Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Posture (psychology)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Self-validation theory is when a participant's posture has a Young Girl Holding a Letter, circa
significant effect on his or her self-evaluation of their emotions. An 1665
example of this is an experiment where participants had to think
and then write positive qualities of themselves in a confident or
doubtful posture.[6] Participants then had to self-evaluate on how good a job candidate, interviewee,
performer, and how satisfied they would be as an employee. Mood and confidence level were also
measured. Results from this study proved in favor of the self-validation theory. Participants' attitudes in the
confident but not doubtful posture, significantly affected their self-reported attitudes. A similar study showed
that participants who were placed in a hunched posture reported were more likely to feel stressed compared
to participants who assumed a relaxed position.[7]
Embodied emotion theory is the idea that mental events can be represented by states of the body.[5] In a
study showing embodied emotion, participants were primed with concepts of pride and disappointment by a
word generation task. Researchers hypothesized there would be an observable change in participants'
posture based on the word they were primed with. This hypothesis was confirmed for the disappointment
prime because participants were more likely to decrease in their vertical height or show slumping behavior.[5]
Contents
1 Common methods
2 Communication expressed
3 Analysis
3.1 Changing factors
3.1.1 Open and closed
3.1.2 Interpersonal attitudes
3.1.3 Posture communicating social standing
3.1.4 Wellbeing
3.2 Stable factors
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posture_(psychology) 1/8
6/20/2017 Posture (psychology) - Wikipedia
Common methods
Physical posture and emotion have been studied using two similar techniques. The first method involves the
participant viewing videotaped actors performing certain actions and the second method involves having the
participant sit in a certain posture and then self-reporting their emotions. In the first method, actors portray and
record certain body movements. Participants must view the video and decipher the emotion they believe is being
portrayed.[8] In the second method, participants are told to assume a certain body posture and then must complete
a survey on their current affective state.[7] Other methods include using neuroscience techniques, such as fMRI's to
determine how posture and emotions expressions can affect brain imaging.[9] Another method that is growing in use
involves using dancers as 'actors' and having participants observe and determine the emotion the dancer is
conveying.[10]
Communication expressed
In humans, one of the means of communication is the posture of the body, in addition to facial expressions, personal
distances, gestures and body movements.[11] Posture conveys information about:
Interpersonal relations
Personality traits such as confidence, submissiveness, and openness.
Social standing
Current emotional states
Characteristics of temperament according to the theory of Hippocrates, Kretschmer, and Sheldon.
Analysis
Posture can signal both the enduring characteristics of a person (character, temperament, etc.), and his or her
current emotions and attitudes. Therefore, posture can be considered in the context of a given situation, and
independently of it.
Changing factors
Posture as information about the current state of a person's emotions and attitudes should be analyzed in the context
of other messages, both verbal and nonverbal as well as that person's cultural and social norms.
An important element of closed or open posture of the body are the hands.
Showing the palms of the hands can be a signal of open posture, especially if
the hand is relaxed. Showing the back of the hand or clenching hands into
fists may represent a closed posture. Hands clasped behind the back may
also signal closed posture even though the front is exposed because it can
give the impression of hiding something or resistance to closer contact.
Closed and open posture also apply when seated. Crossed legs and arms
can signal closed posture. As stated before, leaning forward or showing the An example of open posture.
palms of the hands can signal open posture.
Interpersonal attitudes
Inclination of the body. During conversation, a person may lean slightly toward another person or tilt
slightly away from him/her. This behavior is usually unconscious. An inclination towards can be an expression
of sympathy and acceptance. Inclining away can signal dislike, disapproval, or a desire to end the
conversation. Different inclinations of the head may carry similar meanings.
Similarity. During the conversation, people have an unconscious tendency to imitate others' behavior. This
happens when the conversation runs seamlessly and is enjoyable for both parties. This approximation of
attitudes, gestures, and body movements can indicate the emergence of a bond and sympathy and is known
as stereotyped behavior as defined by Edwin Ray Guthrie.[14] Lack of synchronous behavior may lead to a
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posture_(psychology) 3/8
6/20/2017 Posture (psychology) - Wikipedia
Wellbeing
Mood influences muscle tone, energy level, and one's internal sense of well-being. Thus, body posture can reveal a
person's current state of mind. Anger, sadness, and disgust are by far the most recognized body postures that are
indicative of emotions.[15]
Stress can affect posture subconsciously; a person under stress will often have a greater amount of muscle
tension, and may also have shallow, clavicular breathing.
Well-being affects posture by giving it a sense of energy and balance. A person's spine will be straight and
the head raised.
Malaise affects posture with a sense of tiredness. A person's shoulders may droop, and the head may be
bowed down or tilted to the left or right.
Confidence affects posture by the uprightness (or not) of one's body.[5][7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posture_(psychology) 4/8
6/20/2017 Posture (psychology) - Wikipedia
Stable factors
The term posture is also used to refer to the appearance of the body. In
psychology, there are several concepts involving the appearance of the
permanent characteristics of individuals. Some habitual positions may also
reflect stable characteristics of an individual.
