Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

A very fantastic TED talk was presented by Amy Cuddy, entitled "Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are" - it is available on YouTube here. At just over 20 minutes, it is well worth the time spent watching. I present a small summary of the main points:

• Individuals will rush to conclusions about you on the basis of your body language
• Your non-verbal behavior doesn't just affect others' perceptions of you; it also influences how you perceive yourself
  - When you feel confident, you naturally expand your body
  - When you feel insecure and powerless, you slump
• By mimicking a powerful stance, you can alter your hormone levels and feel more powerful
• By continually slumping, you will begin to be insecure and powerless

This summary pales by comparison to the information available in the actual TED talk.