Decoded Science

  • Home
  • Headlines
  • General Science
  • Applied Science
    • Calculations
    • Economics
    • Engineering
      • Aviation
      • Civil Engineering
    • Medical Science
      • Health
      • Neuroscience
      • Oncology
      • Veterinary Science
    • Political Science
      • Polling
    • Mathematics
    • Technology
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Computing
      • Electronics
      • Gadgets
    • Social Science
      • Cognitive Science
      • Psychology
      • Sociology
      • Anthropology
        • Linguistics
  • Physical Science
    • Archaeology
    • Astronomy
    • Chemistry
      • Materials Science
    • Geoscience
      • Climate Change
      • The Environment
      • Geology
      • Meteorology
      • Oceanography
    • Life Science
      • Biology
        • Botany
        • Zoology
          • Marine Biology
          • Entomology
          • Microbiology
        • Paleontology
        • Ecology
    • Nuclear Science
  • Theoretical Science
    • Physics
    • Math Theory
  • About Us
    • Contact Decoded Science
    • Ask the Expert
    • Meet Our Experts
    • Meet Our Sponsors:
    • Browse All Articles
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use Agreement
  • Support Decoded Science

The Body Language of Winners: Dominance Threats and Triumph

January 12, 2014 by Gina Putt Leave a Comment

Share5
+1
Tweet
Share
Pin
5 Shares
Winner's gestures reveal dominance. Image by Alvimann,\.

Winner’s gestures reveal dominance. Image by Alvimann,\.

What do winners look like?  Studies of primates indicate that body language conveys information about social status.  Researchers Hyisung C. Hwang and David Matusmoto of the San Francisco State University examined the body language of winners of Olympic judo matches, theorizing that at the moment of winning, the winner would express body language associated with dominance.  Their work further clarifies what a winner looks like.

Facial Features and Social Rank

Other research had identified physical facial features in primates that are connected with higher social rank, such as “”thinner lips, broad chins, receding hairline…closeness of eyes..” according to Hwang and Matusmoto.  Many of these features, Dr. Matusumoto noted, researchers assumed  to be genetic.  In an exclusive interview with Decoded Science, Matsumoto stated, “previous research has implied that genetics plays a large part in producing those facial characteristics associated with dominance.”

Rather than commenting on facial features, Hwang and Matsumoto sought to further refine what a winning bodily reaction looked like before the winner had a chance to think about the win.  What is the most immediate response?  What was the signal that someone was now dominant?




Winning and Dominance: The Research Design

Researchers watched recordings of the end judo matches from the matches which included 14 weight categories in the Olympic matches and 6 in the Paralympic matches.  The winner’s initial bodily reactions were coded, noting a presence or absence of fifteen “triumph expressions.”  Among the possible bodily reactions included items such as “arms raised above shoulder” and “grimace” to “mouth open,” “thumbs up” and “torso pushed out.”

The researchers coded the intensity of each action on a four point scale.  The researchers then grouped similar gestures together into categories termed “Expansion,” “Aggression,” or “Attention.”   Expansive body moves included raising the arms or pushing out the torso.  Aggressive moves included grimacing. punching motions, and shouts.  Moves labeled “Attention” included gazing directly. Together, these reactions were also termed “Triumph.”

Other bodily reactions were labeled “pride.”  Bodily expressions of pride are “more relaxed postures of the prototypical pride expressions.” One example, which was not seen in this study of immediate physical reactions was placing hands on the hips. Pride is described as “different and possibly appear later….the expression of pride signals satisfaction with the self and lacks the aggressive, taunting qualities of the intense signal of dominance threat.”

In the study, some results varied by gender. Women winners smiled more. Men scored higher on pushing out their torso and leaning back.

Winners have unique body language. Image by cenal1

Winners have unique body language. Image by cenal1

Winner Body Language: Results by Country

Since “there were limited numbers of players from each country, which impacted the country samples” researchers call for larger scale analysis.  Previous research by Dr. Motsumoto published in 2009 found that culture influences facial expressions.  In that study, “Athletes from relatively urban, individualistic cultures expressed their emotions more, whereas athletes from less urban, collectivistic cultures masked their emotions more.”  Since this research attempts to document the moment of dominance, it is possible that further research would not note such differences.

The Body Language of Triumph: Most Notable Finding

Dr. Matsumoso explains the importance of his research, “The discovery of triumph expressions in humans across many cultures and among blind individuals suggests the possibility universality of a new emotion, which has heretofore never been suggested. It links this reaction to those of other animals in agonistic encounters, and is certainly relevant to establishing status hierarchies in communities, which is important for any group.”

