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O'Toole MS, Michalak J. Embodied cognitive restructuring: The impact of posture and movement on changing dysfunctional attitudes. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2024; 84:101955. [PMID: 38428361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2024.101955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Previous theoretical and empirical work has pointed to the important role of the body in emotion generation and emotion regulation. In the present study, we wanted to investigate if the performance of certain body postures and movement could facilitate cognitive restructuring of dysfunctional cognitive attitudes more effectively than traditional, verbal-only methods. METHODS In total, 130 participants were randomized to one of two groups. One group was subjected to cognitive restructuring (i.e., restructure only group; CR-only), verbally exploring a dysfunctional attitude from a curious, strong, and courageous perspective. The other group received the same verbal instructions but in addition to this, was asked to perform different bodily exercises (i.e., motor-enhanced restructuring group; M-CR) supposed to enhance experience of the different perspectives from which cognitive restructuring was employed. RESULTS Results confirmed the primary hypothesis, showing that the M-CR-group showed a larger decline in belief in dysfunctional attitudes compared with the CR-only group (F = 4.2, p = 0.041, d = 0.25). No differences on secondary outcomes were observed between the two groups. LIMITATIONS Future research should explore the effects of motor-enhanced CR both more long-term (e.g., durability over weeks) and in clinical samples (e.g., anxiety and depression). CONCLUSION Should the findings be replicated in clinical samples, it is encouraging that simple bodily exercises can enhance the effect of one of the most central skills of cognitive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S O'Toole
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
| | - J Michalak
- Department für Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
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Mikkelsen MB, Tramm G, Michalak J, Mennin DS, Elkjær E, O'Toole MS. Bodies in action: Do contractive and expansive postures facilitate adaptive behavior? Scand J Psychol 2024. [PMID: 38877602 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.13046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of expansive and contractive body displays on adaptive behavior and affective outcomes. Addressing limitations in past research, the effects were investigated in two different contexts (i.e., fear context and sadness context), compared with two types of control conditions and the moderating effects of motivational traits and symptoms of psychopathology were accounted for. A sample of 186 adults completed a fear experiment involving a mock job interview and a sadness experiment involving sad mood induction. For each experiment, participants were randomly assigned to one of four body manipulations: (1) expansive; (2) contractive; (3) active control (i.e., running in place); or 4) passive control (i.e., doing nothing). The primary outcome was adaptive behavior (i.e., appropriate job-interview behavior and positive recall bias). Secondary affective outcomes were emotions, action tendencies, and appraisals. Results revealed small, non-significant effects of body displays on primary outcomes (ds = 0.19-0.28). For secondary outcomes, significant effects were identified for positive emotions (ds = 0.33). Across secondary outcomes, pairwise comparisons revealed that expansive displays led to more favorable outcomes than contractive displays. For participants with the highest levels of depression, body display conditions led to less favorable affective outcomes than control conditions. The results suggest that body displays do not influence adaptive behavior within the investigated contexts. When compared to contractive displays, expansive displays were found to yield more favorable affective changes. Lastly, the findings indicate that further investigations into body manipulations in the context of psychopathology are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai B Mikkelsen
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gitte Tramm
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Johannes Michalak
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Douglas S Mennin
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Emma Elkjær
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mia S O'Toole
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Ivanec D, Stanke KM, Tomić I, Matijaš S. Dominance-submissiveness cues modulate pain threshold for mechanical pressure. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2023; 76:2371-2378. [PMID: 36420810 DOI: 10.1177/17470218221143759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Acute pain sensation is an inherently negative but adaptive experience; however, research on pain sensitivity shows that simple contextual cues can effectively attenuate the pain. In this study, we sought to investigate how dominance cues, manipulated as vertical spatial (i.e., height) distance between participants and experimenter, affect participants' pain sensitivity. Positioning participants in a spatially higher position relative to the experimenter was aimed to induce a feeling of dominance in participants. Conversely, a feeling of submissiveness was induced by placing the experimenter in a spatially higher position. In addition, we examined the role of dominance cues with respect to participants' and experimenters' gender. Two separate studies were conducted-Study 1 with a male experimenter measuring pain threshold in female and male participants (N = 137), and Study 2 with a female experimenter conducting pain measurement in a new sample of female and male participants (N = 122). The results of both studies demonstrated that participants in a dominant position reported a higher pain threshold relative to participants in a submissive position. Male participants had a higher pain threshold in both studies; however, Study 1 revealed a significant interaction of dominance manipulation and participant's gender, with the effect of dominance cues being larger in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragutin Ivanec
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Koraljka Modić Stanke
- Department of Psychology, Social Work Study Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Tomić
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanja Matijaš
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Metzler H, Vilarem E, Petschen A, Grèzes J. Power pose effects on approach and avoidance decisions in response to social threat. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286904. [PMID: 37594940 PMCID: PMC10437884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals' opportunities for action in threatening social contexts largely depend on their social power. While powerful individuals can afford to confront aggressors and dangers, powerless individuals need others' support and better avoid direct challenges. Here, we investigated if adopting expansive or contracted poses, which signal dominance and submission, impacts individuals' approach and avoidance decisions in response to social threat signals using a within-subject design. Overall, participants more often chose to avoid rather than to approach angry individuals, but showed no clear approach or avoidance preference for fearful individuals. Crucially, contracted poses considerably increased the tendency to avoid angry individuals, whereas expansive poses induced no substantial changes. This suggests that adopting power-related poses may impact action decisions in response to social threat signals. The present results emphasize the social function of power poses, but should be replicated before drawing strong conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Metzler
- Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, (LNC2), INSERM Unit 960, Department of Cognitive Studies, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, Paris, France
- Institute for Globally Distributed Open Research and Education
| | - Emma Vilarem
- Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, (LNC2), INSERM Unit 960, Department of Cognitive Studies, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Adrian Petschen
- Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, (LNC2), INSERM Unit 960, Department of Cognitive Studies, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Paris, France
- Institut de la Communication et de la Cognition, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Julie Grèzes
- Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, (LNC2), INSERM Unit 960, Department of Cognitive Studies, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Paris, France
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Elkjær E, Mikkelsen MB, Tramm G, Michalak J, Mennin DS, O'Toole MS. Using bodily displays to facilitating approach action outcomes within the context of a personally relevant task. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2855. [PMID: 36571767 PMCID: PMC9847621 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considerable attention has been paid to the effect of bodily (expansive and contractive) displays on affective, behavioral, and hormonal outcomes. However, the majority of past studies are limited by a lack of control groups with neutral displays and low personal relevance of the experimental tasks employed. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of adopting different bodily displays, including neutral displays, within the context of a personally relevant task. METHODS In an experiment with healthy participants (N = 90), we investigated the effects of two different bodily manipulations (i.e., expansive and contractive), compared to a control group (i.e., neutral displays). Effects were evaluated in terms of completed valued action in addition to processes considered potentially helpful in preparing and motivating the individual to take valued action, including a change in emotion experience, action tendencies, and appraisals. RESULTS Several main effects were detected and only few significant interaction effects were revealed. In case of group differences, results showed that expansive bodily displays outperformed the control group, leading to more positive emotions, more approach action tendencies, less negative emotion variability, and less avoidance action tendencies toward threat. DISCUSSION These results mainly suggest that identifying a valued action and explicating the underlying motivational conflict may be beneficial regardless of bodily displays. This conclusion runs somewhat counter both to our hypotheses and to findings in recent meta-analytic work. However, previous experiments have not evaluated the effect of bodily displays within a personally relevant context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Elkjær
- Department for Psychology and Behavioral SciencesAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Mai B. Mikkelsen
- Department for Psychology and Behavioral SciencesAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Gitte Tramm
- Department for Psychology and Behavioral SciencesAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Johannes Michalak
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke UniversityWittenGermany
| | - Douglas S. Mennin
- Department of Psychology, Teachers CollegeColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Mia S. O'Toole
- Department for Psychology and Behavioral SciencesAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
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Psychological preparedness & anticipatory response tendencies. NEW IDEAS IN PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.newideapsych.2022.100965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Lin E, Schmid PC. Does power increase attention to rewards? Examining the brain and behavior. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2022.104332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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8
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Schmid PC. The effort investment theory of power. JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Petra C. Schmid
- Department of Management, Technology, and Economics Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) Zurich Switzerland
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Van Cappellen P, Edwards M. Emotion Expression in Context: Full Body Postures of Christian Prayer Orientations Compared to Specific Emotions. JOURNAL OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10919-021-00370-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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10
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Schmid PC, Amodio DM. Effects of high and low power on the visual encoding of faces. Soc Neurosci 2021; 16:293-306. [PMID: 33740878 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2021.1906745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The experience of power is typically associated with social disengagement, yet power has also been shown to facilitate configural visual encoding - a process that supports the initial perception of a human face. To investigate this apparent contradiction, we directly tested whether power influences the visual encoding of faces. Two experiments, using neural and psychophysical assessments, revealed that low power impeded both first-order configural processing (the encoding of a stimulus as a face, assessed by the N170 event-related potential) and second-order configural processing (the encoding of feature distances within configuration, assessed using the face inversion paradigm), relative to high-power and control conditions. Power did not significantly affect facial feature encoding. Results reveal an early and automatic effect of low power on face perception, characterized primarily by diminished face processing. These findings suggest a novel interplay between visual and cognitive processes in power's influence on social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra C Schmid
- Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David M Amodio
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Abstract
Recent research has found that a specific manipulation of body postures can influence psychological states associated with power, including an individual’s feeling of power and risk-taking tendency, but the results vary. The purpose of this study is to replicate previous studies. A pilot experiment examined the validity of 10 postures extracted from multiple former studies. Only 4 postures were consistent with former studies. Experiment 1 replicates the study conducted by Carney, Cuddy, and Yap ( 2010 ). The results revealed that posture manipulations did not affect the participants’ risk-taking tendency. Experiment 2 is a preregistered experiment to replicate the study of Carney et al. ( 2010 ). Different from Experiment 1, data were analyzed with a Bayesian approach. The results of the former study again failed to be replicated, which indicates that the posture manipulations could not yield any effect on both power feelings and individuals’ risk-taking tendency. Thus, we concluded that (a) holding a specific series of body posture perceived as high or low power does not affect individuals’ feeling of power, and (b) holding a specific series of body posture perceived as high or low power does not affect individuals’ risk-taking tendency.
