Many of these studies support a theory about human life (and indeed all life) called ‘embodied cognition’. Some psychologists go further, claiming that imitating others helps us predict what they are going to do (e.g. In an experiment by Adank (2010), participants found it easier to decipher an unfamiliar accent if they tried to imitate it themselves. The idea that copying helps us understand others works for thought as well as emotion. It’s what actors have known for years: mimicry is a great way of simulating others’ emotional states.
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If you can copy it, you will feel it yourself and then you’ll get a hint of what others are feeling. Those who are good at empathising do it automatically: copying accent, posture, expressions and so on. If you want to get inside someone’s head, you can try copying their behaviour. So, forcing a smile really does make us see the world in a better light. Those whose smiling muscles were activated rated cartoons as funnier than others whose smiling muscles weren’t activated by the pen in their mouth. (1988) had participants holding pens in their mouths either so that it activated the muscles responsible for smiling, or not. The very act of smiling can make you feel happy, whether it’s justified or not. Moving our hands may help us learn more generally we actually seem to think with our hands. (2007) found that children who were encouraged to gesture while learning, retained more of what they learnt. Gestures aren’t only helpful for persuading others, they also help us think. For example, when referring to the past, point behind you. Most effective are gestures which make what you are saying more understandable. (2008) found that hand-gestures help increase the power of a persuasive message when compared to no use of gesture. But it’s more than just a by-product of communication. The way people’s hands cut through the air while they talk is fascinating. Five minute naps only provided half the benefit, but were better than nothing. Benefits were seen immediately after 10 minute naps but after longer naps it took longer to wake up. For increased cognitive performance, vigour and wakefulness, the best naps were 10 minutes long. Where’s the sweet spot?īrooks & Lack (2005) compared 5, 10, 20 and 30 minute naps to find the best length.
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Nap too long and you’ll suffer from sleep inertia: the feeling of being drowsy for an extended period. While you’re lying down, why not have a nap? Napping is an art-form though. Since anagrams are a type of insight problem, lying down may help you reach creative solutions. When Lipnicki and Byrne (2005) had anagram solvers lying down, they solved them faster. If crossing your arms doesn’t work then try lying down. Their persistence led to more correct solutions. Friedman and Elliot (2008) had participants do just that and found they worked longer at a set of difficult anagrams. If you’re stuck on a problem which needs persistence then try crossing your arms. So, if you need to increase your willpower, tense your muscles.
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#The seeker the who no nukes series#
In a series of 5 studies Hung and Labroo (2011) found that when people firmed up their muscles they were better able to withstand pain, resist tempting food, take an unpleasant medicine and pay attention to disturbing information. Tensing up your muscles can help increase your willpower. When you dominate the space, your mind gets the message.
Powerful poses take up more space, so spread your body and open up the arms or legs. (2010) found that when people stood or sat in powerful poses for one minute-those involving open limbs and expansive gestures-they not only felt more powerful but had increased levels of testosterone flooding their systems. If you want to feel more powerful then adopt a powerful posture. But it also works the other way around: the position of our body also influences our mind.Īs the following psychological research shows, how we move can drive both thoughts and feelings and this can boost performance. We tend to think of body language as something that expresses our internal states to the outside world. Psychological research suggests simple actions can project power, persuade others, increase empathy, boost cognitive performance and more.