Last Thursday in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Donald Trump gave a 95 minute speech which some have likened to a reality show monologue (The above video is a small excerpt).
Although the body language teaching points in this appearance are too numerous to count - one in particular stands out.
While refuting Ben Carson's story of how his knife was deflected by an alleged victim's belt/belt buckle, Donald Trump stepped from behind the lectern to his right and began in a dramatically twisting his belt.
At 0:26 he continues, "Lemmie tell ya', I'm pretty good at this stuff, so. I have a belt. Somebody hits me with a belt, it's going in - because the belt moves this way, it moves this way, it moves that way. He hit the belt buckle. Any body, anybody have a knife? You wanna try it on me? ..."
This overt and melodramatic belt manipulation was a sexual display. In this moment, Donald Trump was trying to project his virility - and the belt twisting-reenactment was a surrogate of sorts (MAP surrogate [Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier]) and thus provided for him this opportunity.
In body language terminology, this maneuver was a form of a partial emblematic slip.
In this image, Abdeslam has nonverbal signals which are quite atypical for a photo taken in conjunction with public identification.
First he has a mild-moderate (3.0-3.5 out of 10.0) forward lip purse. The forward lip purse is indicative of clandestine disagreement and/or a clandestine plan. It also demonstrates a marked disparity between what is said (typically little or no disagreement) and what is felt-thought (dramatic disagreement). A person who makes a forward lip purse believes they are the relative alpha when compared with whom they're interacting. Moreover the forward lip purse also projects the belief that they believe they have a high chance of achieving their desired results.
There is also significant anger present in the moment this photo was captured - again an unusual emotion to be captured as part of an ID photograph. Take note of Abdeslam's eyelids. They are opened very slightly wider than baseline - however what is more prominent is the tension of his lower eyelids and mildly downward vectored eyebrows (more so on his inner, or medial eyebrows). Both of his nostrils are significantly flared and there is also a moderate amount of tension in the "mustache area".
Hand and arm nonverbal displays (what most people refer to as "gestures") when used with nuance are powerful nonverbal tools. In body language parlance, gestures fit into categories termed either as "Illustrators" or "MAPs" (Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers). These nonverbal signs can build rapport or destroy it - they may project either alpha or beta characteristics - or they may reflect arrogance or more humble qualities. Many people use gestures in an incongruent manner relative to their verbal language and paralanguage (vocal qualities) - and in such disparity - will "leak" their true thought-feelings. In contrast, when all three communication channels (verbal, nonverbal, paralanguage) are aligned - sincerity is present and recognized.
Last night, when delivering his statement regarding the attacks in Paris, Barack Obama made almost no hand or arm gestures. Only an occasional crossing and uncrossing of his hands on the top of the lectern - as well as a gripping of its sides were displayed. Other than these milder hand and arm movements, no other gestures were used in this 4 minute speech. When speaking about such a somber and tragic event - particularly when it's still unfolding, lower positions and a relative lack of use of the hands projects a greater reverence and respect for those who had lost their lives in the attack.
If President Obama's hands had been elevated and using movements and configurations which, in almost any other setting would be "normal" or acceptable - would have been out of context here. Moreover had Mr. Obama displayed even moderate hand use in this situation, it would be both interpreted and signify an insensitive emotional tone with a veiled political agenda. The President's lower position and minimal hand usage is an analog of the genital guarding/fig leaf configuration.
Many have made the observation that Ben Carson displays an "even temperament" or "always has a calm demeanor". One reason for this is that Dr. Carson has Botox treatments on the upper 1/3 of his face.
While most use Botox for aesthetic reasons, others - particularly politicians and other "leaders" will undergo these treatments in an effort to appear less angry or less impatient. Of course it's normal to feel these feelings - as long as they aren't too frequent or too extreme. Yet an extreme detriment of Botox treatment is that emotional expression can be significantly suppressed or prevented. Nonverbal expression is normal and healthy. We expect to see facial expressions in context - however when we see almost none (or there's a lack of congruity) it should (and many times does) send up red flags. Thus moderate (or greater) use of Botox reduces significantly our ability to establish and build rapport - and win over voters' hearts.
An example of reduced emotional expression is seen here (0:58) when Dr. Carson's eyebrows are raised - yet there is no dynamic contraction furrows on his forehead.
"I tried Botox one time and was permanently surprised for a couple of months. It was not a cute look for me. My feeling is, I have three children who should know what emotion I'm feeling at the exact moment I'm feeling it... that is critical."