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12
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Lin E, Freydefont L, Schmid PC. Psychological power alters cognitive efficiency. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13773. [PMID: 33496973 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Power is known to promote cognitive processing in a goal-directed way. However, it is unknown whether powerful individuals invest more resources when pursuing their goals or whether they invest their resources more efficiently. We examined how experiencing high versus low power affects the efficient investment of cognitive resources using electroencephalography (EEG). Specifically, event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the upper alpha band (10.5-12.75 Hz) was used to quantify the use of cognitive resources during task completion. Results showed that high-power participants used fewer neural resources compared to low-power participants across the whole brain but task performance did not differ between groups. These findings demonstrate that, instead of investing more resources, high-power participants performed the task with greater cognitive efficiency compared to low-power participants. Performing tasks efficiently could help powerholders deal with their demanding jobs and responsibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enru Lin
- Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Laure Freydefont
- Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Petra C Schmid
- Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Using bodily postures to reduce anxiety and improve interoception: A comparison between powerful and neutral poses. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242578. [PMID: 33296377 PMCID: PMC7725306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has shown that anxiety syndromes are highly prevalent among university students. Effective treatments are needed to reduce the burden of anxiety in this population. Powerful postures have been found to impact affective states, as well as interoception (i.e. the ability to perceive inner bodily signals). However, no previous study has compared the effects of powerful- and neutral postures in regards to anxiety and interoceptive ability. METHODS The first part of the study measured the single-session effect of adopting powerful- vs. neutral postures on students' (n = 57) interoceptive ability and state anxiety. The second part of the study measured the effect of adopting powerful or neutral postures twice daily for two weeks, on individuals' interoceptive ability and trait anxiety. RESULTS State anxiety decreased in both conditions whereas interoceptive accuracy only increased in the power posing condition after a single session. Interoceptive accuracy increased in both groups after two weeks of training. LIMITATIONS The study included no comparison to a condition where individuals adopted their natural (i.e. usual) bodily posture. CONCLUSIONS Embodiment interventions that include elements of adopting an open or expansive bodily posture whilst maintaining a self-focus, can help to reduce state anxiety and improve interoceptive accuracy in student populations. Power posing does not seem to be superior to holding a neutral posture to improve interoceptive accuracy or anxiety. One reason therefore could be that both conditions include the manipulation of self-focus and a postural change that diverges from individuals' normal posture.
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Weineck F, Hauke G, Lindemann H, Lachenmeir K, Schnebel A, Karačić M, Meule A, Voderholzer U, Pollatos O. Using bodily postures in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: Effects of power posing on interoception and affective states. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2020; 29:216-231. [PMID: 33252788 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Power posing involves the adoption of an expansive bodily posture. This study examined whether power posing could benefit individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and women with normal weight in regards to interoceptive ability and affective states. METHOD Participants included 50 inpatients and outpatients with AN as well as 51 normal-weight women. Interoceptive accuracy (IAcc), measured by the heartbeat tracking task and interoceptive sensibility (IS), measured by confidence ratings, were assessed at baseline, after a single power posing session and after 1 week of daily training. Also, the short-term effects of power posing on subjective feelings of dominance, pleasantness, and arousal were investigated. RESULTS Both groups increased in their IAcc after one power posing session. Also, there was a significant main effect of time on feelings of dominance and pleasantness in the short-term. Women with AN displayed lower levels of IS, dominance, and pleasantness as well as higher levels of arousal than women without AN. DISCUSSION These findings suggest that power posing has the potential to increase IAcc, subjective feelings of power and pleasant affect in the short-term. Further research should investigate which mechanisms foster the effectiveness of this intervention to tailor it to the needs of women with AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicitas Weineck
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Gernot Hauke
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hanna Lindemann
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Karin Lachenmeir
- Treatment Center for Eating Disorders (TCE), Dritter Orden Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Adrian Meule
- Schön Klinik Roseneck, Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Voderholzer
- Schön Klinik Roseneck, Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Olga Pollatos
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Körner R, Schütz A. Dominance or prestige: A review of the effects of power poses and other body postures. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Körner
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Bamberg Bamberg Germany
| | - Astrid Schütz
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Bamberg Bamberg Germany
