body language Archives

In the first presidential debate, the shouting drowned out the body language

The first presidential debate of 2020 was unlike any other that Laura Dudley, an assistant clinical professor at Northeastern who specializes in body language, has…

by Cam Sleeper and Khalida Sarwari September 30, 2020

Former special counsel Robert Mueller preferred to express himself with simple answers—“no,” “yes,” or “correct”—whenever possible, says Laura Dudley, a behavioral analyst in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Robert Mueller was a reluctant witness. It really showed in his testimony to Congress.

For more than two years, voters and political leaders alike had been waiting to hear Robert Mueller speak. Throughout his congressional testimony on Wednesday, however, the special counsel appeared as though he wanted no part of the political spectacle.

by Ian Thomsen July 24, 2019

Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, is sworn in to testify before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Was Michael Cohen telling the truth? A body language expert analyzes his testimony.

It’s hard to know for sure, says Laura Dudley, a behavioral analyst at Northeastern. But there is one big “tell” you’ll see when someone is lying, and Michael Cohen didn’t have it.

by Molly Callahan February 28, 2019

President Donald Trump turns to House speaker Nancy Pelosi as he delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, as Vice President Mike Pence watches on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

A body language expert analyzes the ‘Pelosi Clap’ and other highlights from the State of the Union

It was President Donald Trump who delivered the State of the Union address Tuesday, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was the one “who stole the show in terms of people paying attention to body language,” said Laura Dudley, a behavioral analyst at Northeastern University.

by Molly Callahan February 6, 2019

Christine Blasey Ford is sworn in before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 in Washington. Her attorney's Debra Katz and Michael Bromwich watch. (Win McNamee/Pool Image via AP)

A body language expert breaks down the Kavanaugh hearing

Two very different testimonies were on display Thursday before the Senate Judicial Committee. According to Laura Dudley, a Northeastern behavioral analyst who was watching the proceedings, Christine Blasey Ford’s body language belied deep personal trauma. Brett Kavanaugh’s expressed underlying anger.

by Molly Callahan September 27, 2018

President Donald Trump gestures as he finishes his first State of the Union address as Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan applaud. (Win McNamee/Pool via AP)

Did we learn anything from Trump’s body language at SOTU?

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump frequently raised his eyebrows, lifted his chin, and angled his body to his left to face his supporters. What do these nonverbal cues mean? According to Northeastern behavior analyst Laura Dudley, the answer lies in the eye of the beholder.

by Jason Kornwitz February 1, 2018

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