Amy Cuddy: Your Body Language Affects Who You Are

Introduction

The dissimilarity amongst the verbally spoken words and our comprehension of their importance mostly derives from what is contemplated to be the “conscious and unconscious movements and postures by which attitudes and feelings are communicated”, otherwise it’s labeled as body language. Amy Cuddy’s speech “Your Body Language Affects Who You Are” has greatly expanded the message amongst the significance of non-verbal communication. Her captivating presentation and extended amount of examples, such as heading into a job interview or the first date, and plenty more, was a successful hence in her persuasion towards the terms of the driven message, the optical aid and body language. To her, non-verbal communications prescribe how us humans perceive and critically think as other individuals distinguish us. Clearly identifying off her speech, Amy gives her audience two specific tasks based on the various positions in order to represent unlike differences. For example, shutting the palm of their hands in-between their legs is a way of illustrating the condition of being inferior, while the lifting of both their arms in a “v-shape” indicates the victory of an accomplishment. This assessment of hers has not only hooked the audience's interest towards her interest, but it has sparked the attentiveness in mine as well.

Body Language and Self-Perception

Amy’s theme throughout this speech was body language and how it primarily results in the effect on how an individual views us and its changeable view on how we see ourselves. In her speech, she validates that a stance or sitting in a particular bearing of self-possession, frequently known as “power posing,” influences our possibility of victory. A few examples that demonstrate the “power pose” include an athlete's body expression when winning a race, the victory point in a football game, or even one's posture in sitting symbolizing power. On the opposing side, a losing presentation is known as “low-poses.” This body representation sparks many productions of the cortisol hormones as opposed to the testosterone, consequently leading to negative recognition. Amy then stresses her point by giving visual illustrations presented on the white screen as she in-depth presented the different poses. This, in fact, according to her, should occur when our personal self doesn’t have the assertiveness deep down inside ourselves since our body’s reaction changes through the way our minds act. To succeed, we have to grow the testosterone levels in the brain, thus lessen the cortisol hormone level. The former is required for fearlessness, supremacy feelings, charisma, robustness, and wisdom, whereas the latter is a substitute for terror and hopelessness.

The Strategy of "Fake It Till You Make It"

In order for an individual, including ourselves, to obtain a positive awareness and accomplishment, for example, in interviews, Amy Cuddy counsels us to use the action plan “fake it until you make it” where one would, in spite of not having the bravery or potential to pass an interview or exam, tune the body to face the obstacles head-on. Furthermore, she gave an example of placing a pen in the mouth to express the appearance of smiling, as an act that would truly make you give the expression of smiling and even change the moods for the better. In the end, the body sets the brain to manufacture the testosterone hormones, consequently fighting vanquish. However, in times of terror and low spirit, she suggests us to face the mirror and act above ourselves in order to obtain bravery and determination in facing the obstacles ahead. Amy then concludes by expressing the saying “fake it till you believe in it.” By verbally expressing this, she clearly means that after a series of faking and making it, your brain experiences a state of believing in what you are doing, therefore, constructing considerably great trust and superior feelings.

Conclusion

Once you “fake it till you become it,” then your personal actions become your way of life, and your accomplishments become a part of you. In her conclusion, Amy suggests her audience “try the power pose and share the science,” adding that it might be a significant recipe during their interview or meeting. Amy’s mode of presentation was a greatly influencing persuasion due to the use of visual aids, such as pictures and diagrams on the white projector, real-life examples, strong use of power-pose techniques with her body, and the style in her narration. At the end of her presentation, her audience not only clearly understood the message, but they also gained the knowledge of the main characteristic within ourselves and themselves which, if utilized positively, could lead them to success in life. We hold our own future and shape the way others perceive us.

References

Cuddy, A. (2012). Your body language may shape who you are. TEDGlobal 2012. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are