Body Language & Emotional Intelligence

On Saturday 3 August 2019, Patrick Wood Crusius allegedly went on a shooting rampage inside a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. He traveled about 1,050 km (~650 miles) from his home in Allen, Texas to do so. Tragically, 22 people have died while another 24 were wounded. About 30 minutes prior to the shooting, Crusius published manifesto online, ranting against immigration and declaring that “this attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.” Moreover, Crusius confessed to law enforcement that he had been specifically targeting "Mexicans".

From a nonverbal and specifically a threat-assessment perspective, it's crucial to analyze the three images of the suspect included here.

In the first image, above, the suspect's eyebrows and forehead are lowered. His eyebrows are also mildly drawn together. The left side of his mid-face is contracted in what many would colloquially term a 'snarl'. This is primarily an expression of contempt with a secondary component of anger.

Notice too, that his eyelids are partially closed. At this time it's not clear if the suspect's upper eyelids may have had this characteristic since birth (and, in that case, would be classified as congenital ptosis), but his 'droopy' eyelids have the effect of amplifying both his anger and contempt.

An additional sign in this photo is the suspect's mild Forward Lip Pursing. A forward lip purse signals a full or partial undisclosed disagreement and/or a clandestine plan. A person configuring their lips in this fashion believes they are a relative alpha to (who they perceive to be) beta personalities with whom they're interacting. They also believe they have a good chance of successfully carrying out their plan/action.


In the next image of the suspect, we see his expression is similar to that in the first photo. His eyebrows, however, are pinched closer together and perhaps lowered more. Notice his mid-face is mildly contracted - particularly his 'mustache area'. His nostrils are also mildly flared. This is an amalgam of Disgust and Anger. Anyone who displays disgust toward a person or group of people - signals their belief of their perceived superiority/the others' perceived inferiority.

It's profoundly important to stress that such chronic displays of disgust also signal an inherent component to their beliefs of superiority - and others' inferiority. The thought-emotion of disgust is necessary for demonizing and 'otherizing' people. Thus, it's not surprising to learn that disgust was the most common facial expression documented on the faces' of Nazis staffing concentration camps during World War II.


Many people would mistake the emotions seen in this third image as a partial smile - but it's nothing of the sort. This is Contempt - and more specifically, a variety of Smug Contempt.

SUMMARY: All healthy human beings will, on occasion, experience anger, contempt, and disgust. However, those individuals who exhibit these emotions too often or too intensely have significant psychological pathology. This pattern, of course, has been true throughout human history - but with the advent of social media, we can (openly and publicly) qualify this behavior - as well as quantify it. So, while certainly, not everyone who displays disgust, anger, and/or contempt either frequently and/or extremely will perpetrate a mass-shooting, they will, at least, have Impulse Control Disorder. Knowing how to spot these and other nonverbal behaviors is an integral component of accurate threat assessment and critical for personal safety.




See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4392: The Secret Tells behind Donald Trump's Statement, "No Puppet. No Puppet. You're the Puppet" 

Body Language Analysis No. 4391: Donald Trump, Buzz Aldrin, and Variations on the 'Side-Eye'

Body Language Analysis No. 4390: Mike Pence visits 'Detention Center' in McAllen, Texas

Body Language Analysis No. 4389: Jeffrey Epstein's Default Expression

Body Language Analysis No. 4388: Donald Trump regarding Drowned Father and Daughter in the Rio Grande

Body Language Analysis No. 4387: Donald Trump Welcomes Foreign Interference in US Elections 

Body Language Analysis No. 4336: Alita: Battle Angel, Large Eyes, and Sexual Attraction

Body Language Analysis No. 4332: Richard Nixon, Nikita Khrushchev, and The Kitchen Debate

Body Language Analysis No. 4298: LeBron James Walks Out of Post Game Press Conference after Game One Loss

We don't look directly at those individuals whom we don't like, we don't believe, and/or don't respect. A subset of this phenomenon is that sometimes we don't look directly at another person so as to avoid escalation of our own temper - in order to avoid emotional confrontation.

