Psychologists Just Explained What Trump Is Doing When He Shakes Someone's Hand

One of the most fascinating subplots of Donald Trump's Presidency is the absolutely bonkers way he shakes hands. The latest chapter was created this past Thursday, May 25th, when Emmanuel Macron, the newly elected President of France, saw Trump's signature handshake coming and beat it at its own game. With world leaders now actively preparing for Trump's uncomfortable greeting, psychologists have decided to set the record straight on why they think Trump doesn't shake hands like a normal person.

Later, during that same visit, Trump demonstrated his trademark handshake style: he'll offer his half-open hand after signaling a  handshake is expected (in this case, requesting an uncalled for handshake from King Phillipe of Belgium). Then, when the hand is given,  he'll yank it uncomfortably towards himself, forcing Trump's "victim" to extend their arms and turn their body into an uncomfortable position.

Later, during that same visit, Trump demonstrated his trademark handshake style: he'll offer his half-open hand after signaling a  handshake is expected (in this case, requesting an uncalled for handshake from King Phillipe of Belgium). Then, when the hand is given,  he'll yank it uncomfortably towards himself, forcing Trump's "victim" to extend their arms and turn their body into an uncomfortable position.

Trump will also avoid a normal "shake," instead moving his arm in a strange back-and-forth motion (as if he were sawing wood) while twisting his counterparts hand into odd positions and using his other hand to clasp the shake in place. All together, it makes for one of the  strangest greetings in the political sphere. Why does Trump do it?

Florin Dolcos, a University of Illinois associate psychology professor and faculty member at the Beckman Institute’s Cognitive  Neuroscience Group, helps explain Trump's strange habit:

"It goes  down to asserting dominance. Why he wants to do that? I don’t know. It  looks, to me, like he is trying too hard…. It looks ridiculous."

Frank Bernieri, an associate professor in the psychology department at Oregon State University, who has written on the influence of the handshake, commented:

"It’s an intimidation tactic. There are self-preservation strategies and  intimidation is one of the main ones. This is perfectly consistent with Trump. He pretty much says that’s what I do to make a deal."

The handshake as a power move has been mythologized in film and popularized in the world of business. But Howard Friedman, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior and a professor in  the psychology department at the University of California, has doubts  about its effectiveness: 

"Such attempts would usually be ineffective because the main point of a handshake is to establish a sense of mutuality and mutual respect.

[S]omeone who uses or attempts to use such a power or intimidation handshake either 1) already has the power and would also simultaneously be employing other status signals like elevated height, invasive touching, higher-status clothing, and other dominance cues from face, voice, gaze, and posture; or 2) is misjudging the likely reactions of the other person and/or the audience."

The strangest part is that Trump reportedly hates shaking hands! He has called such greetings “barbaric” and “one of the curses of American society.” He is a rumored germaphobe who dispenses Purell sanitizer.

The psychologists all seem to agree that, unlike other politicians who shake hands to show respect or win votes, Trump uses his handshake to assert his alpha-ness by putting his counterpart on the defensive from the first moment. Also, they all seem to agree he's a weirdo for doing so.

http://www.distractify.com/trending/2017/05/29/Z1X7qtj/psychologists-trump-shakes-hand?utm_content=inf_10_53_2&tse_id=INF_b75c503044b111e780b645b806a7020f

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYZ6hK7QMP0

https://vgy.me/BrfehJ.png

http://33sm.net16.net/smileys/chuckle002.gif

Panther sees sexual assault as a laughing matter.

Oh dear.

So much amusement, from such tiny hands.

:)

greggerypeccary wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 11:37am:

Panther sees sexual assault as a laughing matter. Oh dear.

There are some seriously dangerous ideas about women on this forum.

https://s.yimg.com/iu/api/res/1.2/0dAmdTicWtRDZCZuhTsOxg--~B/YXBwaWQ9eXZpZGVvOzY1Njt4PTY1Njtyb3RhdGU9YXV0bw--/https://s.yimg.com/ea/img/-/170215/58a376a47cbbc_977hero_land_trym.jpg

https://i.imgflip.com/1fd3pl.jpg

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/28/politics/emmanuel-macron-donald-trump/

I love the look on their faces when they've got their hands back. Shinzo Abe's struggling not to look mortified. Theresa May's struggling to get her hand back - in the nicest possible way.

