{"id":398,"date":"2014-10-20T17:59:30","date_gmt":"2014-10-20T17:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bodylanguageproject.com\/nonverbal-dictionary\/?p=398"},"modified":"2015-06-04T17:56:28","modified_gmt":"2015-06-04T17:56:28","slug":"body-language-of-the-dominant-stance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bodylanguageproject.com\/nonverbal-dictionary\/body-language-of-the-dominant-stance\/","title":{"rendered":"Body Language of The Dominant Stance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Body Language of The Dominant Stance<\/p>\n

\"BodyLanguageProjectCom<\/a>Cue<\/strong>: Dominant Stance (The)<\/p>\n

Synonym(s)<\/strong>: N\/A<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong>: A stance where the feet lie flat on the ground, weight is across both feet, the arms are placed to the side rather than in pockets and hands do not prop up against a wall or table. The hips are forced forward slight, with the legs just wider than shoulder width.<\/p>\n

In One Sentence<\/strong>: Standing with the feet even and stable shows others that one is in control of one\u2019s body and prepared to stand one\u2019s ground.<\/p>\n

How To Use it<\/strong>: Use the dominant stance to show other that you are ready for action and also ready to stand your ground. A wide base shows others that you are confident. The cue is useful in many situations so as when pitching ideas in business, or for men, in dating, when trying to seduce. Those in charge of groups of people including various leaders should use a dominant stance nearly all of the time. This will help them gain and hold authority.<\/p>\n

Context<\/strong>: General<\/p>\n

Verbal Translation<\/strong>: \u201cI\u2019m right here, proud and confident. I don\u2019t need to lean against anything and I can stand alone. I\u2019ve got my feet firmly planted on the ground and my legs are wide enough to \u2018show off my junk\u2019 (genitals) and form a wide base.\u201d<\/p>\n

Variant<\/strong>: Related to Arms Akimbo<\/a>, Cowboy Pose Stance<\/a>, Broadside Display or Chest Protrusion<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cue In Action<\/strong>: While presenting to the audience, Dave commanded respect by taking up lots of room and using his arms freely. When he wasn\u2019t on the stage, he often stood at ease with his legs apart, flat and even across his feet. He appeared to be confident and in control.<\/p>\n

Meaning and\/or Motivation<\/strong>: The dominant stance is one that depicts confidence and authority.<\/p>\n

Cue Cluster<\/strong>: The dominant stance can be coupled with expansive movements such as arms gesticulating, arms over the back of a chair, or out and relaxed, shoulders up and back, head held high, arms out and relaxed, legs apart. The greater the area the body takes up, the more dominant the body language.<\/p>\n

Body Language Category<\/strong>: Authoritative body language, Crotch display, Dominant body language, Leadership body language, Relaxed body language.<\/p>\n

Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Atkinson A, Dittrich W, Gemmell A, Young A. Emotion perception from dynamic and static body expressions in point-light and full-light displays. Perception 2004;33:717\u201346.<\/p>\n

Aviezer H, Trope Y, Todorov A. Body cues, not facial expressions, discriminate between intense positive and negative emotions. Science 2012;338:1225\u20139.<\/p>\n

Allen, Jill; Sarah J. Gervais and Jessi L. Smith. Sit Big to Eat Big: The Interaction of Body Posture and Body Concern on Restrained Eating. Psychology of Women Quarterly 2013. 37(3): 325-336. DOI: 10.1177\/0361684313476477pwq.sagepub.com<\/p>\n

Sit Big To Eat Big \u2013 How Constrictive Postures Reduce Food Consumption<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n