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Want to spot manipulation signs? Research suggests you might want to look at how someone stands. A study from McGill University reveals that consistently upright, expansive posture could be one of the hidden signals of a manipulative personality.
The study, examining 608 young adults through five separate studies, revealed connections between sustained erect posture and personality characteristics linked to social dominance, according to a post in Psychology Today by Susan Krauss Whitbourne, professor emerita of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
McGill researchers conducted four initial studies where participants provided photographs of themselves in natural poses or poses expressing dominance or submission. A fifth study, conducted in laboratory conditions, confirmed the findings from the previous research.
"People with a consistently erect and expansive or open posture scored higher for such traits as psychopathy, manipulativeness, competitiveness, and belief in the existence of social hierarchies," Whitbourne said.
The study found that individuals with less power-seeking personalities typically varied their postures depending on the situation. In contrast, those displaying consistent upright and expansive postures showed stronger correlations with manipulative traits.
However, researchers emphasize that posture alone cannot provide a complete picture of someone's personality. Multiple factors influence how a person stands, including previous experience with dance or gymnastics. Medical conditions, such as past spinal surgery, can also affect posture, making it an unreliable personality indicator in such cases.
Whitbourne notes that as a general finding, subjects who showed less interest in power and dominance demonstrated more variation in their postures across different situations and times. The consistent maintenance of an upright, expansive posture emerged as a potential indicator of certain personality traits rather than a definitive measure.
The research suggests that while postural observations may provide insight into personality characteristics, they should be considered alongside other behavioral indicators. A person's statements, overall demeanor, and other aspects of body language can offer additional context for understanding their personality traits.
The McGill study demonstrates that while someone's standing posture might offer clues about their personality, it represents just one piece of information in understanding complex human behavior. The researchers emphasize that no single behavioral indicator can provide a complete or foolproof assessment of personality traits.
This analysis of the relationship between posture and personality adds to the scientific understanding of nonverbal behavior while acknowledging the importance of considering multiple factors when evaluating personality characteristics.
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