Body Language in Politics By Pam Andes Campaign 2008 Professor Moran Image is Important “Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak.” – Image is a representation – Branding is a feeling attached to an identity – Political candidates see the value in effectively communicating their image to the public Senator Norm Coleman Jesse Ventura Humphrey Hubert III Jesse "The Body" Ventura Actors as Politicians Actors are skilled communicators Actors as Politicians 93% of Communication is Nonverbal Communication 7% of Communication is through actual words whereas 93% is nonverbal communication or in other words, their body language The History Channel’s “The Secrets of Body Language” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HELGcpqHFM Putin/Bush Stride for Power 3:20 – 4:43 Clinton/Ehud Barak/Yasser Arafat Door Games 5:12 - 7:20 Blair/Bush Good Little Boy pat 7:40 – Putin stages the Upper Hand 10:06 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9HYGoi_oI0&NR=1 Putin/Bush Upper Hand Nonverbal Image is Important Politicians realize that Nonverbal Image/Body Language is important Most agree that this began at the Great Debate, 1st televised debate between Kennedy and Nixon. – Nixon just came out of the hospital and lost weight – Nixon was sweating – JFK is considered the visual winner of the debate thought Nixon is considered the audio winner of the debate However, Nixon used television as a strategic medium in his Checkers speech to improve his image at the 1952 Vice Presidency candidacy – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4UEv_jjPL0 Body Language A politician’s body language can easily give him/her away especially under pressure – Ex. Pres. Nixon holds live Press conference Body is defensive hands behind the back, with open front but he’s doing a self touch gesture meaning that “ok I can get through this” “I am not a crook” yet his body goes back or retreats showing that they are not telling the truth, they are moving back away from that lie Crossing the arms – is to protect himself Showing anxiety Is Image Everything? Managing Politician Images (Mark Jeffries consultant) – Must be comfortable in front of people – Actor’s training is helpful – But is Image everything? Too coached? Gestures don’t match the voice Hillary is seen as overcoached at times http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRbBJi 0jfdU * “The Body Politic” by David Wallis, Brandweek; 3/31/2008 How to Read Body Language 1. 2. 3. 4. Body Gestures Norming Facial Expression 1. Microexpression – expressions that come out before you think 2. Facial Coding/Reaction Shots ** 5. Voice * 6. The Laban Movement Analysis * The History Channel’s “Secrets of Body Language” ** “The Body Politic” by David Wallis, Brandweek; 3/31/2008 How to Read Body Language The Laban Movement Analysis – The Laban Movement is a group of dance teachers, therapists and others who are schooled in the techniques of Rudolf Laban. – They study dance, acting, physical therapy as well as politicians’ bodily movement – These Certified Movement Analysts discuss Hillary’s use of the vertical plane by holding her head straight during the debats and of “descending movements” such as her signature “slicing motion” which can suggest “clarity and sense of priority of issues” – These CMAs also discuss Obama’s Flow and how he held a baby within his face range to exemplify true connection with people *”The Way They Move” by Lizzie Widdiecombe, New Yorker; 6/23/2008 Reading Body Language Body language has become increasingly important in American Politics that it is not difficult to find commentary on a candidate’s body language Hillary Clinton’s attracted a lot of attention with her nodding head and steepling http://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=QD90wgS8VDo&feature =related However, Laban CMAs believe the “nodding vigorously” was not very smart and she has toned it down along with her facial expressions. How to Read Body Language According to Lizzie WIddiecombe’s article, “The Way they Move” (New Yorker; 6/23/08), these signals have been analyzed in this year’s election: John McCain’s leaning on podium can be seen as “I need ..support” according to Janine Driver on ABC. Finger pointing is “tough guy” approach according to Tonya Reiman on Fox though many perceive it as a negative Use gestures within the “power zone” which is inside the shoulders. Hillary effectively gestures in the Feb. 21st Debate by using 16 different facial and hand gestures within 3 minutes.* Obama’s “ok” formation of a circle with the tip of the index finger and the thumb while the pinkie, ring and middle fingers curve together below the circle.* * “The Body Politic” by David Wallis, Brandweek; 3/31/2008 Can Politicians Cry? Sen. Edmund Muskie’s run for President in 1972 – Nixon’s dirty tricks spread rumors about Muskie’s wife – Ed Muskie defended his wife in a public statement during a snowstorm where reporters claimed he cried. – This claim created an image of him that he was weak. – Muskie withdrew his candidacy afterwards. Hillary Clinton is seen holding back tears – Is the moment sincere? Or practiced? See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdRyLDIene4&feature=related How to Read Body Language According to Karla Reed’s Article, “Reading Political Body Language”, below are a few signals to look for Body Language of the Eyes – Blinking slowly – indicates lost of interest – Blinking excessively – possible indicator of lying or increase in stress level – Rolling eyes upward – a sign of disagreement – Avoiding eye contact – a sign of lying, guilt, uncomfortable – Staring without interruption – an act of threat How to Read Body Language Arm Related Body language – Arms crossed in front of body – this stance provides self comfort – Arms on hips with elbows turned outward (known as “arms akimbo”) This establishes dominance or has issues with the situation. – Arms clasped behind back (known as “Regal or Royal Stance”) – signals for people not to come near. Example – Nixon’s “I’m not a crook” speech How to Read Body Language Body Language of the Hands – Wringing of the Hands – indicates insecurity – Spreading of the fingers and hands indicates territorial, confidence, authority – Folding of hands with thumbs popped up – subject has something positive to say – Folding of hands with thumbs coming down – subject is talking about something How to Read Body Language Foot and Leg Related Body language Signals – Crossing of legs – indicates comfort with surroundings and/or current situation – Wiggling or bouncing of feet – this is a self pacifying movement – Exaggerated kicking movements of feet while legs crossed – subject is considering something negative – Pointing up of the toes – signals a positive emotion, a great mood How to Read Body Language Decoding Body Stature – Body lean towards another person – a positive signal, one likes the other Example: Bill Clinton in the 1992 Town Hall Debate when Ross Perot spoke – Body lean away from another (sudden or steady) – one dislikes the other – Leaning back in a chair with legs spread out this is a display of territory which is a sign of disrespect especially in the workplace when positioned against a superior How to Read Body Language Body language and eyeglasses – Removal of glasses – signals need for further discussion and/or thought or signals dismay at that point of discussion – Glasses in mouth – signifies a peaked level of interest. Subject may be contemplating or making a decision. – Placing glasses on head – this allows a pause, buys time or change in mood. – Sliding glasses down on nose – this usually indicates a heightened level of scrutiny towards another peron. How to Read Body Language Other Body Signals – Clearing of the throat and/or twitching the subject is feeling insecure Example: Al Gore sighing during the 2000 Bush Debate – Picking at clothing – a strong signal of boredom – Touching the nose – subject is hiding something – Touching the neck – signals concern, insecurity and a threatened feeling Voice Voice – Tone Example of 2 parents with missing children were reviewed without visual imagery by college students – Voice of mother who actually killed her children convinced students that she sincerely missed her children – Voice of innocent father failed to convince students that he was sincere in missing his children – Dissecting the sound Possible to analyze voice recording with some scientific precision called LVA, Layered Voice Analysis Conclusion Can image be a Primary factor over Content? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z nxGveGrSTg&feature=related For Journal Research, http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2007/articles/1014.htm “The Visual Byte: Bill Clinton and the Town Hall Meeting Style”
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