The effects of power posing on neuroendocrine levels and risk-taking

Abstract Background The current study attempted to replicate the original findings regarding the effects of power posing on testosterone and cortisol levels, risk-taking behavior, and perceived power. We further extended the investigation by testing the effect of power posing on estradiol and proges...

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Main Authors: Efrat Barel, Shosh Shahrabani, Lila Mahagna, Refaat Massalha, Raul Colodner, Orna Tzischinsky
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02194-7
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author Efrat Barel
Shosh Shahrabani
Lila Mahagna
Refaat Massalha
Raul Colodner
Orna Tzischinsky
author_facet Efrat Barel
Shosh Shahrabani
Lila Mahagna
Refaat Massalha
Raul Colodner
Orna Tzischinsky
author_sort Efrat Barel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The current study attempted to replicate the original findings regarding the effects of power posing on testosterone and cortisol levels, risk-taking behavior, and perceived power. We further extended the investigation by testing the effect of power posing on estradiol and progesterone levels. Methods A sample of 92 young adults (30 males; 32 females taking oral contraceptives; and 30 females not taking oral contraceptives who were in their midluteal phase) were randomly assigned to high-power-pose or low-power-pose conditions and asked about their feelings of power. They completed a risk-taking task, and their neuroendocrine levels were measured both at baseline and following the power manipulation. Results Power posing was not found to replicate the original results regarding effects on testosterone levels or feelings of power; however, our findings partially supported the original results regarding effects on cortisol levels and risk-taking. Among high-power posers, a decrease in cortisol levels was associated with risk tolerance. Power posing was not found to influence progesterone levels. However, among females taking oral contraceptives, high-power posing increased estradiol levels. Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that estradiol is influenced by short-term exposure to social cues under specific hormonal profiles.
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issn 2050-7283
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publishDate 2024-12-01
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series BMC Psychology
spelling doaj-art-ec3c12c19ed44234b261a3e5eae6bde12024-12-08T12:49:50ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832024-12-0112111110.1186/s40359-024-02194-7The effects of power posing on neuroendocrine levels and risk-takingEfrat Barel0Shosh Shahrabani1Lila Mahagna2Refaat Massalha3Raul Colodner4Orna Tzischinsky5School of Psychological Sciences, University of HaifaDepartment of Economics and Management, The Max Stern Academic College of Emek YezreelEndocrinology Laboratory, Emek Medical CenterEndocrinology Laboratory, Emek Medical CenterEndocrinology Laboratory, Emek Medical CenterCenter for Psychobiological Research, The Max Stern Academic College of Emek YezreelAbstract Background The current study attempted to replicate the original findings regarding the effects of power posing on testosterone and cortisol levels, risk-taking behavior, and perceived power. We further extended the investigation by testing the effect of power posing on estradiol and progesterone levels. Methods A sample of 92 young adults (30 males; 32 females taking oral contraceptives; and 30 females not taking oral contraceptives who were in their midluteal phase) were randomly assigned to high-power-pose or low-power-pose conditions and asked about their feelings of power. They completed a risk-taking task, and their neuroendocrine levels were measured both at baseline and following the power manipulation. Results Power posing was not found to replicate the original results regarding effects on testosterone levels or feelings of power; however, our findings partially supported the original results regarding effects on cortisol levels and risk-taking. Among high-power posers, a decrease in cortisol levels was associated with risk tolerance. Power posing was not found to influence progesterone levels. However, among females taking oral contraceptives, high-power posing increased estradiol levels. Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that estradiol is influenced by short-term exposure to social cues under specific hormonal profiles.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02194-7Power posingEndocrine levelsRisk-takingCortisolSex hormones
spellingShingle Efrat Barel
Shosh Shahrabani
Lila Mahagna
Refaat Massalha
Raul Colodner
Orna Tzischinsky
The effects of power posing on neuroendocrine levels and risk-taking
BMC Psychology
Power posing
Endocrine levels
Risk-taking
Cortisol
Sex hormones
title The effects of power posing on neuroendocrine levels and risk-taking
title_full The effects of power posing on neuroendocrine levels and risk-taking
title_fullStr The effects of power posing on neuroendocrine levels and risk-taking
title_full_unstemmed The effects of power posing on neuroendocrine levels and risk-taking
title_short The effects of power posing on neuroendocrine levels and risk-taking
title_sort effects of power posing on neuroendocrine levels and risk taking
topic Power posing
Endocrine levels
Risk-taking
Cortisol
Sex hormones
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02194-7
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