Good work, Mother. You've brought to our attention Mr Trump's negotiating tactic. It's not information gathering, not being on top of his brief, and not even knowing his opponent. It's his handshake.

Not bad for a germophobe. When you've been given lemons, make lemonade, no? 

Lol, what do psychologists say about evil smokers: ooooooooh la la  ;D ;D

It's not that Mr. Trump is a germophobe per se; rather he spends an inordinate amount of time grabbing pussies. You know, anything.

He's just being hygienic.

mothra wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 2:40pm:

It's not that Mr. Trump is a germophobe per se; rather he spends an inordinate amount of time grabbing pussies. You know, anything. He's just being hygienic.

Are you a garden variety woman?
;)

TheFunPolice wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 2:50pm:

mothra wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 2:40pm: It's not that Mr. Trump is a germophobe per se; rather he spends an inordinate amount of time grabbing pussies. You know, anything. He's just being hygienic. Are you a garden variety woman? ;)

No. I'm a nasty woman ... ;)

Going physical from the get go is a very nuanced technique.
If done from the right "frame" it is a very powerful technique.
It can be used to create attraction and to demonstrate that a guy is confident, un stifled and fun.
It can be used to create confusion, put the other person into "your" frame and give you the upper hand.

In any interaction one person is at the cause and one at the effect.
One is in action and one in reaction.

The person at the cause or at the action has an enormous advantage IF he has a purpose in life and a North Star. If he remains Icey and slightly indifferent after establishing dominance, he will probably win.

I saw this recently on CNN.

A reporter got owned and was soon supplicating to the trump camp. And the colder and more awkward trump made it the more she back pedalled.

Trump is a success and his techniques speak for themselves.
He has become one of the most powerful men to ever walk the planet.
Meanwhile mothra and gweggy think power is a few silly gif's on an obscure forum.
I will study trump and see what works,
This should help me on my journey up the pyramid. They should do likewise because their lives are sort of a train wreck

aquascoot wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 3:15pm:

I will study trump and see what works

Lying and cheating seems to do the trick.

aquascoot wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 3:15pm:

Going physical from the get go is a very nuanced technique. If done from the right "frame" it is a very powerful technique. It can be used to create attraction and to demonstrate that a guy is confident, un stifled and fun. It can be used to create confusion, put the other person into "your" frame and give you the upper hand. In any interaction one person is at the cause and one at the effect. One is in action and one in reaction. The person at the cause or at the action has an enormous advantage IF he has a purpose in life and a North Star. If he remains Icey and slightly indifferent after establishing dominance, he will probably win. I saw this recently on CNN. A reporter got owned and was soon supplicating to the trump camp. And the colder and more awkward trump made it the more she back pedalled. Trump is a success and his techniques speak for themselves. He has become one of the most powerful men to ever walk the planet. Meanwhile mothra and gweggy think power is a few silly gif's on an obscure forum. I will study trump and see what works, This should help me on my journey up the pyramid. They should do likewise because their lives are sort of a train wreck

You'll have to really work at it to be like Trump, Horse Boy. He is an international laughing stock.

You've only managed to be a laughing stock on an anonymous forum.

Very low vibrational.

greggerypeccary wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 3:22pm:

aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 3:15pm: I will study trump and see what works Lying and cheating seems to do the trick.

Ang gabbing women by their pussies with tiny hands.

That's important. Very alpha.

greggerypeccary wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 3:22pm:

aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 3:15pm: I will study trump and see what works Lying and cheating seems to do the trick.

You should be President.

rhino wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 3:55pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 3:22pm: aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 3:15pm: I will study trump and see what works Lying and cheating seems to do the trick. You should be President.

I am.

aquascoot wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 3:15pm:

He has become one of the most powerful men to ever walk the planet.

That's true, Aquascoot, but I think we've moved beyond personal ambition and into what Mr Trump can do for his loyal subjects.

The handshake and the steely glare might have worked on the way up, but we're now talking about how it works with fellow world leaders. Do Mr Trump's techniques on the narrow path to success help him influence the G7? China? Israel and Palestine? 

We're all studying Mr Trump to see what works, Aquascoot, but we're starting to see not much working.

