Powerless Vs Testosterone

Powerless and Powerful individuals differ on the amount of cortisol and testosterone in the neuroendocrine system. Testosterone levels reflect dominance and status. This is achieved via internal and external cues. This increase in testosterone gives rise to aggressive behaviour, which further increases testosterone level (Archer, 2006; Mazur & Booth, 1998).
Lower basal cortisol levels are seen in powerful people, then powerless people. Powerless people have higher reactivity to stressors, than powerful people do (Abbott et al., 2003; Coe, Mendoza,& Levine, 1979; Sapolsky, Alberts, & Altmann, 1997). Powerless people can have chronically elevated cortisol levels; leading to Negative health consequences; impaired immune functioning, hypertension,
and memory loss (Sapolsky et al., 1997; Segerstrom & Miller, 2004) This is contrasted with short-term acute cortisol elevation, which signifies a response to an adaptive challenge. Low power groups have high levels of stress-related illnesses. This can be attributable to chronically elevated levels of cortisol (Cohen et al., 2006). The high amount of testosterone added to the lower cortisol levels is associated with disease resistance (Sapolsky, 2005) Presenting the idea that a powerful is optimally adaptive.
Power is expressed through nonverbal actions.
Some project power; For example, spreading limbs to occupy space. Others project low power, making oneself take up the minim amount of space possible, by resting limbs against the torso and collapsing the body inward (Carney, Hall, & Smith LeBeau, 2005; Darwin, 1872/2009; de Waal, 1998; Hall, Coats, & Smith LeBeau,2005).
Embodied cognition research evidence suggests that bodily movements affect emotional states. For example; smiling increases enjoyment (Strack, Martin, Stepper, 1988), tilting upward induces pride (Stepper & Strack, 1993), and hunched postures elicit more depressed feelings (Riskind & Gotay, 1982). It has also be shown that Approach-oriented behaviours, such as clenching a fist, can increase self-ratings’ of power (Schubert & Koole, 2009).
Carney, Cuddy and Yap tested whether high-power poses (as opposed to low-power poses) actually produce power, by effecting cortisol and testosterone levels. Yap blah and blah’s study demonstrated that High Power poses, increase levels of testosterone, perceived powerfulness, and reduce levels of cortisol; leading to an increase in risk taking behaviour. Therefore supporting the hypothesis of Slouch and Bigg, that Physical posture effects both risk taking behaviour and the level of cortisol (stress
hormone). Carney, Cuddy and Yap reasoned that changing physical posture prepares the mental and physiological systems to deal with difficult situations. This occurs as a person’s confidence levels increase when in a powerful pose; making an individual’s performance increase. This suggests that people have an ability to ‘act’ confident in situations that require it. A powerful stance increases confidence making them engage in more risk taking behaviour, as they perceive themselves as more able.
Reduced levels of cortisol also facilitate an increase in risk taking behaviour. Cortisol is directly associated with levels of anxiety (Rosnick et al., 2016). A person in a powerful pose has reduced levels of cortisol. Therefore when assuming a powerful pose an individual has reduced anxiety. This allows increased levels of testosterone to outweigh the effects of the reduced cortisol. Therefore, an individual feels more confident and able in themselves and their abilities; thereby increasing the amount of risk taking behaviour, they partake in.