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Elkjær E, Mikkelsen MB, Michalak J, Mennin DS, O'Toole MS. Expansive and Contractive Postures and Movement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Motor Displays on Affective and Behavioral Responses. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2020; 17:276-304. [PMID: 32569503 DOI: 10.1177/1745691620919358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This review and meta-analysis explores the experimental effects of expansive and contractive motor displays on affective, hormonal, and behavioral responses. Experimental studies were located through systematic literature searches. Studies had to manipulate motor displays to either expansive or contractive displays and investigate the effect of the displays on affect, hormones, or overt behavior. Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the pooled, standardized mean differences between the effects of motor displays on affective, hormonal, and behavioral responses. From 5,819 unique records, 73 relevant studies were identified. Robust differences between expansive and contractive displays emerged for affective responses and overt behavioral responses across contexts, type of manipulation, and methods of measurement. The results suggest that the effects are driven by the absence of contractive motor displays (contractive vs. neutral displays: Hedges's g = 0.45) rather than the presence of expansive displays (expansive vs. neutral displays: g = 0.06). The findings stand as a corrective to previous research, as they indicate that it is the absence of contractive displays rather than the presence of expansive displays that alters affective and behavioral responding. Future research should include neutral control groups, use different methods to assess hormonal change, and investigate these effects in the context of ideographic goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Elkjær
- Department for Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University
| | - Mai B Mikkelsen
- Department for Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University
| | - Johannes Michalak
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University
| | | | - Mia S O'Toole
- Department for Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University
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Abstract
Can people improve their lives by smiling more, trying to have a better posture, and by thinking about good memories? Can individuals become more successful by deliberatively engaging in positive actions and thoughts? Do people feel better by following recommendations from naïve psychology? In the present article we discuss these questions, noting that although some popular interventions thought to be universally beneficial (e.g., inductions of happiness, self-affirmation, empowerment, self-distancing) can sometimes yield positive outcomes, at other times the outcomes can also be negative. Taking an empirical approach based on experimental evidence, we postulate that understanding the underlying processes discovered in the science of persuasion is the key for specifying why, when, and for whom these practical initiatives are more likely to work or to backfire.
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Lin E, Schmid PC. The Experience of Power Could Facilitate Healthy Food Consumption. SOCIAL COGNITION 2020. [DOI: 10.1521/soco.2020.38.3.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Körner R, Köhler H, Schütz A. Powerful and confident children through expansive body postures? A preregistered study of fourth graders. SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/0143034320912306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Do expansive body postures increase self-esteem in children? Power posing is a popular but also controversial topic. Still, there has been no research on the possible effects in children. To investigate the influence of power posing in children, 108 German fourth graders were randomly assigned to a high versus a low power posing group. Self-esteem was self-reported; feelings were assessed indirectly. There was an effect of power posing on self-reported global and school self-esteem. Furthermore, children who had performed high power poses in comparison with those who had performed low power poses mentioned more positive feelings, higher power feelings, and a more positive student–teacher relationship. Results are interpreted with regard to the context and the cultural dependency of the power posing effect. Implications for school practice are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Körner
- Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Germany; Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
| | - Hannes Köhler
- Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
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Olenina AH, Amazeen EL, Eckard B, Papenfuss J. Embodied Cognition in Performance: The Impact of Michael Chekhov's Acting Exercises on Affect and Height Perception. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2277. [PMID: 31649594 PMCID: PMC6794455 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern embodied approaches to cognitive science overlap with ideas long explored in theater. Performance coaches such as Michael Chekhov have emphasized proprioceptive awareness of movement as a path to attaining psychological states relevant for embodying characters and inhabiting fictional spaces. Yet, the psychology of performance remains scientifically understudied. Experiments, presented in this paper, investigated the effects of three sets of exercises adapted from Chekhov's influential techniques for actors' training. Following a continuous physical demonstration and verbal prompts by the actress Bonnie Eckard, 29 participants enacted neutral, expanding, and contracting gestures and attitudes in space. After each set of exercises, the participants' affect (pleasantness and arousal) and self-perceptions of height were measured. Within the limitations of the study, we measured a significant impact of the exercises on affect: pleasantness increased by 50% after 15 min of expanding exercises and arousal increased by 15% after 15 min of contracting exercises, each relative to the other exercise. Although the exercises produced statistically non-significant changes in the perceived height, there was a significant relation between perceived height and affect, in which perceived height increased with increases in either pleasantness, or arousal. These findings provide a preliminary support for Chekhov's intuition that expanding and contracting physical actions exert opposite effects on the practitioners' psychological experience. Further studies are needed to consider a wider range of factors at work in Chekhov's method and the embodied experience of acting in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Hedberg Olenina
- School of International Letters and Cultures, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Eric L. Amazeen
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Bonnie Eckard
- Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Jason Papenfuss
- School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