Please let us know the outcome of your study.

aquascoot wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 3:15pm:

Going physical from the get go is a very nuanced technique. If done from the right "frame" it is a very powerful technique. It can be used to create attraction and to demonstrate that a guy is confident, un stifled and fun. It can be used to create confusion, put the other person into "your" frame and give you the upper hand. In any interaction one person is at the cause and one at the effect. One is in action and one in reaction. The person at the cause or at the action has an enormous advantage IF he has a purpose in life and a North Star. If he remains Icey and slightly indifferent after establishing dominance, he will probably win. I saw this recently on CNN. A reporter got owned and was soon supplicating to the trump camp. And the colder and more awkward trump made it the more she back pedalled. Trump is a success and his techniques speak for themselves. He has become one of the most powerful men to ever walk the planet. Meanwhile mothra and gweggy think power is a few silly gif's on an obscure forum. I will study trump and see what works, This should help me on my journey up the pyramid. They should do likewise because their lives are sort of a train wreck

more likely down the rabbit hole. Damn, you are quite the idiot.

Big Donger wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 4:04pm:

aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 3:15pm: He has become one of the most powerful men to ever walk the planet. That's true, Aquascoot, but I think we've moved beyond personal ambition and into what Mr Trump can do for his loyal subjects. The handshake and the steely glare might have worked on the way up, but we're now talking about how it works with fellow world leaders. Do Mr Trump's techniques on the narrow path to success help him influence the G7? China? Israel and Palestine?  We're all studying Mr Trump to see what works, Aquascoot, but we're starting to see not much working. Please let us know the outcome of your study.

It's fascinating to me that people like Trump and , dare I say Rupert Murdoch are hated on by all the people who never take any action, never risk anything and are permanent arm chair critics. I'm sure it is all about the preservation of ego of the person stuck in mediocrity,
Life is so short.

Hating the rich and powerful is the consolation prize for being a failure.

When I hear rupert at age 80 is still trying to buy B sky B, man I am inspired.
Never lose momentum, never stop, the journey is the reward. If you think trump and Murdoch are STILL motivated by money you are out of your mind. They are motivated by that awesome feeling you get from being on your path and never wavering. They inspire me so much, I start to get misty eyed.

aquascoot wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 6:19pm:

Big Donger wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 4:04pm: aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 3:15pm: He has become one of the most powerful men to ever walk the planet. That's true, Aquascoot, but I think we've moved beyond personal ambition and into what Mr Trump can do for his loyal subjects. The handshake and the steely glare might have worked on the way up, but we're now talking about how it works with fellow world leaders. Do Mr Trump's techniques on the narrow path to success help him influence the G7? China? Israel and Palestine?  We're all studying Mr Trump to see what works, Aquascoot, but we're starting to see not much working. Please let us know the outcome of your study. It's fascinating to me that people like Trump and , dare I say Rupert Murdoch are hated on by all the people who never take any action, never risk anything and are permanent arm chair critics. I'm sure it is all about the preservation of ego of the person stuck in mediocrity, Life is so short. Hating the rich and powerful is the consolation prize for being a failure. When I hear rupert at age 80 is still trying to buy B sky B, man I am inspired. Never lose momentum, never stop, the journey is the reward. If you think trump and Murdoch are STILL motivated by money you are out of your mind. They are motivated by that awesome feeling you get from being on your path and never wavering. They inspire me so much, I start to get misty eyed.

hey fool... in case you didnt know (and clearly you dont know), 60% of americans DESPISE trump and that includes a pile of people much more successful than Trump - the 4time bankrupt that no one in American will lend to or work with.

you are an idiot, horseboy which is why you are in the dregs yourself.

aquascoot wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 6:19pm:

Big Donger wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 4:04pm: aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 3:15pm: He has become one of the most powerful men to ever walk the planet. That's true, Aquascoot, but I think we've moved beyond personal ambition and into what Mr Trump can do for his loyal subjects. The handshake and the steely glare might have worked on the way up, but we're now talking about how it works with fellow world leaders. Do Mr Trump's techniques on the narrow path to success help him influence the G7? China? Israel and Palestine?  We're all studying Mr Trump to see what works, Aquascoot, but we're starting to see not much working. Please let us know the outcome of your study. It's fascinating to me that people like Trump and , dare I say Rupert Murdoch are hated on by all the people who never take any action, never risk anything and are permanent arm chair critics. I'm sure it is all about the preservation of ego of the person stuck in mediocrity, Life is so short. Hating the rich and powerful is the consolation prize for being a failure. When I hear rupert at age 80 is still trying to buy B sky B, man I am inspired. Never lose momentum, never stop, the journey is the reward. If you think trump and Murdoch are STILL motivated by money you are out of your mind. They are motivated by that awesome feeling you get from being on your path and never wavering. They inspire me so much, I start to get misty eyed.

