Lecture on Body Language in Political Campaigns

Introduction

• Importance of body language in presidential campaigns
  • Body language can help or hurt campaigns
  • Subtle gestures can convey messages
• Expert: Janine Driver from the Body Language Institute

Key Candidates Analyzed

Hillary Clinton

• Observation: Shoulder Shrugs
  • Shrug indicates uncertainty
  • Seen as problematic when giving definitive statements
  • Example: Multiple shrugs during a speech
• Impact: Cancels out the definitive message
  • Voters subconsciously pick up on this

Donald Trump

• Observation: Hand Movements
  • Frequent, forceful banging of hands
  • Compared to a toy monkey with cymbals
• Impact: Indicates creative thinking and outside-the-box ideas
  • Aligns with his background in real estate and political unorthodoxy

Bernie Sanders

• Observation: Finger Wagging and Palm Down Gestures
  • Finger wagging suggests judgment
  • Palm down gestures are authoritative (similar to police during a raid)
• Impact: Can seem like reprimanding or judgmental
  • Could affect how voters perceive his authority

Marco Rubio

• Observation: Facial Expressions
  • Upper lip raises, eyes wrinkle, nose wrinkles
  • Signs of disgust
• Impact: Congruence between verbal and non-verbal disgust
  • Disgust visible when discussing certain political rumors

Conclusion

• Importance of non-verbal cues
  • Voters respond to body language, often subconsciously
• Misalignment between verbal and non-verbal communication can affect public perception
• Body language provides insight into a candidate's authenticity and intentions