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Laborde S, Strack N, Mosley E. The influence of power posing on cardiac vagal activity. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2019; 199:102899. [PMID: 31387061 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2019.102899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of power posing on hormonal reactions such as testosterone and cortisol have been widely investigated, however, its effects on the autonomic nervous system are rather unknown. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of power posing on cardiac vagal activity (CVA), as indexed by heart rate variability. It was hypothesized that high power poses (HPP) would increase CVA, whereas low power poses (LPP) would decrease CVA, given power posing is expected to decrease stress. Participants (N = 56) performed a total of four power poses, a combination of two power conditions (high vs. low) and two body positions (sitting vs. standing) for 1 min each, in a randomized order. In addition, for each power pose participants were given a role description. Contrary to our hypothesis, CVA decreased significantly during HPP in comparison to the resting measures before and after HPP, and CVA did not change during LPP. Moreover, while holding the power pose, CVA was higher in the LPP than in the HPP condition. Regarding subjective measures our hypotheses were confirmed, felt power was significantly higher after HPP than after LPP. Additionally, perceived stress was higher after LPP than after HPP. Taken together, these results suggest that the immediate impact of PP on the autonomic nervous system is more likely to influence a higher state of activation within the body instead of increasing resources to cope with stress as indexed by CVA, which may be seen only on a more long-term basis.
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Körner R, Petersen LE, Schütz A. Do expansive or contractive body postures affect feelings of self-worth? High power poses impact state self-esteem. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-019-00371-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Metzler H, Grèzes J. Repeatedly adopting power postures does not affect hormonal correlates of dominance and affiliative behavior. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6726. [PMID: 31245173 PMCID: PMC6585898 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adopting expansive vs. constrictive postures related to high vs. low levels of social power has been suggested to induce changes in testosterone and cortisol levels, and thereby to mimic hormonal correlates of dominance behavior. However, these findings have been challenged by several non-replications recently. Despite this growing body of evidence that does not support posture effects on hormone levels, the question remains as to whether repeatedly holding postures over time and/or assessing hormonal responses at different time points would yield different outcomes. The current study assesses these methodological characteristics as possible reasons for previous null-findings. Additionally, it investigates for the first time whether expansive and constrictive postures impact progesterone levels, a suggested correlate of affiliative motives and behavior. By testing the effects of repeated but short posture manipulations in between the blocks of a social task while using a cover story, it further fulfills the conditions previously raised as potentially necessary for the effects to occur. Methods A total of 82 male participants repeatedly adopted an expansive or constrictive posture for 2 min in between blocks of a task that consisted in categorizing faces based on first impressions. Saliva samples were taken at two different time points in a time window in which hormonal responses to stress, competition and other manipulations are known to be strongest. Results Neither testosterone and cortisol levels linked to dominance behaviors, nor progesterone levels related to affiliative tendencies, responded differently to adopting expansive as opposed to constrictive postures. The present results suggest that even repeated power posing in a context where social stimuli are task-relevant does not elicit changes in hormone levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Metzler
- Laboratoire de neurosciences cognitives et computationnelles, INSERM U960, Département d'études cognitives, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris, PSL University, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI), Paris, France
| | - Julie Grèzes
- Laboratoire de neurosciences cognitives et computationnelles, INSERM U960, Département d'études cognitives, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris, PSL University, Paris, France
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Chadwick M, Metzler H, Tijus C, Armony JL, Grèzes J. Stimulus and observer characteristics jointly determine the relevance of threatening facial expressions and their interaction with attention. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-018-9730-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Tracy JL, Steckler CM, Randles D, Mercadante E. The financial cost of status signaling: Expansive postural displays are associated with a reduction in the receipt of altruistic donations. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Pietrzak T, Lohr C, Jahn B, Hauke G. Embodied Cognition and the Direct Induction of Affect as a Compliment to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Behav Sci (Basel) 2018; 8:E29. [PMID: 29495377 PMCID: PMC5867482 DOI: 10.3390/bs8030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We make the case for the possible integration of affect experience induced via embodiment techniques with CBT for the treatment of emotional disorders in clinical settings. Theoretically we propose a possible integration of cognitive behavioural theory, neuroscience, embodied cognition and important processes of client change outcomes such as the therapeutic alliance to enhance client outcomes. We draw from evidence of bidirectional effects between embodiment modes of bottom-up (sensory-motor simulations giving rise to important basis of knowledge) and top-down (abstract mental representations of knowledge) processes such as CBT in psychotherapy. The paper first describes the dominance and success of CBT for the treatment of a wide range of clinical disorders. Some limitations of CBT, particularly for depression are also outlined. There is a growing body of evidence for the added value of experiential affect-focused interventions combined with CBT. Evidence for the embodied model of cognition and emotion is reviewed. Advantages of embodiment is highlighted as a complimentary process model to deepen the intensity and valence of affective experience. It is suggested that an integrated embodiment approach with CBT enhances outcomes across a wide range of emotional disorders. A description of our embodiment method integrated with CBT for inducing affective experience, emotional regulation, acceptance of unwanted emotions and emotional mastery is given. Finally, the paper highlights the importance of the therapeutic alliance as a critical component of the change process. The paper ends with a case study highlighting some clinical strategies that may aid the therapist to integrate embodiment techniques in CBT that can further explore in future research on affective experience in CBT for a wider range of clinical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Pietrzak
- School Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia.
