We’ve blogged here before about power posing, speaking out in its favour.
Power posing is the subject of one of the most popular TED talks of all times. Quickly, the idea is that assuming powerful postures increases your confidence through its effect on testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain.
Here’s the talk:
But now there is a qualifier to the TED talk which reads, “Some of the findings presented in this talk have been referenced in an ongoing debate among social scientists about robustness and reproducibility.”
You can read Amy Cuddy’s response here. It’s an interesting case study about science and its popularization, also about scientific studies and what they do and do not show.
What scientists haven’t been able to replicate in subsequent studies is the affect on testosterone. When I shared the articles linked below on my Facebook page, friends chimed in that the felt more confident power posing and so there, it works. And that may well be true. That posing in a confident position makes you feel more confident sounds right.
Fake it til you make it?
Maybe not.
After all, the psychological finding that everyone knows to be true, smiling will make you feel happier, turns out not to be able to replicated either.
Here are some articles about the controversy:
What do you think? Power posing, yes or no?
To see a speaker or instructor constantly in a power position as illustrated above, becomes annoying (to me) as a member of audience.
I appreciate it only once or twice briefly during a lecture/presentation by a speaker. Best respect for me, is a wonderful relaxed and professional demeanour that invites dialogue and questions.
Have not read the linked articles in your blog post yet.