While we all, as human beings, are occasionally vulnerable to the weakness of losing our temper, those with greater emotional intelligence will, by definition, also have greater self-awareness. We recognize these chinks in our armor and take the necessary measures before any negative escalation.

Some people instinctively know (at a subconscious or edge-of-consciousness level) that on some occasions - when our own impulse control is faltering - we become momentarily vulnerable. And, at these times, if we look directly at a person who we don't like, don't believe, and/or don't respect - our own negative emotions may very well crescendo beyond our control. In short, variations on the 'Side Eye' sometimes serve as techniques we use to control our own temper.

Astronauts, in large measure, are chosen because of their superior emotional intelligence. They're not average. They're certainly not emotionally labile. They have 'The Right Stuff'. They have learned to recognize as well as self-regulate their emotions.

The first time I heard the adjective, 'unflappable', it was a description of Neil Armstrong. Armstrong was always cool during emergencies. Fifty years ago today, after an unexpected boulder field necessitated a last-minute course correction, Neil Armstrong landed the Lunar Module on the Earth's Moon with only 17 seconds of fuel to spare. May we all seek to have this same grace under pressure.

Thank you, Neil, Buzz, and Michael - for what you did long ago.




See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4390: Mike Pence visits 'Detention Center' in McAllen, Texas

Body Language Analysis No. 4389: Jeffrey Epstein's Default Expression

Body Language Analysis No. 4388: Donald Trump regarding Drowned Father and Daughter in the Rio Grande

Body Language Analysis No. 4387: Donald Trump Welcomes Foreign Interference in US Elections

Body Language Analysis No. 4386: Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump in Churchill's War Room

Body Language Analysis No. 4385: William Barr Testimony - Part II - Senate Judiciary Committee - 1 May 2019

Body Language Analysis No. 4380: Tiger Woods Wins his first Masters in 14 years

Body Language Analysis No. 4360: GE's CEO Larry Culp's CNBC Interview and Subsequent Stock Sell-off

Body Language Analysis No. 4343: Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Anxiety, and Empathy

On Tuesday 11 December 2018, Donald Trump met with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in the Oval Office. Among many things, President Trump said, "... If we don't get what we want - one way or the other - whether it's through you - through a [sic] military - through anything you wanna call, I will shut down the government, absolutely" and "I am proud to shut down the government ..." as well as "... I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down ...".

A partial shutdown of the federal government began on 12:01 AM on Saturday, 22 December 2018. The reason for shutdown arises from President Trump's insistence on 5 billion dollars to fund a border wall - a demand which the Democrats refuse. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of some of the behavior exhibited during this televised Oval Office meeting.


During 5:33 just after he says, "Nancy, would you like to say something?", the President displays a Tight Tongue Jut - signifying his disdain, disgust, and repulsion for the future Speaker of the House.


During 5:57, just after he repeats Nancy Pelosi's coined nomenclature, "The Trump Shutdown", the President displays a classic contempt expression.


During 6:50, Donald Trump employs a common hyper-dominant nonverbal maneuver when interrupting Nancy Pelosi - an outstretched arm with a finger-spayed-palm-down hand gesture (illustrator).

Note Pelosi's restraint - as she grips her right hand, holding herself back.


A few seconds later (6:55), after interrupting Representative Pelosi multiple times, just after President Trump says "... Nancy, I'd have it passed in two seconds ...", Nancy Pelosi momentarily sequesters all of the fingers on her right hand - save one, her middle finger.

This behavior is an excellent example of what is known as a Partial Emblematic Slip. (Partial, because the straightened middle finger is not in it's usual, full-fledged-arm-held-upright position. Emblematic, because the meaning of an extended middle finger is known the world over. And Slip, because it's a subconscious act).

In this moment, the future Speaker of the House is very much (albeit subconsciously) flipping off the President in the Oval Office.