| | - Christina Lohr
- Embodiment Resource Academy Europa (Munich), 80634 Munich, Germany.
| | - Beverly Jahn
- Embodiment Resources Academy Europa (Leipzig), 04105 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Gernot Hauke
- Embodiment Resource Academy Europa (Munich), 80634 Munich, Germany.
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Peña J, Chen M. With great power comes great responsibility: Superhero primes and expansive poses influence prosocial behavior after a motion-controlled game task. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Briñol P, Petty RE, Santos D, Mello J. Meaning Moderates the Persuasive Effect of Physical Actions: Buying, Selling, Touching, Carrying, and Cleaning Thoughts as If They Were Commercial Products. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1086/693561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Briñol P, Petty RE, Durso GRO, Rucker DD. Power and Persuasion: Processes by Which Perceived Power Can Influence Evaluative Judgments. REVIEW OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1037/gpr0000119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The present review focuses on how power—as a perception regarding the self, the source of the message, or the message itself—affects persuasion. Contemporary findings suggest that perceived power can increase or decrease persuasion depending on the circumstances and thus might result in both short-term and long-term consequences for behavior. Given that perceptions of power can produce different, and even opposite, effects on persuasion, it might seem that any relationship is possible and thus prediction is elusive or impossible. In contrast, the present review provides a unified perspective to understand and organize the psychological literature on the relationship between perceived power and persuasion. To accomplish this objective, present review identifies distinct mechanisms by which perceptions of power can influence persuasion and discusses when these mechanisms are likely to operate. In doing so, this article provides a structured approach for studying power and persuasion via antecedents, consequences, underlying psychological processes, and moderators. Finally, the article also discusses how power can affect evaluative judgments more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Briñol
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
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Abstract
Strong claims have been made that power poses can significantly improve one’s life. Starting from an evolutionary perspective, we reason that expansive poses will have no impact in more realistic situations, as in the presence of an interaction partner or when participants are aware of what the pose should accomplish. Across four dyadic studies including both commonly used outcomes and a negotiation task (which could actually have direct benefits for one’s life), we find nearly uniform null effects of holding expansive poses, despite checks confirming the success of the manipulation. For example, in two of the studies, participants watched a popular TED talk on power poses, held an expansive pose, and then completed a negotiation in the presence of a partner, as might happen in real life. We argue that researchers should stop recommending power poses as an empirically supported strategy for improving one’s life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Cesario
- Psychology Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - David J. Johnson
- Psychology Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Cesario J, Jonas KJ, Carney DR. CRSP special issue on power poses: what was the point and what did we learn? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/23743603.2017.1309876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Cesario
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Kai J. Jonas
- Work and Social Psychology Department, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Dana R. Carney
- Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, USA
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Peña J, Chen M. Playing with power: Power poses affect enjoyment, presence, controller responsiveness, and arousal when playing natural motion-controlled video games. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Smith KM, Apicella CL. Winners, losers, and posers: The effect of power poses on testosterone and risk-taking following competition. Horm Behav 2017; 92:172-181. [PMID: 27840104 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A contribution to a special issue on Hormones and Human Competition. The effect of postural power displays (i.e. power poses) on hormone levels and decision-making has recently been challenged. While Carney et al. (2010) found that holding brief postural displays of power leads to increased testosterone, decreased cortisol and greater economic risk taking, this failed to replicate in a recent high-powered study (Ranehill et al. 2015). It has been put forward that subtle differences in social context may account for the differences in results. Power displays naturally occur within the context of competitions, as do changes in hormones, and researchers have yet to examine the effects of poses within this ecologically relevant context. Using a large sample of 247 male participants, natural winners and losers of a physical competition were randomly assigned to hold a low, neutral or high-power postural display. We found no main effect of pose type on testosterone, cortisol, risk or feelings of power. Winners assigned to a high-power pose had a relative, albeit small, rise in testosterone compared to winners who held neutral or low-power poses. For losers, we found little evidence that high-power poses lead to increased testosterone relative to those holding neutral or low-powered poses. If anything, the reverse was observed - losers had a reduction in testosterone after holding high-power poses. To the extent that changes in testosterone modulate social behaviors adaptively, it is possible that the relative reduction in testosterone observed in losers taking high-powered poses is designed to inhibit further "winner-like" behavior that could result in continued defeat and harm. Still, effects were small, multiple comparisons were made, and the results ran counter to our predictions. We thus treat these conclusions as preliminary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher M Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, 3720 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Coren L Apicella
