They stoop to conquer: Guiding and self-regulatory functions of physical posture after success and failure.

Abstract

Three experiments tested the hypothesis that slumped (depressed) or upright physical postures are not just passive indicators of mental states but can reciprocally affect the mental states and behavior of an individual. By using a methodology similar to that in many facial manipulation studies, the experimenters changed subjects' postures in a standard learned helplessness setting. The results suggested that when a slumped posture is inappropriate to the current situation (a subject has just succeeded), the slumping seems to undermine subsequent motivation as well as feelings of control. But when appropriate (a subject has experienced failure or helplessness), slumping minimizes both feelings of helplessness and depression and motivation deficits. These results were interpreted with a new theoretical analysis, the appropriateness hypothesis. A slumped versus upright posture orientation can guide and moderate information-processing and responses to positive and negative mood-relevant stimuli. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to self-regulatory processes that may operate in emotion, depression, and learned helplessness.