Nature
A comparison of two different
postures. On the left is an example
Wilhelm Reich, a student of Freud, first drew attention to the relationship
of a more energized attitude; on
between shallow breathing, blocked traffic, the difficulty in experiencing
the right is an example of a
sexual pleasure, and emotional disorders, especially neuroses. This concept
depressed attitude.
was developed by Alexander Lowen, founder of bioenergetics. He is also
author of the concept of muscular block. Lowen noted that when
people do not want to experience certain emotions, they tighten
certain muscles.[18] For example, when someone does not want to
cry, they can tighten the jaws, which suppresses tears. Stress and
anger tighten the muscles along the spine and thighs, which can
manifest itself in pain in those body parts, if the stress was
prolonged. According to Lowen, some tensions become chronic:
the muscular block always activated, regardless of the
circumstances. This is called a chronic tension block. Muscular
block affects posture and the way humans move. Certain
experiences influence the formation of specific areas of muscle, and
thus the body's appearance, structure, and attitude.[19]
Features of temperament
body and psychotic behavior reactions or temperament. The three constitutional variations are endomorphy,
mesomorphy, and ectomorphy. The three corresponding psychotic behavior reactions are affective, heboid, and
paranoid.
Some researchers have argued that Sheldon's findings of a strong relationship between body structure and the type
of temperament are due to methodological shortcomings within his studies, and that the relationship between the
two is actually lower than he claims.[21]
Other factors
Posture can easily be impacted by poor health and other factors. Thus, anyone using posture to assess personality,
character, or psychology must first rule out possible underlying medical conditions which may be affecting a
person's posture. Moreover, there is data claiming that one maintains his or her posture worse if he or she listens to
the sentences which describe actions of others. For example, if your task is to maintain your posture rigorously in a
state you do it worse when you listen to sentences like these: "I get up, put on my slippers, go to the bathroom".[22]
See also
Body language
Kinesics
References
1. Munger, edited by Margaret P. (2003). The history of psychology : fundamental questions. New York, N.Y [etc.]:
Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515154-2.
2. Dael, Nele; Mortillaro, Marcello; Scherer, Klaus R. (2011). "Emotion expression in body action and posture".
Emotion. doi:10.1037/a0025737 (https://doi.org/10.1037%2Fa0025737).
3. Montepare, Joann; Koff, Elissa; Zaitchik, Deborah; Albert, Marilyn (1999). "The Use of Body Movements and
Gestures as Cues to Emotions in Younger and Older Adults". Journal of Nonverbal Behavior. 23 (2): 133152.
doi:10.1023/A:1021435526134 (https://doi.org/10.1023%2FA%3A1021435526134).
4. Rossberg-Gempton, Irene; Gary Poole (1993). "The effect of open and closed posture on pleasant and unpleasant
emotions". The Arts in Psychotherapy. 20: 7582. doi:10.1016/0197-4556(93)90034-Y (https://doi.org/10.1016%2
F0197-4556%2893%2990034-Y).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posture_(psychology) 6/8
6/20/2017 Posture (psychology) - Wikipedia
5. Oosterwijk, Suzanne; Rotteveel, Mark; Fischer, Agneta H.; Hess, Ursula (2009). "Embodied emotion concepts:
how generating words about pride and disappointment influences posture". European Journal of Social
Psychology. 39 (3): 457466. doi:10.1002/ejsp.584 (https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fejsp.584).
6. Briol, Pablo; Petty, Richard E.; Wagner, Benjamin (2009). "Body posture effects on self-evaluation: A self-
validation approach". European Journal of Social Psychology. 39 (6): 10531064. doi:10.1002/ejsp.607 (https://do
i.org/10.1002%2Fejsp.607).
7. Riskind, John H.; Gotay, Carolyn C. (1982). "Physical posture: Could it have regulatory or feedback effects on
motivation and emotion?". Motivation and Emotion. 6 (3): 273298. doi:10.1007/BF00992249 (https://doi.org/10.1
007%2FBF00992249).
8. McHugh, Joanna Edel; McDonnell, Rachel, OSullivan, Carol, Newell, Fiona N. (2009). "Perceiving emotion in
crowds: the role of dynamic body postures on the perception of emotion in crowded scenes". Experimental Brain
Research. 204 (3): 361372. doi:10.1007/s00221-009-2037-5 (https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs00221-009-2037-5).
9. Hadjikhani, Nouchine; de Gelder, Beatrice (2003). "Seeing Fearful Body Expressions Activates the Fusiform Cortex
and Amygdala". Current Biology. 13 (24): 22012205. PMID 14680638 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1
4680638). doi:10.1016/j.cub.2003.11.049 (https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cub.2003.11.049).
