Lower basal cortisol levels are seen in powerful people, then powerless people. Powerless people have higher reactivity to stressors, than powerful people do (Abbott et al., 2003; Coe, Mendoza,& Levine, 1979; Sapolsky, Alberts, & Altmann, 1997). Powerless people can have chronically elevated cortisol levels; leading to Negative health consequences; impaired immune functioning, hypertension, …show more content…
Some project power; For example, spreading limbs to occupy space. Others project low power, making oneself take up the minim amount of space possible, by resting limbs against the torso and collapsing the body inward (Carney, Hall, & Smith LeBeau, 2005; Darwin, 1872/2009; de Waal, 1998; Hall, Coats, & Smith LeBeau,2005).
Embodied cognition research evidence suggests that bodily movements affect emotional states. For example; smiling increases enjoyment (Strack, Martin, Stepper, 1988), tilting upward induces pride (Stepper & Strack, 1993), and hunched postures elicit more depressed feelings (Riskind & Gotay, 1982). It has also be shown that Approach-oriented behaviours, such as clenching a fist, can increase self-ratings’ of power (Schubert & Koole, 2009).
Carney, Cuddy and Yap tested whether high-power poses (as opposed to low-power poses) actually produce power, by effecting cortisol and testosterone levels. Yap blah and blah’s study demonstrated that High Power poses, increase levels of testosterone, perceived powerfulness, and reduce levels of cortisol; leading to an increase in risk taking behaviour. Therefore supporting the hypothesis of Slouch and Bigg, that Physical posture effects both risk taking behaviour and the level of cortisol (stress