Beginning at 6:54, Trump says, "It doesn't matter though because we can't get it passed it the Senate because we need ten Democrat votes, that's the problem". Then, during 6:58, as he says the word, "votes", Trump falsely adjusts his suit jacket with his right hand. This signifies the President's anxiety - and more specifically, an anxiety-provoked attempt at alpha up-regulation. Another way to think of this is we are seeing an alpha personality, who is temporarily more beta - and he's trying to dial himself back up to his alpha status. Once again, it's crucial that this is occurring in the Oval Office.


During 7:36, just after President Trump says, "Okay, let me ask you this - and we're doing this in a very friendly manner", Nancy Pelosi displays an insincere mouth smile as she also closes her eyes (eyelids). This is dismissive - and signals strong disagreement with the President's assertion of conducting himself in a "friendly manner".

Note the President uses the contraction, "we're" - when it is him alone who is "doing this". Such language is an excellent paralanguage tell (statement analysis) of what is known as Diffusion of Responsibility or Forced Teaming (de Becker) (a manipulative technique Trump uses often).


Beginning at 8:02, after Pelosi says, "The fact is you do not have the Votes in the House", Trump begins his retort, "Nancy, I do ...". Note that during 8:04, Pelosi's palm-up gesture is simultaneous with Trump's palm-down configuration. Her body language is much more rapport-building - while his nonverbals are rapport destroying.


At 8:14, Trump says, "People are pouring into our country, including terrorists" - he gestures with his index finger (aka forefinger). Notice that other fingers are not fully retracted. This alone demonstrates a lack of conviction.


Then, during 8:17 - 8:18, as he says, "We caught ten terrorists over the last very short period of time", Trump contracts his right index finger, when only seconds before he had been pointing with it with the other fingers curled. This sudden change in dynamic (the complete opposite digit configuration) strongly telegraphs his deception. Trump completely lacks confidence in what he just said as he retracts the most dominant digit of his dominant hand.



During 8:23, Donald Trump extends his right leg moving closer to Nancy Pelosi and sits closer to the edge of his chair. This aggressive posture and alpha dynamic cause her anxiety as she leans away from him and she repositions herself on the sofa.


During 8:33 the President says, "We need border security of which the wall is just a piece, but it's - important". During the end of his sentence ("but it's - important"), Trump displays a hyper-alpha, double index finger point.


And as Nancy Pelosi begins to speak again - he cuts off her response by immediately pointing to Senator Schumer with his right hand saying, "Chuck, did you want to say something?"


After Senator Schumer referenced The Washington Post, President Trump clearly displayed Contempt (8:54 - 8:56).


Donald Trump displays a Forward Lip Purse immediately after Chuck Schumer says, "We do not want to shut down the government" (8:58 - 8:59 - and later during 9:01 - 9:03, 9:16). Note Schumer then uses an Index Finger Point vectored toward the President, as he says, "You have called twenty times to shut down the government ...".

Trump telegraphs his thoughts every time he displays this body language behavior (something he does quite often). A forward lip purse indicates dramatic disagreement which is not being fully verbally expressed. Such disagreement is often quite clandestine. Their plans may be disclosed only a moment later - but often not for days or weeks (or longer). A person who uses a forward lip purse views themselves as the unequivocal alpha in the room. Additionally, anyone who uses this lip dynamic believes that they have a good chance of being successful with their plans.

The take-home lesson: if you see anyone use a forward lip purse - protect your flank.


10:14 - Trump is projecting his hands forward - forming a nonverbal wall between himself and his two adversaries - while Pelosi's hand right hand is open and upward (as she is speaking about keeping the government open) - and Schumer's hands are clasped in frustration.


10:17 - Pelosi then, defensively, pushes back against Trump with a similar palm forward gesture - although with a just a single hand.


11:09 - Trump displays a bilateral False Jacket Adjustment with a simultaneous Loose Tongue Jut. By straightening his suit jacket when it wasn't needed - the President is attempting to up-regulate his alpha status (he feels relatively beta and believes he needs to dial up his alpha). This is very similar behavior to when a gorilla is beating on his chest.


