Failure To Use Submissive Body Language Linked To Bipolar And Mania, Study
Christopher Philip
Bipolar disorder is quite debilitating. It interferes with work and relationships. However, little is understood with respect to behavioural patterns causing friction within relationships.
One such theory says that those with mania tend to seek and act out in more dominant ways than the general population. In fact, one of the more damaging aspects of bipolar is seeking out dominance and leadership.
Dominance motivation is defined as the desire to achieve positions high in the hierarchy and thus control social resources. Traits for dominance varies considerably between people, where some seek it and others are content simply to follow.
When humans and animals seek dominance, they often behave in aggressive ways. However, before coming to blows, humans usually sort things out in less physical ways. These include posturing, gestures, bluff displays, raising the voice and so forth.
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In normal social interactions, nonverbal displays are usually complimentary. That is, when one person adopts a posture of dominance, the other compliments the posture with submissive displays. The reverse is also true. This adaptive feature tends to smooth over interaction increasing overall satisfaction and happiness. In fact, when people are instructed to adopt postures that do not compliment, it increases conflict and reduces cohesiveness. Thus, as far as humans go, complimenting body postures helps us fit neatly together so we can work constructively together.
Mania, Mice And Men/Women
In research on mice, it was found that mice breed for dominance respond well with treatment from mood-stabilizing medication reducing dominance behaviour. Likewise, in mice bred for submissiveness, antidepressant medication reduced overly submissive behaviour.
Mice with high levels of dominance also display “manic type” symptoms such as increased pursuit of rewards such as food, aggression and hyperactivity.
In people, mania has also been theorized with dominance behaviour and it too is marked by increased goal oriented behaviour, grandiose self-perception, heightened sexual and social activity. These also tend to overlap with behaviours of power.
Also linked to mania are higher than normal levels of testosterone. The net effect is higher levels of felt pride, and motivation to achieve higher social status, fame and fortune. These concepts are boosted in the elevated state of bipolar disorder.
The Current Study
The current study conducted by Morgan Bartholomewn and Sheri Johnson, University of California, Berkeley have provided evidence that people scoring high for mania tend to relinquish power less readily than those scoring lower for mania.
The study first had subjects fill out the Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS) which is a standard test to assess the risk for mania. They were then paired with a confederate to perform a task with whom they were told was another participant.
Participants were assigned to either the dominant, submissive or neutral test condition.
In the dominant condition, the confederates draped their left arm over the back of the empty chair to their side, crossed their right leg in a figure four leg cross (right ankle resting on the left thigh) with the right knee extending beyond the edge of the chair.
In the submissive condition, the confederate sat in a constricted posture with their legs pressed together, their hands on their lap, and slouched slightly.
In the neutral condition, the confederate sat straight with their legs slightly parted and then arms resting on the armrests of the chair.
Results showed that those scoring low on risk for mania (HPS scores) adopted complimentary nonverbal postures in response to the confederate. However, those at risk for mania demonstrated consistently dominant or expansive nonverbal posture.
Drawing Conclusions
Those scoring high on the mania scale do not compliment the nonverbal body language of dominant people. That is, when met with a dominant individual, rather than adopt a submissive stance in order to build cohesiveness on a shared task, those at risk for mania tend to mirror dominant body language.
While the results are preliminary, it does tell us that those at risk for mania may demonstrate this risk by creating additional friction against those in their surroundings, thereby reducing the cohesiveness of interactions.
Persistent dominant nonverbal body language may put additional strain on relationships in a way that makes it difficult for those suffering from mania to get along with other people in a constructive way.
Applying the findings is relatively straight forward. When a person does not reduce dominance display, even when faced with a dominant partner, this is a signal that the person likely scores high on mania. This might seem intuitive, but it is the first time body language has been studied with respect to mania and also neatly shows the difference between how normal people interact by complimenting each others body language rather than mirroring dominance.
As we have discussed, complimenting body language is an effective way to build relationships according to a hierarchy. When no set hierarchy develops, it creates friction and reduces cooperation and overall satisfaction.
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Resources
Bartholomewn, Morgan E.; Sheri L. Johnson. Nonverbal Dominance Behavior Among Individuals at Risk for Mania. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2019. 159: 133-138.
Feder, Y.,Nesher,E.,Ogran,A.,Kreinin,A.,Malatynska,E.,Yadid,G.,Pinhasov,A., 2019.Selective Breeding for Dominant and Submissive Behavior in Sabra Mice. Journal of Affective Disorder.126: 214–222, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.03.018.
Malatynska, E.,Knapp,R.J.,2005.Dominant-Submissive Behavior as Models of Mania and Depression. NeuroScience and.Biobehavior .Rev.29(4–5): 715–737, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2005.03.014.