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, 3720 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Golec de Zavala A, Lantos D, Bowden D. Yoga Poses Increase Subjective Energy and State Self-Esteem in Comparison to 'Power Poses'. Front Psychol 2017; 8:752. [PMID: 28553249 PMCID: PMC5425577 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on beneficial consequences of yoga focuses on the effects of yogic breathing and meditation. Less is known about the psychological effects of performing yoga postures. The present study investigated the effects of yoga poses on subjective sense of energy and self-esteem. The effects of yoga postures were compared to the effects of ‘power poses,’ which arguably increase the sense of power and self-confidence due to their association with interpersonal dominance (Carney et al., 2010). The study tested the novel prediction that yoga poses, which are not associated with interpersonal dominance but increase bodily energy, would increase the subjective feeling of energy and therefore increase self-esteem compared to ‘high power’ and ‘low power’ poses. A two factorial, between participants design was employed. Participants performed either two standing yoga poses with open front of the body (n = 19), two standing yoga poses with covered front of the body (n = 22), two expansive, high power poses (n = 21), or two constrictive, low power poses (n = 20) for 1-min each. The results showed that yoga poses in comparison to ‘power poses’ increased self-esteem. This effect was mediated by an increased subjective sense of energy and was observed when baseline trait self-esteem was controlled for. These results suggest that the effects of performing open, expansive body postures may be driven by processes other than the poses’ association with interpersonal power and dominance. This study demonstrates that positive effects of yoga practice can occur after performing yoga poses for only 2 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Golec de Zavala
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of LondonLondon, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and HumanitiesPoznan, Poland.,Instituto Universitário de Lisboa-Centro de Intervenção SocialLisbon, Portugal
| | - Dorottya Lantos
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of LondonLondon, UK
| | - Deborah Bowden
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of LondonLondon, UK
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Satchell L, Morris P, Mills C, O'Reilly L, Marshman P, Akehurst L. Evidence of Big Five and Aggressive Personalities in Gait Biomechanics. JOURNAL OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR 2017; 41:35-44. [PMID: 28203036 PMCID: PMC5283505 DOI: 10.1007/s10919-016-0240-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral observation techniques which relate action to personality have long been neglected (Furr and Funder in Handbook of research methods in personality psychology, The Guilford Press, New York, 2007) and, when employed, often use human judges to code behavior. In the current study we used an alternative to human coding (biomechanical research techniques) to investigate how personality traits are manifest in gait. We used motion capture technology to record 29 participants walking on a treadmill at their natural speed. We analyzed their thorax and pelvis movements, as well as speed of gait. Participants completed personality questionnaires, including a Big Five measure and a trait aggression questionnaire. We found that gait related to several of our personality measures. The magnitude of upper body movement, lower body movement, and walking speed, were related to Big Five personality traits and aggression. Here, we present evidence that some gait measures can relate to Big Five and aggressive personalities. We know of no other examples of research where gait has been shown to correlate with self-reported measures of personality and suggest that more research should be conducted between largely automatic movement and personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Satchell
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry 1 Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY UK
| | - Paul Morris
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry 1 Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY UK
| | - Chris Mills
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Cambridge Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2ER UK
| | - Liam O'Reilly
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Cambridge Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2ER UK
| | - Paul Marshman
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry 1 Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY UK
| | - Lucy Akehurst
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry 1 Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY UK
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Bailey AH, LaFrance M, Dovidio JF. Could a woman be superman? Gender and the embodiment of power postures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/23743603.2016.1248079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Rennung M, Blum J, Göritz AS. To Strike a Pose: No Stereotype Backlash for Power Posing Women. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1463. [PMID: 27729887 PMCID: PMC5037219 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Power posing, the adoption of open and powerful postures, has effects that parallel those of actual social power. This study explored the social evaluation of adopting powerful vs. powerless body postures in men and women regarding perceived warmth, competence, and the likelihood of eliciting admiration, envy, pity, and contempt. Previous findings suggest that the display of power by women may have side effects due to gender stereotyping, namely reduced warmth ratings and negative emotional reactions. An experiment (N = 2,473) asked participants to rate pictures of men and women who adopted high-power or low-power body postures. High-power posers were rated higher on competence, admiration, envy, and contempt compared to low-power posers, whereas the opposite was true for pity. There was no impact of power posing on perceived warmth. Contrary to expectations, the poser's gender did not moderate any of the effects. These findings suggest that non-verbal displays of power do influence fundamental dimensions of social perception and their accompanying emotional reactions but result in comparably positive and negative evaluations for both genders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Rennung
- Occupational and Consumer Psychology, Department of Psychology, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg Freiburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Blum
- Occupational and Consumer Psychology, Department of Psychology, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anja S Göritz
