The relationship between bodily states and emotional reactions is a well-documented area in psychological research, with several studies supporting the idea that physical expressions and postures can influence emotions. Here are key findings from research that support the statement:
Facial Feedback Hypothesis: The facial feedback hypothesis suggests that facial movements can influence emotional experiences. For example, the act of smiling can actually make people feel happier. A seminal study by Strack, Martin, and Stepper (1988) found that participants who held a pen in their mouths in a way that facilitated a smile (without being aware of smiling) rated cartoons as funnier than those who held a pen in a manner that prevented smiling. This study demonstrates the effect of facial expressions on emotional experience.
Strack, F., Martin, L. L., & Stepper, S. (1988). Inhibiting and facilitating conditions of the human smile: A nonobtrusive test of the facial feedback hypothesis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(5), 768-777.
Posture and Emotion: Research on posture and emotion has shown that adopting certain body positions can influence one's emotional state. A study by Peper and Lin (2012) explored how body posture affects energy levels and the ability to generate positive and negative thoughts. They found that an upright posture can promote a more positive mood and energy levels, while a slumped posture can lead to increased feelings of depression.
Peper, E., & Lin, I. (2012). Increase or decrease depression: How body postures influence your energy level. Biofeedback, 40(3), 125-130.
Embodied Emotion: The theory of embodied emotion also supports the idea that bodily states influence emotional reactions. This perspective suggests that emotions are grounded in bodily sensations and that physical states can modulate emotional experiences. Niedenthal (2007) discusses how bodily sensations are integral to emotional processing, indicating that the body's posture, facial expressions, and actions can influence emotional states.
Niedenthal, P. M. (2007). Embodying emotion. Science, 316(5827), 1002-1005.
These studies collectively support the notion that bodily expressions and postures not only reflect our emotional states but can also influence them. The act of smiling can induce feelings of happiness, while adopting a slumped posture can contribute to feelings of depression, highlighting the intricate link between the physical body and emotional experiences.
