It is pretty popular for people to explore the idea of taking power postures to achieve success in interpersonal interactions, especially negotiations, but is it empirically valid? A recent study by Drs. Joseph Cesario and David Johnson wades into this debate with a resounding rejection of the idea of power postures’ efficacy. In a series…
Read MoreNonverbal Behavior in Close Relationships
We keep talking about nonverbal behavior with strangers, but what role does it have in close interpersonal contexts? There is plenty of reason to think that this is important! We pick up on our romantic partner’s nonverbal behavior, even if we don’t realize that we are doing it. In a recent paper, a team of…
Read MoreClusters of Nonverbal Behavior Differentiate Truth Tellers from Liars
A great deal of popular discussion of how to detect deception rests on specific, isolated factors like eye contact, but the reality is a bit more complex. New research shows that clusters of nonverbal behavior differentiate truth tellers from liars. This is the case that Humintell’s Drs. David Matsumoto and Hyisung Hwang made in a…
Read MoreThe Nonverbal Power of Posture
Reading nonverbal cues is not just about understanding psychology or threat detection. It can also help us get a job! In an exciting 2010 study, Drs. Dana Carney, Amy Cuddy, and Andy Yap discuss the concept of “power posing.” Essentially, this involves using certain postures to appear more powerful. This can lead an interviewer or…
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