Murdoch's not allowed to buy B Sky B, Aquascoot, because he was found complicit in the biggest media scandal in history. News Ltd was found guilty of hacking tens of thousands of ordinary citizens like you and moi, along with every major UK politician and even the queen.

Narrow road to success, innit.

Big Donger wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 8:35pm:

aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 6:19pm: Big Donger wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 4:04pm: aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 3:15pm: He has become one of the most powerful men to ever walk the planet. That's true, Aquascoot, but I think we've moved beyond personal ambition and into what Mr Trump can do for his loyal subjects. The handshake and the steely glare might have worked on the way up, but we're now talking about how it works with fellow world leaders. Do Mr Trump's techniques on the narrow path to success help him influence the G7? China? Israel and Palestine?  We're all studying Mr Trump to see what works, Aquascoot, but we're starting to see not much working. Please let us know the outcome of your study. It's fascinating to me that people like Trump and , dare I say Rupert Murdoch are hated on by all the people who never take any action, never risk anything and are permanent arm chair critics. I'm sure it is all about the preservation of ego of the person stuck in mediocrity, Life is so short. Hating the rich and powerful is the consolation prize for being a failure. When I hear rupert at age 80 is still trying to buy B sky B, man I am inspired. Never lose momentum, never stop, the journey is the reward. If you think trump and Murdoch are STILL motivated by money you are out of your mind. They are motivated by that awesome feeling you get from being on your path and never wavering. They inspire me so much, I start to get misty eyed. Murdoch's not allowed to buy B Sky B, Aquascoot, because he was found complicit in the biggest media scandal in history. News Ltd was found guilty of hacking tens of thousands of ordinary citizens like you and moi, along with every major UK politician and even the queen. Narrow road to success, innit.

The "revenge of the beta males" at its worst

aquascoot wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 11:42pm:

Big Donger wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 8:35pm: aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 6:19pm: Big Donger wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 4:04pm: aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 3:15pm: He has become one of the most powerful men to ever walk the planet. That's true, Aquascoot, but I think we've moved beyond personal ambition and into what Mr Trump can do for his loyal subjects. The handshake and the steely glare might have worked on the way up, but we're now talking about how it works with fellow world leaders. Do Mr Trump's techniques on the narrow path to success help him influence the G7? China? Israel and Palestine?  We're all studying Mr Trump to see what works, Aquascoot, but we're starting to see not much working. Please let us know the outcome of your study. It's fascinating to me that people like Trump and , dare I say Rupert Murdoch are hated on by all the people who never take any action, never risk anything and are permanent arm chair critics. I'm sure it is all about the preservation of ego of the person stuck in mediocrity, Life is so short. Hating the rich and powerful is the consolation prize for being a failure. When I hear rupert at age 80 is still trying to buy B sky B, man I am inspired. Never lose momentum, never stop, the journey is the reward. If you think trump and Murdoch are STILL motivated by money you are out of your mind. They are motivated by that awesome feeling you get from being on your path and never wavering. They inspire me so much, I start to get misty eyed. Murdoch's not allowed to buy B Sky B, Aquascoot, because he was found complicit in the biggest media scandal in history. News Ltd was found guilty of hacking tens of thousands of ordinary citizens like you and moi, along with every major UK politician and even the queen. Narrow road to success, innit. The "revenge of the beta males" at its worst

You approve of Murdoch hacking people?

High vibrational energy, was it?

Rupert is a fantastic Australian success story.
But rupert is at the very pinnacle of the pyramid.
The thing about a pyramid is that most people are always going to be durping around at the bottom.
The only way most of them could imagine becoming successful is if they got very lucky, cheated the system or stomped on heads.
They have no understanding of he sort of relentless masculine energy a guy like rupert has used to propel himself into an upward spiral. They could never understand the growth and core confidence a man like rupert has had to embody.

