Power Posing Revisited

Power Posing: What Your Body Says—And What It Doesn’t

Few topics in the world of nonverbal behaviour have generated as much controversy, hope, and scepticism as the so-called power pose. Introduced to the public through Amy Cuddy’s 2012 TED Talk—now with millions of views—the idea is simple yet compelling: adopting an expansive stance could make you feel, and even become, more powerful.

But over a decade on, where do we really stand? Is power posing a psychological hack, pseudoscience, or something more nuanced?

From Posture to Performance: The Promise of Power Posing

Amy Cuddy and colleagues (Carney, Cuddy, & Yap, 2010) initially reported that brief expansive postures—standing tall, arms wide, feet planted—led to measurable hormonal changes (increased testosterone, reduced cortisol), heightened feelings of power, and more risk-tolerant behaviour. These “high-power poses” (HPPs) contrasted with “low-power poses” (LPPs), such as slouching or folding in on oneself.

The implications were enormous. Could a two-minute pose before a job interview transform your chances? Could posture change physiology, not just psychology?

Replication Backlash and the Reproducibility Reckoning

Not long after the hype, the scrutiny began. Replication efforts, including a high-profile study by Ranehill et al. (2015), failed to reproduce the hormonal findings, although subjective feelings of power remained somewhat reliable. This sparked fierce debate within psychology, especially amid broader concerns about reproducibility, p-hacking, and questionable research practices (Cesario et al., 2017; Simmons & Simonsohn, 2017).

In 2020, Elkjær and colleagues attempted to settle the issue with a systematic review and meta-analysis of 48 studies. Their conclusion? Expansive body displays do seem to influence emotional and behavioural responses—but not consistently, and not physiologically. Crucially, their work highlighted that the early claims may have been overstated, and that we need more precise theoretical models.

A Missed Opportunity?

Although Elkjær et al. (2020) brought much-needed rigour to the conversation, their analysis wasn't without issues. The study lacked preregistration, didn’t share its data or code, and missed at least 17 relevant studies (Körner & Schütz, 2020). Surprisingly, the term “power posing” wasn’t used as a search criterion—possibly excluding key literature.

Poses vs Postures: A Crucial Distinction

One of the most important developments in this field is the recognition that not all body positions are created equal. Körner and Schütz (2020) differentiate between poses (whole-body configurations like Wonder Woman stances) and postures (focused on spinal alignment, like sitting upright).

This distinction maps onto two different social signalling strategies: dominance and prestige (Henrich & Gil-White, 2001; Cheng et al., 2010).

Dominance—often conveyed through expansive, assertive stances—signals control and intimidation. Prestige, by contrast, is linked to upright/‘straight’ posture and signals competence, respect, and skill.

Understanding this difference is vital. Dominant poses may boost self-perception but risk coming off as aggressive or culturally inappropriate (Park et al., 2013). Upright postures, on the other hand, are more universally associated with pride, likability, and emotional resilience (Stepper & Strack, 1993; Veenstra et al., 2017).

So… Do Power Poses Work?

There is consistent evidence that adopting an expansive pose can affect how people feel in the moment—more confident, more agentic. But claims that it alters hormone levels or guarantees better performance don’t hold up to scrutiny (Ranehill et al., 2015; Credé & Phillips, 2017).

Moreover, the social consequences of these poses are context-sensitive. In some professional settings, an HPP might seem bold and decisive; in others, it may appear brash or performative. Subtler posture adjustments—like standing tall without puffing up—might offer the benefits of improved self-perception without the social cost (Gurney et al., 2017).

Beyond Hacks: Embodied Signals and Long-Term Change

Perhaps the biggest problem with the original power pose pitch was its promise of a quick fix. But the body-mind connection doesn’t operate like a vending machine. Instead of expecting magic from a two-minute stance, we might gain more by cultivating sustained posture awareness—through practices like yoga, dance, or physiotherapy (Riskind & Gotay, 1982).

According to some - notably Barrett (2012) - emotions—and their bodily expressions—are constructed, context-dependent, and deeply embedded in culture. So are perceptions of power. What works in a Western boardroom may backfire in a collectivist culture (Park et al., 2013).

Conclusion

Power posing may not be a shortcut to success but it reminds us that how we carry ourselves affects not just how others see us, but how we see ourselves. And that, in turn, can shape how we act—if only a little. The meta-analyses, though themselves flawed, conclude that such poses may influence subjective feelings but not biology. They also highlight a crucial distinction between poses (dominance signalling) and postures (prestige signalling), each with different social consequences. Ultimately, rather than relying on two-minute fixes, meaningful change likely comes from sustained body awareness practices.

References

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