Two nights ago during the Republican Debate in Milwaukee, John Kasich gave an answer regarding cutting taxes coupled with a simultaneous balancing of the budget.
Here is a portion of his answer, as Governor Kasich continues (beginning at 14:00):
"... That's why it's so important. And for those at the bottom, we've gotta do what we can to train them so that they can move up. But to just look the other way is not acceptable - because you know what? - As the Governor of Ohio, I have to deal with real challenges and we've gotten it done in our state and I will do it for America." [followed by jaw jut]
14:20
14:21
Notice Kasich's Eyebrows are vectored somewhat downward (although some of this eyebrow and eyelid configuration is passive, simply due to an age-related "droopiness"), along with elevated mid-facial tension, a flaring of his nostrils and a jaw jut without significant display of his lower teeth.
This nonverbal display indicates John Kasich is feeling anger along with a highly determined and defiant emotional tone. And while you may or may not Gov. Kasich, his policies or his politics - of all the republican candidates, he is the one who consistently displays the highest levels of sincerity.
Yet of course, he is far from nonverbally perfect. Earlier in this video clip for example, Governor Kasich repeatedly displayed what body language which is a strong rapport destroyer?
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.
Graham Norton and his guests never disappoint and the video above is no exception. Kate Winslet's story is hilarious - and both she and Norton example a multitude of body language tells. However highlighted here is one nonverbal signal of Michael Fassbender's - which is very often missed and/or over-generalized.
Note that as Fassbender speaks about an "awful" best-man speech, he rubs his right thigh with his hand. Importantly - this progresses forward to and then includes his knee - and even a bit below the knee (4:14 - 4:15).
This self-touching/self-massage is an example what is termed a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (aka MAP) and indicates a heightened level of anxiety. Yet we can further nuance this however - for when the rubbing of the thigh progresses forward to include the knees - this signifies a particular hesitancy towards full disclosure. It's often accompanied by facial blushing and what many would characterize as a "sheepish" smile with similar vocal qualities.
In this example Mr. Fassbender's embarrassment is expressed verbally as well as with his paralanguage - yet in everyday scenarios (e.g., not on a talk show, in front of a crowd, etc.) it's often not obvious at all.
It's important to stress, that although Mr. Fassbender's an outstanding actor and he gets paid very well to "pretend" to the world - when he's just being Michael his body language tells are just as disclosing as everyone else.
This highly specific body language sign is particularly helpful during voir dire, depositions, negotiations, personal relationships, high level vetting, sales scenarios and in interview/interrogation settings.
The intent of this post is not to comment on the original inciting racist events, Wolfe's apparent mishandling of them - or the call for his resignation. Rather it is to showcase the nonverbal behavior exemplified here - specifically with respect to violation of personal and intimate space.
At 2:17, Janna Basler, assistant director of Greek Life & Leadership at the University of Missouri, appears to be pushing Tim Tai. Immediately after this image was captured, Mr. Tai says, "Don't push me."
Here (5:52) and unidentified student appears to be pushing against Tim Tai as he is also seems to be grabbing for Tai's camera with Janna Basler in facing Mr. Tai. Just after this Tai again says, "Don't push me."
At this moment (6:08) the crowd is deliberately moving forward with their collective focus pushing on Mr. Tai as he says, "You're pushing me."
6:28
Melissa Click, who at the time was an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at University of Missouri, and has now resigned - is shown here grabbing the camera of Mark Schierbecker.
Many attorneys would conclude that the physicality shown involved in the direct touching, pushing, poking, etc. of Schierbecker and Tai constitutes assault. They both exhibit much greater than average emotional control by not, in some capacity, physically retaliating.
When personal space is encroached (at approximately 18 - 48 inches) and even further into our intimate space (from touching out to 18 inches) in the context of a typical subway ride, we tend to subdue our emotions, facial expressions and our other body language. Our arms and legs tend to be held significantly closer. We put on what is essentially physiologic crowd mask as our proxemic tolerance increases.
Yet in many other scenarios - and whenever emotions are even slightly elevated, our tolerance for such physical closeness with others diminishes significantly. We grow uneasy. Our adrenaline escalates along with our tempers. The probability of physical altercation becomes logarithmically more likely. That is what very clearly occurred here. These multiple and deliberate acts of encroachment coupled with the phenomenon of herd mentality (even if direct touching and pushing had not occurred) would have in most circumstances led to physical altercation. Deliberately entering into others' personal or intimate space (even once, let alone multiple times) is interpreted as a threat. This is not hyperbole, but normal physiology. To ignore or trivialize this behavior is naive at best - and more typically violence-provoking.
