Behind The Rhetoric

Presents the politics of mental health and the mental health of politics or politicians in the United States. Discussion on the politics of policy; Personality analysis of the presidential candidates. INSETS: READING BETWEEN THE LINES; READING THEIR LIPS.

By Sarah Blustain, Christopher Peterson, Fiona Lee, published on September 01, 2000

2. The asymmetrical upper lip raise (AU10; Levator labii superioris) or asymmetrical lip corner tighten (AU14; Buccinator). These actions typically accompany Bush's smile, and account For the smirk.

3. The eyebrow raise (AU 1 + 2; Frentalis, pars medialis; Frontalis, pars lateralis). Bush frequently raises his eyebrows when smiling, which is somewhat unusual (in contrast, Gore often lowers eyebrows).

4. The smile and corner of mouth down (AU15; Depressor anguli otis). Although less frequent, it is interesting that Bush pulls his smile down.

5. Lip funnel (AU22; Orbicularis oris). Interesting because Bush often funnels his lips (almost like a purse) when smiling, which is something of a playful, flirtatious gesture.

Bush

Asymmetrical lip raise and lip corner tighten = mockery, contempt, disdain

Lip funnel = playfulness

Eyebrow raise = interest, submissiveness

Gore

Eyebrows down = concentration, focus on problem, dominance.

Lip press and lip purse = inhibition, constraint

PERSONALITY INRERENCES

Gore

Facial gestures reveal him to be more serious, constrained, controlled, weighty, ponderous, dominant.

Bush

His facial gestures convey that he is less serious, silly, at times contemptuous, though also open to others.

CHARACTERISTIC MIXED FACIAL MESSAGES, INDICATING MORE COMPLEX STATES

Gore

A combination of his pleasurable smile and either:

1. Eyebrow down (A4). Makes his smile look a bit pained or strained.

2. Lip press (AU24). Conveys that he is inhibiting his pleasure.

Bush

The conflict between his smile and asymmetrical lip raise and lip corner tighten (AU10, 14), connotes disdain and contempt alongside his warm smile.

AVERAGE CAUSAL EXPLANATIONS FOR BAD EVENTS BY BUSH (N = 72) AND GORE (N = 70)

Legend for Chart:

A - CHARACTERISTIC

B - RANGE

C - MEAN SCORE FOR BUSH

D - MEAN SCORE FOR GORE

A B C D

stability-instability 1-7 4.10 4.30

globality-specificity 1-7 4.01 4.22

[*]internality-externality 1-7 5.37 5.96

composite pessimism-optimism

(instability+specificity+externality) 1-7 4.49 4.82

[*]vagueness 1-7 4.07 3.44

[*]spin 1-7 3.21 2.23

[*]cognitive complexity 1-7 1.27 1.69

[*] different worth regarding as statistically meaningful

Why's his smile upside down?

PHOTO (COLOR): Eyebrows down show dominance.

PHOTO (COLOR): Eyebrows up show submissiveness.

PHOTO (COLOR): Do tight lips men tight-lipped?

PHOTO (COLOR): Is he presidential material?

PHOTO (COLOR): The Bush smirk.

Adapted by Ph.D. and Ph.D.

Sarah Blustain is associate editor of Lilith magazine and a journalist in New York

Christopher Peterson, Ph.D., is professor of psychology and director of clinical training at the University of Michigan

Fiona Lee, Ph.D., is assistant professor of psychology and assistant professor of organizational behavior and human resource management at the School of Business at the University of Michigan.