Research has found that only 7% of communication is expressed by words. The rest consists of audio codes (38%) and body language (55%). This means that nonverbal communication is a fundamental aspect of communication and it is used mostly unconsciously – but continuously.

This week’s video of Arlene Foster reacting to resignation of Martin McGuiness was a great example of not only words being said, but also how the message was said.

The clothing was appropriate with expected crown brooch to show connection with British loyalism and topped up with a red shirt. Red is an aggressive colour that can make us feel passionate or angry. Politicians choose red to make you think they are decisive, bold, assertive, and powerful.

Arlene’s hands are positioned from the start in an odd semi-fist; the clasping hands position makes her look uncomfortable or nervous.

While referring to her recent apology her hands move down with the palms facing inward, which can express the will of taking control. The hands slowly move down into a clasping position, which is often interpreted as the projection of confidence or authority. However, it can also reveal something entirely different: frustration or stress.

Further on, Foster moves her hands into an upright palms position, moving up and down as if striving for or seeking an answer when she is talking about looking for solutions. The hands move back down for a while with slight thumb movements as sign of nervousness.

Foster pointed at herself with both hands, which was a normal unconscious, or planned, reaction to her own words. They then move to slight open palm position with thumbs pointing up, which can be seen as defensive movement, and it moves to quick completely open palm position to show truthfulness, referring to Sinn Féin not letting her calling for RHI inquiry.

Thereafter her hands move with palms facing down as a sign or defiance or firm disagreement, criticising Sinn Féin actions for being political, not principled. Her upward facing palms with thumbs up show again when talking about uncertainty of another election.

Foster moves her hands to rest on her leg. Here she is more relaxed with one open hand, while talking about Sinn Féin’s actions and DUP fighting elections. Her finger points at the public (camera) after suggesting this election is not one of her own making, and again pointing out that DUP will always defend unionism. This shows aggression and can appear very confrontational and dictatorial.

Her hands go back down, with slight movement back up and down before entering a resting position. We can notice the finger pointing up to emphasise “this time,” and adding a feeling of authority or power. Her hands rest for a bit and while stating that Northern Ireland does not need an election, her hands move in a waving circular motion to double index finger point at “solutions.” A single index finger point is a very negative gesture across every culture on the planet. A double display is over-the-top.

Overall her posture and gestures are more or less synchronised with her words and only add up to slightly aggressive and arrogant tone. She is looking very straight into the camera, which is generally understood as a sign of truthfulness. Practised political actors know this, and so we viewers can decide for ourselves what to believe.

 

You can watch the full video here for yourself. While you’re at it, you may also like to read Jamie Pow’s article posted yesterday on Northern Slant: ‘Between the lines of Arlene Foster’s fireside address‘.