Lecture: Power Posing and Nonverbal Behavior

Introduction

• Presenter: Amy Cuddy
• Topic: The impact of body language on life outcomes and self-perception
• Key Proposition: Changing posture for two minutes can significantly affect life outcomes.

Body Language and Communication

• We are fascinated by body language and how it communicates nonverbal cues.
• Body language influences how we judge others, and these judgments can predict significant life outcomes such as hireability or electability.
  • Example: Judgments in short clips can predict physician-patient outcomes or political races.
  • Emoticons in digital communication can influence negotiation results.

Influence of Nonverbals on Ourselves

• Our own body language impacts our thoughts, feelings, and physiology.
• Cuddy explores nonverbal expressions of power and dominance:
  • Powerful Poses: Expanding, taking up space, open postures.
  • Powerless Poses: Closing up, making oneself small.
• Power dynamics in humans mirror those in the animal kingdom.

Power Posing Experiment

• Cuddy and collaborator Dana Carney tested if 'faking' powerful poses influences behavior and feelings of power.
• Hypothesis: Our nonverbals influence how we feel about ourselves.

Physiological and Behavioral Effects

• Experiment Setup: Participants took either high-power or low-power poses for two minutes.
• Outcomes:
  • Higher power poses increased testosterone by 20% and decreased cortisol by 25%.
  • Low power poses decreased testosterone by 10% and increased cortisol by 15%.
  • High power posers were more likely to take risks.
• Implications: Nonverbals can affect hormonal balance and stress levels.

Applications and Real-World Impact

• Power Posing in Evaluative Situations:
  • Recommended before job interviews or public speaking.
  • Not about others, but changing your own mindset.
• Job Interview Study:
  • Participants who power posed were evaluated more positively.
  • Presence, confidence, and authenticity were key factors.

Personal Story and Broader Message

• Cuddy shares a personal story of overcoming feelings of being an impostor after a severe car accident.
• Her journey of 'faking it' until she became confident in her role.
• Encourages others to 'fake it until they become it.'

Conclusion

• Key Takeaway: Tiny tweaks lead to big changes.
• Power posing is accessible to everyone, requires no resources, and can change life's outcomes.
• Call to Action: Share the science of power posing with those who lack resources or confidence.

Final Note: Use power posing to enhance self-perception and performance in critical situations.