At 11:22 Sarah Huckabee Sanders can be seen displaying Contempt after Senator Schumer says, "and the experts say you can do border security without a wall which is wasteful and doesn't solve the problem."


Beginning at 13:37 Trump continues, "... I also know, that ya know Nancy's in a situation where it's not easy for her to talk right now - and I understand that - and I fully understand that. We're going to have a good discussion and we're going to see what happens ..."

Pelosi responds with, "... Mr. President, please don't characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting ..."  - as she uses a Fingers-Together-Palms-Down gesture (13:54).


Pelosi then segues into an Aggressive/Alpha Index Finger Point as she continues, "... as the leader of the House Democrats" - while the President is simultaneously displaying a mild expression of Contempt.


As Nancy Pelosi says, "... This is about the security of our country. You take an oath to protect and defend and we don't want to have that mischaracterized by anyone ...", she also nonverbally reminds everyone of the Oath as holds her hand upright.

Donald Trump, at the same time, performs another false jacket adjustment (see above) and then crosses his arms in a fist hidden fashion (14:23). Virtually every time Donald Trump crosses his arms, he does so in a hands-hidden fashion - with his hands forming fists. This nonverbal configuration projects a beta soup of emotions:

• Closed-mindedness
• Defensiveness
• Low emotional comfort
• Low confidence

In addition, the President immediately looks downward - the direction of gaze most often displayed during guilt and shame.


Senator Schumer grips his right wrist with his left hand (14:50) in a moment of self-restraint.


As Schumer verbally refutes Trump - he displays what is known as a Pistol Steeple. This nomenclature is accurate not only because the hand configuration physically resembles a gun - but also because it's used when a person is in strong disagreement with another - metaphorically shooting down what they're saying/proposing (as Schumer says, "... No, no, no. Twenty times, twenty times, twenty times, you have called for ...").


Schumer then pounds his right fist onto his left palm as the Senator quotes the President's threats to shut down the government (15:01 - 15:03) if he doesn't get his wall.

Note that this makes Trump feel beta (again, while in the Oval Office) - and his psyche responds with yet another attempt at alpha-upregulation via a false jacket adjustment.


After pointing at Schumer, "You wanna know something? ...", Trump then points at his own chest, "... Okay you want to put that on my ..." (pointing first with his left [less dominant] hand) ...


... and again during 15:07 - although this time he curiously points at his own throat. Throat pointing at oneself implies an ominous omen.


As the President goes on to say, "You know what I'll say, Yes. If we don't get what we want - one way or the other - whether it's through you, through a [sic] military, through anything you wanna call - I will shut down the government - absolutely. And I am proud, and I'll tell ya what. I am proud to shut down the government ...", Schumer again displays a self-restraining wrist grab - thus down-ratcheting his responses.

At first glance, a casual observer may think that Trump is holding his own hands in the same manner as Schumer - however, Trump's hand-clasping-hand display (rather than hand-grabbing-wrist) signifies a completely different set of emotions. The President, while in the Oval Office, is configured in what is known as a Fig-Leaf (aka Genital Guarding). This is a significantly beta posture - for, despite the President's bluster, he feels vulnerable and in need of protection.


The President then goes on to say to Senator Schumer, "I will take the mantle" as well as, "I'm not going to blame you for it".

Throughout this last exchange with Schumer (15:19 - 15:48), Trump holds his upper arms close to each side of his torso. Trump displays this particular nonverbal behavior often - however, here it is particularly glaring. If he had sincere confidence in his statements, the President would hold his upper arms and elbows out several inches. His words do not, at all, match his body language. This beta posture once again betrays Trump's lack of confidence. 

SUMMARY: Donald Trump's nonverbal behavior clearly shows that he does, indeed, believe the wall is important - however, for his own political survival, not for the country's safety. During this Oval Office interaction, the President exhibited multiple beta emotional displays of low confidence, defensiveness, closed-mindedness. He also was being deceptive when said, "We caught ten terrorists over the last very short period of time".

President Trump also fears Representative Pelosi a good bit more than he does Senator Schumer. Moreover, Trump thought Pelosi was the most skilled politician in the Oval Office on that day.

