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examBoard: AQA
examType: GCSE
lessonTitle: Open and Closed Posture
Our bodies speak volumes even when our mouths are silent. The way we position ourselves our posture is one of the most powerful forms of non-verbal communication. Whether we realise it or not, we're constantly sending messages through our body positions, particularly through what psychologists call "open" and "closed" postures.
Key Definitions:
Open posture signals approachability, confidence and receptiveness. When someone adopts an open posture, they're essentially saying "I'm comfortable here" and "I'm interested in engaging with you." This type of body language can help build trust and create positive social connections.
Closed posture often communicates defensiveness, discomfort, or disinterest. When someone closes their posture, they're creating a physical barrier that can signal "I want space" or "I'm not open to this interaction." This can be a protective mechanism or an unconscious response to feeling threatened or uncomfortable.
Being able to identify different types of posture can help you better understand the unspoken messages in social interactions. Here are the key characteristics to look for:
Our posture isn't just random it's deeply connected to our psychological state and social intentions. Understanding the "why" behind different postures can provide valuable insights into human behaviour.
Posture often reflects our emotions. Open postures typically indicate positive emotions like happiness, confidence and comfort. Closed postures may signal negative emotions such as anxiety, insecurity, or defensiveness.
Research shows that open postures are associated with feelings of power and status. People in positions of authority often adopt more expansive postures, while those feeling subordinate may unconsciously take up less space with closed postures.
We use posture to signal our social intentions. Open postures invite interaction and show receptiveness to others' ideas. Closed postures can signal rejection, disagreement, or a desire for privacy and personal space.
How we hold our bodies significantly affects our interactions with others, often in ways we don't consciously recognise:
In 2010, social psychologist Amy Cuddy and colleagues published research suggesting that adopting "power poses" (open, expansive postures) for just two minutes could increase testosterone, decrease cortisol and boost feelings of power and risk tolerance. While later studies have questioned some of these physiological effects, research continues to support the psychological impact of posture on how we feel and how others perceive us. Even if the hormonal changes aren't as significant as initially thought, the evidence still suggests that adopting open postures can make us feel more confident and appear more confident to others.
While many aspects of open and closed posture are universal, cultural norms significantly influence how posture is expressed and interpreted:
Western cultures often value direct eye contact and open posture in professional settings, seeing it as a sign of confidence and honesty.
In many East Asian cultures, a more reserved posture with less direct eye contact may be considered respectful, especially when interacting with authority figures.
Personal space preferences vary widely across cultures, affecting what's considered appropriate posture in social situations. Cultures with smaller personal space bubbles may stand closer together with more open postures than those that prefer more distance.
Gender norms around the world also influence posture expectations. In some societies, women may be expected to adopt more closed, space-minimising postures, while men are encouraged to take up more space.
Understanding open and closed posture isn't just academic it has real-world applications that can improve your daily interactions:
In job interviews, presentations and workplace interactions, conscious attention to posture can make a significant difference. Research shows that interviewers rate candidates with open posture more favourably and speakers with confident, open posture are perceived as more credible and persuasive.
Teachers can use knowledge of posture to gauge student engagement and adjust their approach. Similarly, students who adopt open, attentive postures tend to participate more actively in class discussions and may even perform better academically due to increased engagement.
The good news is that posture is something we can consciously control and change:
Psychologists and therapists often pay close attention to clients' posture as it can reveal information about emotional states that clients may not verbally express. One case study described a teenager who consistently maintained a closed posture during initial therapy sessions arms tightly crossed, shoulders hunched and body angled away from the therapist. The therapist noted these signals but didn't directly comment on them. Over several sessions, as trust developed, the client's posture gradually opened up, coinciding with greater verbal disclosure and emotional expression. By the final sessions, the client typically sat with an open posture, which the therapist identified as a visible marker of the therapeutic progress. This case highlights how posture changes can reflect internal psychological shifts, even when these changes occur unconsciously.
Open and closed postures form a fundamental part of our non-verbal communication toolkit. By understanding the signals our bodies send, we can become more effective communicators and more perceptive observers of others. Remember that while posture provides valuable clues about people's feelings and intentions, it should always be interpreted alongside other verbal and non-verbal cues and with sensitivity to individual and cultural differences.
Whether you're preparing for a job interview, trying to make new friends, or simply wanting to better understand the people around you, awareness of open and closed posture can give you valuable insights into the complex world of human interaction.
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