Robin Wright, the actress who plays Claire Underwood in the popular Netflix series House of Cards, is renowned for her perfect posture.
Her powerful character strides down the television White House halls as if willing doors to open in front of her. Shoulders back and level. Her core muscles at the belly button pulling her back straight. Her chin is raised and her gaze is powerfully forward.
She looks every inch the powerful political figure she portrays and posture plays a significant part.
According to the Mayo Clinic Health Letter, posture and mental state are intimately related.
Researchers have found that people who practiced power poses before a mock interview were perceived to be more confident and desirable candidates.
Power postures are characterized by wide, upright stances.
Even a person's own assessment of their competence and mood are improved by good posture. In one study, people were asked to assume either slouching posture or erect posture. People in the more erect postures gave more positive assessments of their own qualities. Slouchers were much less confident and positive.
Stress can be affected by posture. One study found that an upright posture during a stressful even conferred a feeling a strength and confidence. Slouchers more often felt fear, hostility, and nervousness.