Among other problems, Donald Trump has Impulse Control Disorder. And, whether Senator Schumer realizes it or not, he very much baited the President. Trump took the bait and quickly painted himself into a corner.



See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4364: Vladimir Putin's and Mohammed bin Salman's High Five at the G20

Body Language Analysis No. 4362: Mohammed bin Salman regarding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Body Language Analysis No. 4360: GE's CEO Larry Culp's CNBC Interview and Subsequent Stock Sell-off

Body Language Analysis No. 4358: Donald Trump, Pseudo-Christianity, and the Not-So-Subliminal Cross

Body Language Analysis No. 4356: Donald Trump: "When I can, I tell the truth"

Body Language Analysis No. 4354: Mass Shooting at Pittsburgh Synagogue

Body Language Analysis No. 4352: Donald Trump, Mohammed bin Salman, and Journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Body Language Analysis No. 4350: Ashley Kavanaugh during Brett Kavanaugh's Swearing-in Ceremonies for the Supreme Court

Body Language Analysis No. 4339: Pre-Confession Interview of Murderer, Chris Watts

On 15 May 2018, Aaron Schlossberg, a New York attorney, perpetrated a classic and very public Xenophobic rant in a Fresh Kitchen in Manhattan.

Among other things Mr. Schlossberg said, “My guess is they’re not documented, so my next call is to ICE to have each one of them kicked out of my country,” as well as, “If they have the balls to come here and live off my money — I pay for their welfare. I pay for their ability to be here. The least they can do — the least they can do — is speak English.”

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the above video.



During 0:34, Mr. Schlossberg displays a classic and quite pronounced facial expression of contempt. The emotion of contempt accompanies feelings of superiority - such that another person or group is placed "below" the person who is feeling the contempt.

Aaron Schlossberg's contempt is projecting his feeling that "others" are "less than him" and/or "less than human".



Index finger pointing, particularly when gesturing with a repeating stabbing dynamic - as Mr. Schlossberg is displaying here (0:43) - is a strong indicator that a person may very well be transitioning from verbal anger to physical anger.

If someone gestures like this to you - step slowly back as you raise your hands upward (chest high), palms facing toward them out and say, "You're right, I was wrong, It's cool" - in a conciliatory vocal tone - and with a non-accusatory and acquiescing facial expression.  You may even want to add, "I'm sorry" or "I apologize". Of course, you probably won't agree with any of these statements - but you're trying to de-escalate the situation and avoid a physical altercation. As soon as you're out of sight, call the authorities (Every situation is different - but this tactic will avoid a physical attack the vast majority of the time).



Near the end of the video, Mr. Schlossberg says, "Honey I'm calling ICE". As he says, "ICE" (0:46), he displays a facial expression of Disgust plus Anger. This particular combination of emotions is the most common expression of those individuals perpetrating hate crimes.

SUMMARY: This is not Aaron Schlossberg's first public and racist rant. Other incidents have since come to light. Individuals who display contempt and/or disgust at a higher than normal frequency, with very high likelihood, have Impulse Control Disorder.

Finger stabbing gestures are strong and reliable signals of crescendoing anger and diminishing impulse control - and a red flag for verbal anger morphing to physical anger. Take heed.





See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4285: President Trump regarding Undocumented Immigrants: "These aren't people - these are animals"

Body Language Analysis No. 4283: Unidentified Man with Qatari Ahmed Al-Rumaihi in Trump Tower Elevator on 12 December 2016

Body Language Analysis No. 4281: Michael Cohen's Duplicitous Smile

Body Language Analysis No. 4107 (REPOSTING): Paul Manafort, Robert Mueller, Russian Oligarchs, and Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4278: Jaws - "You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat" - vs. A Real Shark Encounter on a Paddleboard

Body Language Analysis No. 4246: Former senior KGB spy - says he was warned that Sergei Skripal and his daughter were in danger

Body Language Analysis No. 4198: Lupita Nyong'o, Black Panther, and Attention to Detail 

Body Language Analysis No. 4033: Prime Minister Theresa May Regarding Charlottesville Violence, "I see no equivalence" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3731: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part III - "Such a Nasty Woman"

The image above is that of Stephen Paddock - the Las Vegas mass murderer, who, on 1 October 2017, killed 58 and wounded 546 before taking his own life.

