Your body language shapes who you are. (2012)

“Power posing”, standing in a posture of confidence, can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain

Amy Cuddy, social psychologist
TED Talk June 2012. 

“We know that our minds change our bodies, but is it also true that our bodies change our minds?

“… we know that in primate hierarchies … if an individual needs to take over an alpha role suddenly, within a few days that individual’s testosterone has gone up significantly and his cortisol has dropped significantly. So we have this evidence … that the body can shape the mind

“…we find that when you are in the high-power pose, 86 percent of you will gamble. When you’re in the low-power pose, only 60 percent, and that’s a whopping significant difference

“Power posing – standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident – can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.”

You can also view the video (or read the transcript) here: Your body language shapes who you are.