Political Non-verbal Discourse and Lying Detection Techniques for Psycholinguistic Purposes: A Diagnostic Perspective
Mohammad Awad Al Dawoody Abdulaal1, Mohamed Ali Mohamed Kassem21Department of English Language, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; Department of English, Faculty of Arts, Port Said University, Egypt
2College of Science & Humanities in Alkharj, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, Faculty of Education, New Valley University, Egypt
The aim of this research study is to employ body gestures as a non-verbal means of communication to clarify the psychological aspects of George W. Bush’s character. Bush’s character is chosen for being highly controversial, having received the lowest approval rating in 2008 and the highest approval rating after the September 11 attacks. To attain this aim, a psycholinguistic approach is adopted and three research questions are raised: (a) what are the psycholinguistic interpretations of Bush’s body language? (b) which body gestures are frequently used by Bush while delivering his speeches? and (c) what can body gestures reveal about George W. Bush’s character? The main results of this research study can be summed up in the following points. (1) There are some body gestures used by Bush while delivering his speeches, including (a) excessive blinking, (b) lip licking, (c) stiff controlled hand gestures following natural excessive ones, (d) finger clasping, (e) blushing somber face, (f) palm – down thrust when shaking hands, and (g) closed eyes with crow’s feet, and open eyes with visible bottom teeth. (2) The body gestures mentioned in (a), (b), (c) revealed that a deceptive message was being delivered. (3) Bush happily employed palm – down thrust more than the palm- up thrust because of feeling more superior than the recipient. (4) Bush had two types of smiles: fake and genuine. The genuine smiles were given to those whom he could dominate and control, such as some of the Arab and Western presidents and officials.
Keywords: lying detection techniques, body cues, spontaneous speeches, psycholinguisticsCorresponding Author: Mohammad Awad Al Dawoody Abdulaal, Saudi Arabia
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