The image below is one of his brothers - Bruce Paddock. He was arrested today in Los Angeles on child pornography charges. Intriguingly, the investigation leading to his arrest predated the massacre.

The two brothers share more than their DNA and being raised in the same house. From a body language perspective in these two photos, they both display an element of contempt. On a scale from 1.0 to 10.0, the killer displays a contempt level of approximately a 3.5/10.0 in this image, while his brother's component of contempt in the photo below is about a 2.0/10.0.

Bruce Paddock's face (below) also displays a disgust level of about 2.5/10.0.

We all display contempt and disgust occasionally - hopefully, not too often. And while individuals who display either contempt or disgust (or both) CHRONICALLY will certainly not all become mass shooters (far from it), they will VIRTUALLY ALL have impulse control disorder. Both of these Paddock brothers had/have severe problems with their impulse control.

Summary: The chronic display of Contempt and/or Disgust has a very high correlation with Impulse Control Disorder.



































Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4102: Senator Bob Corker - Donald Trump is an Untruthful President

Body Language Analysis No. 4100: Bryan Cranston and The Eyelid Pull

Body Language Analysis No. 4098: President Trump and Puerto Rico's Governor Ricardo Rosselló - A Candid Moment in the Oval Office

Body Language Analysis No. 4096: President Trump Refutes Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson's Account Of Call To Soldier’s Widow

Body Language Analysis No. 4076: Roger Stone Speaks to the Press after House Intelligence Committee Testimony

Body Language Analysis No. 4058: Cara Mund, Miss America 2018

Body Language Analysis No. 3978: Keanu Reeves, Chuck Spadina, Sincerity, and Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3768: Cuban Leader Fidel Castro Dies

Body Language Analysis No. 4082: Brother of Stephen Paddock (Las Vegas Shooter)


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Certainly not all people who have impulse control disorder are sexual predators - far from it - however, a very high percentage of sexual predators have impulse control disorder.

In the last several days, Harvey Weinstein has had numerous allegations of sexual harassment and even rape raised against him.























From a nonverbal perspective, Mr. Weinstein exhibits a profoundly important red flag. He CHRONICALLY displays a facial expression of contempt.

There are several expressions of contempt, the most common of which, is colloquially described as a "snarl". The area above the lip and below the nose on one side of the face is contracted and it's accompanied by the flaring of the nostril on that same side.

While we all feel contempt on occasion, those individuals who experience it - and thus make the face of contempt CHRONICALLY - will virtually all have impulse control disorder. The same is true for the emotion of disgust.

All three of these facial expressions are examples of a contempt display.


























Summary:  Those individuals who display contempt and/or disgust on a chronic basis have a very high incidence of impulse control disorder - and a high percentage of sexual predators will also have impulse control disorder.



Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4089: Donald Trump's Reaction to Bob Corker's World War III Comment

Body Language Analysis No. 4087: Harrison Ford Accidentally Punches Ryan Gosling in the Face - Blade Runner 2049

Body Language Analysis No. 4085: Donald Trump's "Calm Before the Storm" Comment

Body Language Analysis No. 4083: President Trump, Puerto Rico, and Meeting San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz

Body Language Analysis No. 4075: Equifax Chairman and CEO Richard F. Smith Steps Down After Massive Hack/Data Breach

Body Language Analysis No. 4063: The Murder of Laci and Connor Peterson - Scott Peterson

Body Language Analysis No. 4052: Hitler's Cryptorchidism and Emotional Dissonance

Body Language Analysis No. 4001: Jodie Whittaker, Dr. Who, and Flirting from a TARDIS 

Body Language Analysis No. 3944: Dwayne Johnson, The 2020 Presidential Election, and The Rock Dialing Up His Alpha


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