ..." (Her eyes are also closed for these two words).

She also displayed multiple other extended and rapid blinking early during her these associated sentences.

This nonverbal signal of prolonged blinking in this context (What other nonverbal and paralanguage signs do you note here?) sends strong signals of arrogance and patronizing emotional tones. She's unmistakably distancing herself from her electorate by doing this. She's losing votes far before the primary. 

Today's take home point: We only vote with our intellect after our emotions tell us a candidate is likable. After likability is established - the rest of the "decision" is primarily rationalization. And never forget that without congruent and likable body language - nothing the person says will win over a voter.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3175: Box of Lies with Scarlett Johansson - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3141: Carly Fiorina "Higher than 90%" Chances She's Running for President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3106: Amazing Selfie Proposal - Body Language Components of Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2933: Will Hayden ("Sons of Guns") Arrested - Body Language of His Mug Shot

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

___________________________________________________________________________________