Body Language and U. S.
Presidential Elections
J. J. Tecce
Boston College
Social Science Librarians Boot Camp
Tufts University
June 1, 2012
tecce@bc.edu
PPT Slides
Elections Report
Outline
•I. Body Language: Unspoken Communication
•
A. What is body language?
•
B. Why do we need body language?
•II. Functions of Body Language
•
A. Indicator of thoughts and feelings
•
B. Social Cue
•III. Eye Movements
•
A. Eyeblinks
•
B. Gaze aversion
•IV. U. S. Presidential Elections
•V. Demonstration DVD
•VI. Summary and Conclusions
Body Language
Communication
without words
Two Functions of
Body Language
Indicator
Social Cue
Words are not enough
in communication.
Words can be weak and need
enrichment.
Words can be misleading
(lying) and need correction.
BODY INDICATORS
posture
self-touching
body movements
smiles
eye movements
Extremes in body language
are red flags.
Body Language
of
Eye Movements
A little philosophy
When the eyes say one thing
and the tongue another, the
practiced person relies on
the language of the first.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
1803-1882
A little science
Negative Hedonia and
Increased Blink Rate
Variables
Examples
Stress
Probing interview, failure, discussion
of illness, embarrassment, listening to
a tragic story, noise
Effort
Induced muscle tension
Fatigue
Time on task, tryptophan
Pain
Electric shock
Positive Hedonia and
Decreased Blink Rate
Variables
Examples
Relaxation
Post-hypnosis, self-initiated thoughts,
daydreaming, meditative trance
Pleasure
Methadone
Contentment Discussion of positive feelings
(towards spouse)
Achievement Feeling of achievement in learning
Summary of Research:
Blink Rate and Hedonia
Variable
Blink Rate
Negative Hedonia
Increase
Positive Hedonia
Decrease
Blink-Hedonia Hypothesis
Eyeblink frequency is
increased by unpleasant
feelings and is decreased by
pleasant feelings.
Eye Movements
Indicators of stress
Eye Movements
Eyeblinks
Gaze avoidance
Blink Rates and Stress Levels
While Talking on Camera
Stress Level
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Rate (bpm)
10 - 30
31 - 50
51 - 70
71 - 100
Blink Rates
U.S. Presidential Election
2008
Blink Rate
McCain
Obama
104
62
Number of Blinks
U.S. Presidential Election
2008
McCain
Obama
Blinks
10,037
6,244
Video 1
Barack Obama
John McCain
Mitt Romney
U. S. Presidential Candidates
2008
Blink Rate
McCain
Obama
Romney
140
60
16
Blink Frequency and
U. S. Presidential Elections
Year Faster Blinker
1960
Nixon
1980
Carter
1984
Mondale
1988
Dukakis
1992
Bush
1996
Dole
2000
Bush
2004
Kerry
2008
McCain
Loser
Nixon
Carter
Mondale
Dukakis
Bush
Dole
Gore
Kerry
McCain
Conclusion
Blink frequency is an accurate
predictor of U. S. Presidential
election outcomes.
Social Cue Hypothesis
In social situations, blinking can
influence how one person views the
other.
Gaze Aversion
Clemens
Obama
LIAR
18
16
(1,630)
Video 2
Roger Clemens
Conclusions
1. Blink frequency is increased by negative hedonic
states and is decreased by positive hedonic states.
2. The blink-hedonia hypothesis best explains research
findings on blinking and psychological functions.
Q&A
Eyeblink Rates and Levels of Stress
J. J. Tecce
February 5, 1996
Talking
On Camera
Stress Level
Blink Rate*
No
No
Low
15 - 20
Yes
No
Low-Moderate
21 - 30
Yes
Yes
Moderate-High
31 - 50
Yes
Yes
High
51 - 70
Yes
Yes
Very High
71 – 140
* Numerical values represent blinks per minute. According to the hedonia hypothesis, higher
blink rates reflect negative feelings, such as those that occur during greater mental effort (as
in talking) or during stress (as in talking to a large audience, being on camera, or being asked
an anxiety-producing question)
(Tecce, 1992, McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science and Technology).
Lying
No
Yes
Inactive
Active
Body Language