- Occupational and Consumer Psychology, Department of Psychology, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg Freiburg, Germany
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Abstract
Adopting expansive (vs. contractive) body postures may influence psychological states associated with power. The current experiment sought to replicate and extend research on the power pose effect by adding another manipulation that embodies power—eye gaze. Participants ( N = 305) adopted expansive (high power) or contractive (low power) poses while gazing ahead (i.e., dominantly) or down at the ground (i.e., submissively). Afterward, participants played a hypothetical ultimatum game, made a gambling decision, and reported how powerful and in charge they felt. Neither body posture nor eye gaze influenced the gambling decision, and contrary to the predictions, adopting an expansive pose reduced feelings of power. We also found that holding a direct gaze increased the probability of rejecting a low offer on the ultimatum game. We consider why power posing did not have the predicted effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Tang
- Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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For a dollar, would you…? How (we think) money affects compliance with our requests. ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND HUMAN DECISION PROCESSES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2016.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Vacharkulksemsuk T, Reit E, Khambatta P, Eastwick PW, Finkel EJ, Carney DR. Dominant, open nonverbal displays are attractive at zero-acquaintance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:4009-14. [PMID: 27035937 PMCID: PMC4839399 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1508932113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Across two field studies of romantic attraction, we demonstrate that postural expansiveness makes humans more romantically appealing. In a field study (n = 144 speed-dates), we coded nonverbal behaviors associated with liking, love, and dominance. Postural expansiveness-expanding the body in physical space-was most predictive of attraction, with each one-unit increase in coded behavior from the video recordings nearly doubling a person's odds of getting a "yes" response from one's speed-dating partner. In a subsequent field experiment (n = 3,000), we tested the causality of postural expansion (vs. contraction) on attraction using a popular Global Positioning System-based online-dating application. Mate-seekers rapidly flipped through photographs of potential sexual/date partners, selecting those they desired to meet for a date. Mate-seekers were significantly more likely to select partners displaying an expansive (vs. contractive) nonverbal posture. Mediation analyses demonstrate one plausible mechanism through which expansiveness is appealing: Expansiveness makes the dating candidate appear more dominant. In a dating world in which success sometimes is determined by a split-second decision rendered after a brief interaction or exposure to a static photograph, single persons have very little time to make a good impression. Our research suggests that a nonverbal dominance display increases a person's chances of being selected as a potential mate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily Reit
- Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Poruz Khambatta
- Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Paul W Eastwick
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Eli J Finkel
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208; Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208
| | - Dana R Carney
- Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720;
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Swanner JK, Beike D. Throwing You Under the Bus: High Power People Knowingly Harm Others When Offered Small Incentives. BASIC AND APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/01973533.2015.1081851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Abstract
Concerns have been raised recently about the replicability of behavioral priming effects, and calls have been issued to identify priming methodologies with effects that can be obtained in any context and with any population. I argue that such expectations are misguided and inconsistent with evolutionary understandings of the brain as a computational organ. Rather, we should expect priming effects to be highly sensitive to variations in experimental features and subject populations. Such variation does not make priming effects frivolous or capricious but instead can be predicted a priori. However, absent theories specifying the precise contingencies that lead to such variation, failures to replicate another researcher's findings will necessarily be ambiguous with respect to the inferences that can be made. Priming research is not yet at the stage where such theories exist, and therefore failures are uninformative at the current time. Ultimately, priming researchers themselves must provide direct replications of their own effects; researchers have been deficient in meeting this responsibility and have contributed to the current state of confusion. The recommendations issued in this article reflect concerns both with the practice of priming researchers and with the inappropriate expectations of researchers who have failed to replicate others' priming effects.
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Carney DR, Cuddy AJC, Yap AJ. Review and Summary of Research on the Embodied Effects of Expansive (vs. Contractive) Nonverbal Displays. Psychol Sci 2015; 26:657-63. [DOI: 10.1177/0956797614566855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dana R. Carney
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
| | | | - Andy J. Yap
- Department of Organisational Behaviour, INSEAD
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Ranehill E, Dreber A, Johannesson M, Leiberg S, Sul S, Weber RA. Assessing the Robustness of Power Posing. Psychol Sci 2015; 26:653-6. [DOI: 10.1177/0956797614553946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Dreber
- Department of Economics, Stockholm School of Economics
| | | | | | - Sunhae Sul
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College
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Cesario J, Jonas KJ. Replicability and Models of Priming: What a Resource Computation Framework can Tell us About Expectations of Replicability. SOCIAL COGNITION 2014. [DOI: 10.1521/soco.2014.32.supp.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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