10. Sawada, Misako; Kuzuhiro Suda; Ishii Motonobu (2003). "Expression of emotions in dance: relation between arm
movement characteristics and emotion". Perceptual and Motor Skills. 97 (3 Pt 1): 697708. PMID 14738329 (http
s://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14738329). doi:10.2466/pms.2003.97.3.697 (https://doi.org/10.2466%2Fpms.2
003.97.3.697).
11. Cozolino, Louis (2006). The Neuroscience of Human Relationships (http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?
id=9329). New York: W.W. Norton & Co. p. 447. ISBN 978-0-393-70454-9.
12. Buss DM (2001). Evolutionary psychology. Gdask: Gdansk Psychology Publishing.
13. Ridley, Nancy L.; Frank R. Asbury (1988). "Does counselor body position make a difference". The School
Counselor. 35 (4): 253258.
14. Hergenhahn, Matthew H. Olson, B.R. (2009). An introduction to theories of learning (8th ed.). Upper Saddle
River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-605772-1.
15. Coulson, Mark (2004). "Attributing Emotion to Static Body Postures: Recognition Accuracy, Confusions, and
Viewpoint Dependence". Journal of Nonverbal Behavior. 28 (2): 117139.
doi:10.1023/B:JONB.0000023655.25550.be (https://doi.org/10.1023%2FB%3AJONB.0000023655.25550.be).
16. Collins, A. (2003). Gestures, body language and behavior. New York: DKC. ISBN 83-89314-01-0
17. Szmajke A. (1999). Autopresentation. 83-910489-1-8 Masks, poses, expressions. Olsztyn: Ursa Consulting. ISBN
83-910489-1-8
18. Lowen A. (1991). Spiritual body. New York: Publishing Agency Jacek Santorski & CO. ISBN 83-85386-00-9
19. Lowen A. (1992). Introduction to bioenergetics. Santorski & CO. Jacek Publishing Agency.
20. Wittman, Phyllis; Sheldon, William H.; Katz, Charles J. (1948). "A STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
CONSTITUTIONAL VARIATIONS AND FUNDAMENTAL PSYCHOTIC BEHAVIOR REACTIONS". The
Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 108 (6): 470476. PMID 18122895 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubm
ed/18122895). doi:10.1097/00005053-194810860-00002 (https://doi.org/10.1097%2F00005053-194810860-0000
2).
21. Humphreys LG Characteristics of type concepts with special reference to Sheldon's typology. "Psychology
Bulletin" 1957, 54, 218-228
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posture_(psychology) 7/8
6/20/2017 Posture (psychology) - Wikipedia
22. V. Kosonogov. Listening to action-related sentences impairs postural control. Journal of Electromyography &
Kinesiology, 2011, Issue 5, Pages 742-745 [1] (http://www.jelectromyographykinesiology.com/article/S1050-6411
(11)00082-4/fulltext?articleId=S0168-8510%2807%2900022-X&articleTitle=Association+between+physicians%E
2%80%99+communicative+behaviors+and+judges%E2%80%99+decisions+in+lawsuits+on+negligent+care&cited
By=false&isTabularSearchRequestOnSearchResultPage=no&medlinePmidWithoutMDLNPrefix=&overridingDateR
estriction=&related=true&restrictdesc_author=&restrictDescription=&restrictterm_author=&search=&search_area
=platform&search_articletype=&search_currenturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthpolicyjrnl.com%2Farticle%2FPI
IS016885100700022X%2Frelated&search_datecombo=&search_dateradio=combo&search_doi=&search_federate
d=no&search_hits=124114&search_id=&search_issue=&search_issue_pii=&search_language=&search_medline=
no&search_monthendcombo=&search_monthstartcombo=&search_operator1=&search_operator2=&search_Orde
rBy=descending&search_preview=no&search_query=Related+to%3A+Association+between+physicians%E2%8
0%99+communicative+behaviors+and+judges%E2%80%99+decisions+in+lawsuits+on+negligent+care&search_re
qcount=20&search_reqfirst=1&search_sort=relevance&search_source=All+Periodicals&search_startpage=&searc
h_tabularSearchValue=&search_text1=&search_text2=&search_text3=&search_text4=&search_volume=&search_
within1=&search_within2=&search_within3=&search_wordsexactly=no&search_yearend=&search_yearstart=&s
earchDisciplineField=all&terms1=&terms2=&terms3=)
23. Haase, Richard F.; Tepper, Donald T. (1972). "Nonverbal components of empathic communication". Journal of
Counseling Psychology. 19 (5): 417424. doi:10.1037/h0033188 (https://doi.org/10.1037%2Fh0033188).
24. Smith-Hanen, Sandra S. (1977). "Effects of nonverbal behaviors on judged levels of counselor warmth and
empathy". Journal of Counseling Psychology. 24 (2): 8791. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.24.2.87 (https://doi.org/10.10
37%2F0022-0167.24.2.87).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posture_(psychology) 8/8