You mother probably told you to sit up straight. But, does good posture lead to successful dating? Who would have thought? According to an article in CNN postures can increase your success in online dating. This has to do with first impressions and how we are genetically wired to assess a potential mate at a glance.

The power of posture reigns in the animal kingdom, where peacocks fan their feathers and chimpanzees flaunt their limbs to assert dominance and attract mates. New research suggests that humans trying online dating apps and speed-dating might want to follow their lead.

Previous studies have shown that nonverbal cues such as a smile or a nod of the head garner interest from potential romantic partners. The gestures have what scientists call “positive signal value,” meaning they create the impression that you are warm and friendly, someone others want to be around.

But modern courtship rarely lasts long enough to form an impression based on meaningful, real-life interactions. Decisions are made in a matter of minutes, even seconds, with a single swipe in digital dating or a passing encounter in the real world.

Researchers say that extending yourself, displaying outstretched limbs and a stretched torso doubles your odds of success compared to hunched-over postures.

From the Source

The study that CNN talks about is published by the National Academy of Sciences. Dominant, open nonverbal displays are attractive at zero-acquaintance is its title.
This set of studies tested whether humans are more attracted to individuals displaying their bodies expansively, a behavior considered to express both dominance and openness.

These findings indicate that in modern-day dating contexts, in which initial attraction often is determined by a rapid decision following a brief interaction or seeing a photograph, displays of expansive posture increase one’s chances of initial romantic success.

Expansiveness makes the dating candidate appear more dominant. In a dating world in which success sometimes is determined by a split-second decision rendered after a brief interaction or exposure to a static photograph, single persons have very little time to make a good impression. Our research suggests that a nonverbal dominance display increases a person’s chances of being selected as a potential mate.

So stand up straight and spread your arms wide if you want to be seen as a potentially great mate!

So How Is This Supposed to Work?

The problem in modern dating, especially online dating and use of dating apps is that decisions to approach or reject a potential mate are made in seconds and are often driven by a primitive part of our brain. You make be looking for an intelligent and thoughtful person but your mid-brain and his or hers have the first shot at accepting or rejecting a potential mate. We have written about making a great first impression. Now you need to back up and before thinking of what to say and besides thinking of what to wear you need to stand up straight and spread your arms wide for that photo in your resume and when you meet the person whom you wish to impress. Just remember what your mother said, stand up straight!