With respect to nonverbal communication, Donald Trump is a Christmas Tree strewn with gifts of teaching examples. Today he provided yet another classic moment of insincerity.
In the above video, Donald Trump says, "Today I read - and I have Starbucks - they're my tenants. Did you read about Starbucks? No more 'Merry Christmas' on Starbucks. No more. [long pause] I wouldn't buy - Hey, look - I'm speaking against myself. I have one of the most successful Starbucks in Trump Tower. Maybe we should boycott Starbucks - I dunno. Seriously. I don't care. By the way, that's the end of that lease - but who cares? Who cares? WHO CARES? [long pause] But today a big story. That Scar[stutter] Starbucks is taking 'Merry Christmas' off - no more 'Merry Christmas'. I will tell you - lots of big things, lots of little things, you can call this anything you want - but if I become President, we're all going to be saying, 'Merry Christmas' again, that I can tell you. That I can tell you."
During the 0:12 - 0:15 segment, as Trumps says, "... Hey, look - I'm speaking against myself ..." - he places his hand over his sternum - but only his fingers touch - while the palm of his hand remains elevated of his chest (this nuance is best seen in the dynamic context of the video). This lack of palmar touch is very telling of a insincerity. Trump is not "speaking against" himself. On the contrary - he is very much speaking on his own behalf. Trump is of course, running for President - so such a boycott may very well aide his efforts to secure the Republican Nomination. And if he loses all affiliations he may have with Starbucks - that's a small sacrifice. Notice also, Trump's stuttering when he begins to say, "Scar -" rather than "Starbucks". This misspeak is a very interesting example of paralanguage slip (Freudian slip) - and another signal betraying his ulterior motive.
As usual, Trump did not disappoint when it came to exampling classic nonverbal behavior. Many body language novices will claim that jaw juts are always indicative of anger. The key word here is "always" - for this is NOT the case. While it is very commonly associated with anger - there are certainly other emotional contexts where a jaw jut is seen depending on the other nonverbal signals with which it is clustered (Question: From a nonverbal standpoint, how do you know Trump is not anger in this video?)
The jaw jut is always associated with an emotional state which is far from baseline. When there is no anger, and the lower teeth are well exposed - there is virtually always an element of hubris-insincerity present - and this is exactly the scenario here.
At 1:05 Trump continues his opening monologue, ".... People think I'm controversial, but the truth is I'm a nice guy [then at 1:09 a Jaw Jut with his baring of bottom teeth]. I don't hold grudges against anybody - like Rosie O'Donnell ..."
This is a highly reliable body language tell/cluster and Donald exemplifies it well - when anger is not present - and yet the jaw still juts forward simultaneously with significant lower teeth exposure - the following two emotions are both very likely present:
Carly Fiorina was a guest yesterday on The View. From a body language perspective, Ms. Fiorina tends to perform at a significantly higher level within the context of a debate. In such settings she sounds, looks and acts more Presidential. However during interviews, Ms. Fiorina does significantly worse.
Carly has a strong tendency to increase her blinking - both in frequency and duration. This behavioral pattern is more pronounced (and of course is also much more visible) when she's the only one (except the interviewer) on camera. This excessive and longer duration blinking is absolutely polarizing and rapport destroying. It projects arrogance and a condescending emotional tone - which does not win voter's hearts.
Another very significant nonverbal mistake throughout this video - is that Carly Fiorina barely uses her hands - this is a profound mistake. While it is certainly possible to use one's hands and arms excessively (à la Donald Trump) and in an incongruous manner - during this segment Ms. Fiorina's hands are only visible for four very brief moments. The less we see of a person's hands - the less we trust them and the less likability they emit (and Carly needs likability). Moreover, here Fiorina seems to be deliberately avoiding the use of her hands. This has the added effect of causing the movements of her head, neck, shoulders and eyelids to amplify - almost like a person would be if they were trying to express themselves or even struggling - while they were handcuffed. Her increased head/neck/shoulder/eyelid movements are excessive - "feel" unnatural to most people - and are off-putting and project defensiveness.
Another way of thinking of this, is that person who has charisma - never has diminished hand usage for any significant duration of time. And low charisma never wins elections.
The net result of this nonverbal cluster is that Ms. Fiorina is destroying rapport and losing the electorate.
