Professor Claims Standing Posture Can Reveal Psychopathic Traits

Večernji List reports on a provocative claim by Professor Susan Krauss Whitbourne, who suggests that a subtle cue in body language—specifically, the way someone stands—could reveal psychopathic tendencies. While psychopaths are often perceived as charming, Whitbourne posits that individuals exhibiting large, open, and dominant postures may be more prone to manipulation and exploitation.

This assertion is based on studies conducted at McGill University, where researchers found a consistent link between more dominant stances and higher scores on tests measuring psychopathic traits among young adults. The idea is that an expansive and upright posture might signal an individual's intent to control or dominate others, contrasting with a more subdued or closed-off stance often associated with deference.

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One of the main signs that might alert you to someone's intention to control you is an open, upright, and expansive stance.

However, Večernji List emphasizes that this remains a topic within popular psychology rather than established science. Both Professor Whitbourne and the researchers acknowledge the limitations, noting that a person's natural stance, potentially influenced by activities like dance or sports, could be mistaken for a sign of psychopathy. The key takeaway, according to the article, is not simply standing tall, but rather the *variability*—or lack thereof—in one's posture across different social contexts. An inability or unwillingness to adapt body language to the situation might be a more telling indicator of deeper issues than a consistently upright posture.

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What if you are the type of person who simply stands up straight naturally? Perhaps you were lucky enough to attend dance classes or participate in sports in your youth, and a stable posture is one of the benefits of that.