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Psychology is an interesting science, it can be applied to almost anything, including bad posture. Encompassing
far more than talking with one’s hands, body posture and language often speaks volumes of a person’s thoughts
in business and personal situations. Hands, head, arms, legs and torso combine forces to paint an indepth picture
and story of a person. Except in medicallyoriented situations, posture is a learned behavior and can be monitored
and trained.
Hands
In psychology, a person’s hands are often considered “first
contact” tools, and a handshake demonstrates confidence,
dominance, submission, shyness, friendliness or animosity. To
portray the strong, confident image, always offer the whole hand,
grasping webtoweb; a firm but not overpowering grip sends a
message of assertiveness and confidence.
Weak, damp or hesitant handshakes communicate subservience,
nervousness, and insecurity, which may not give the best
impression. Overpowering another person’s handshake can
project either a need for dominance and is not often well received.
Hidden hands, such as when crossing arms, can depict resistance to vulnerability.
Arms
Psychology seeks to gaze into the mind, and sometimes the body can be that window. Clasped around the torso,
the arms show withdrawal or defensiveness, especially when both hands are hidden. Depending on the
circumstances, this pose can also project anger or disappointment.
Arms held loosely at the side, a confident, friendly outlook is projected. Elbows bent and and the arms meeting
casually projects a professional, competent air when speaking, allowing a comfortable discussion when
appropriate.
Legs
In a standing position, legs slightly spread lends a confident air, braced to take on any situation and succeed.
Legs positioned with feet close together indicates insecurity, or depending on arm position, strict attention to
others in a subconsciously subservient attitude.
Whether sitting or standing, foot, ankle, and leg positions tell an elaborate story. In psychology theory, frequent
shuffling of the feet can portray nervousness, ambiguity and mental or emotional discomfort. Crossed legs can
project a need for protection.
Eyes
Direct eye contact projects confidence and reinforces the other person’s value and importance. Constantly
avoiding eye contact can send ambiguous signals and give an impression of insecurity, fear, and possibly evasion,
which in psychology can be called social anxiety.
Full Body Posture or Carriage
Taking in the larger, overall picture body language portrays, several distinct postures are easily recognized.
Walking or sitting with the head hanging down and shoulders rounded projects a defeated, submissive bearing.
Often, strides are short; sometimes feet scuffle along the ground. Similar posture with quick, furtive steps and
arm motions depict fear and defensiveness. Slouching while sitting portrays depression, apathy and passivity.
Standing or walking with the head up, shoulders squared, and strides longer and surer, however, interject a far
different picture—one of confidence and assertiveness.
Overcoming Bad Posture
If medical conditions are not the physical cause of bad posture, the psyche most often is. The persistent sloucher
often has a defeated attitude that permeates many if not all aspects of life, and often overcoming that outlook can
require more than adjustments to physical posture. However, because the same body positions that project
confidence also can encourage proper blood flow and oxygen delivery, improving body posture can have positive
side effects. Psychology is as ever a fascinating subject.