So they hate him because they could never go on that journey and he fact he did exposes their feebleness and mediocrity. 

Far from taxing the rich, the poor should pay for the privelege of dining with he rich to learn how they did it.

Mothra should save a few thousand and offer to take rich businessmen out for dinner to learn from them.

But I suppose its easier to stay stuck at the bottom with your pitchforks

Was a tough question, hey?

aquascoot wrote on May 31^st, 2017 at 12:38am:

Rupert is a fantastic Australian success story. But rupert is at the very pinnacle of the pyramid. The thing about a pyramid is that most people are always going to be durping around at the bottom. The only way most of them could imagine becoming successful is if they got very lucky, cheated the system or stomped on heads. They have no understanding of he sort of relentless masculine energy a guy like rupert has used to propel himself into an upward spiral. They could never understand the growth and core confidence a man like rupert has had to embody. So they hate him because they could never go on that journey and he fact he did exposes their feebleness and mediocrity.  Far from taxing the rich, the poor should pay for the privelege of dining with he rich to learn how they did it. Mothra should save a few thousand and offer to take rich businessmen out for dinner to learn from them. But I suppose its easier to stay stuck at the bottom with your pitchforks

The poor do pay the privelege. Not only did they give Rupert the Sydney Showground to turn into Fox Studios (for one dollar), they give him the biggest government-sanctioned print monopoly in Australia.

And don't get the poor started on how Murdoch ruined rugby league. I have to listen to that all the time.

mothra wrote on May 30^th, 2017 at 11:46pm:

aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 11:42pm: Big Donger wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 8:35pm: aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 6:19pm: Big Donger wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 4:04pm: aquascoot wrote on May 30th, 2017 at 3:15pm: He has become one of the most powerful men to ever walk the planet. That's true, Aquascoot, but I think we've moved beyond personal ambition and into what Mr Trump can do for his loyal subjects. The handshake and the steely glare might have worked on the way up, but we're now talking about how it works with fellow world leaders. Do Mr Trump's techniques on the narrow path to success help him influence the G7? China? Israel and Palestine?  We're all studying Mr Trump to see what works, Aquascoot, but we're starting to see not much working. Please let us know the outcome of your study. It's fascinating to me that people like Trump and , dare I say Rupert Murdoch are hated on by all the people who never take any action, never risk anything and are permanent arm chair critics. I'm sure it is all about the preservation of ego of the person stuck in mediocrity, Life is so short. Hating the rich and powerful is the consolation prize for being a failure. When I hear rupert at age 80 is still trying to buy B sky B, man I am inspired. Never lose momentum, never stop, the journey is the reward. If you think trump and Murdoch are STILL motivated by money you are out of your mind. They are motivated by that awesome feeling you get from being on your path and never wavering. They inspire me so much, I start to get misty eyed. Murdoch's not allowed to buy B Sky B, Aquascoot, because he was found complicit in the biggest media scandal in history. News Ltd was found guilty of hacking tens of thousands of ordinary citizens like you and moi, along with every major UK politician and even the queen. Narrow road to success, innit. The "revenge of the beta males" at its worst You approve of Murdoch hacking people? High vibrational energy, was it?

And not just hacking - blackmailing the British PM by threatening to go public with his wife's cancer scare if he didn't allow the B Sky B bid.

Money for jam, innit.

I've said it before and i'll say it again.

Rupert Murdoch is the anti-Christ.

mothra wrote on May 31^st, 2017 at 1:41am:

I've said it before and i'll say it again. Rupert Murdoch is the anti-Christ.

For once we agree- he is an evil old bastard-

Agnes wrote on May 31^st, 2017 at 2:01am:

mothra wrote on May 31st, 2017 at 1:41am: I've said it before and i'll say it again. Rupert Murdoch is the anti-Christ. For once we agree- he is an evil old bastard-

We agree on many things, Agnes. You're just choosing not to notice them at the moment.

the things we disagree on are so fundamental that is the sticking point for me-

Agnes wrote on May 31^st, 2017 at 2:18am:

the things we disagree on are so fundamental that is the sticking point for me-

Oh? What would those things be?

:)

Panther wrote on May 31^st, 2017 at 4:43pm:

:)

goody goody: gossip  :D :D :D :D