Why Judo?

There’s no reason to believe that expressions of triumph are unique to judo.  So why judo and not, say, boxing, or fencing?  Dr. Matsumoto explains, “I am the former US Olympic coach for judo in 1996 and 2000, and have many ties in the international judo world. We do have the source material now for many other sports and hope to do that study in the future.”  The revelation of a new, potentially universal, bodily signal is a triumph for everyone interested in understanding the nature of social groups.

Next time your friend beats you at a game, watch out for the body language of triumph.

Share5
+1
Tweet
Share
Pin
5 Shares

Filed Under: Headlines, Social Science Tagged With: body language, dominance, threat, triumph, victory

Resources for this article

Hwang, Hyisung, et al. Dominance threat display for victory and achievement. (2014). Motivation and Emotion. Accessed on January 12, 2014


Motsumoto, David, et al. Sequential dynamics and culturally moderated facial expressions of emotion.. (2009). Psychological Science. Accessed on January 12, 2014




Decoded Everything is a non-profit corporation, dependent on donations from readers like you. Donate now! Your support keeps the great information coming!

Donation Information

I would like to make a donation in the amount of:

$500$200$100$50$20$10$5Other
Other:

I would like this donation to automatically repeat each month

Tribute Gift

Check here to donate in honor or memory of someone
Check here if this is a memorial gift
Name of person to be honored:
Send acknowledgement via email
Send acknowledgement via postal mail
Email Name:
Email:
Name:
Address:
City:
State :
Province:
Country:
Postal Code:

Donor Information

First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
Please do not display my name publicly. I would like to remain anonymous
Add me to your mailing list

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Connect with:
Facebook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About the Author

Gina Putt

Gina Barrett Putt holds a Master's degree in Sociology from the University of South Alabama and has taught both psychology and sociology at the college level. She possesses experience in housing, gerontology, mental health, and ... Read Full Profile

Follow Decoded Science

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
signupheredailydosedecsciv2


Science Everyone's Talking About

  • Genetically Modified Organisms: Pros and Cons of GMO Food Genetically Modified Organisms: Pros and Cons of GMO Food What are the benefits and risks of genetically modified... under Headlines, Health
  • Comparing the Genetic Code of DNA to Binary Code Comparing the Genetic Code of DNA to Binary Code Does DNA store information in the same way that a compu... under Information Science, Mathematics
  • Introducing the Factorial: the Exclamation Mark of Math Introducing the Factorial: the Exclamation Mark of Math What is a factorial, and how is the exclamation point u... under Math Theory
  • Himalayan Ice Loss, Extra-Terrestrial Water and the European Settlement of the Americas: Geoscience 1-7 February 2019 Himalayan Ice Loss, Extra-Terrestrial Water and the European Settlement of the Americas: Geoscience 1-7 February 2019 This week we go back in time, travel into outer space a... under Geoscience, Headlines, Weekly Features
  • Did the Temple of Solomon Define Pi in the Bible? Did the Temple of Solomon Define Pi in the Bible? King Solomon's temple featured a 'Molten Sea' that incl... under Calculations, Headlines

Today's Most Popular Science Articles

  • Introducing Math Symbols for Union and Intersection Introducing Math Symbols for Union and Intersection
  • Norovirus Facts: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Stomach Flu Norovirus Facts: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Stomach Flu
  • Which Chemical Bond is Stronger: Ionic vs. Covalent Bonds Which Chemical Bond is Stronger: Ionic vs. Covalent Bonds
  • Stomach Flu Cramps: Is There Anything You Can Do For Norovirus Symptoms? Stomach Flu Cramps: Is There Anything You Can Do For Norovirus Symptoms?
  • Introducing the Factorial: the Exclamation Mark of Math Introducing the Factorial: the Exclamation Mark of Math
  • Cross Multiply to Solve Equations with Fractions Cross Multiply to Solve Equations with Fractions
  • Genetically Modified Organisms: Pros and Cons of GMO Food Genetically Modified Organisms: Pros and Cons of GMO Food

Copyright © 2019 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

MENU
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • General Science
  • Applied Science
    • Calculations
    • Economics
    • Engineering
      • Aviation
      • Civil Engineering
    • Medical Science
      • Health
      • Neuroscience
      • Oncology
      • Veterinary Science
    • Political Science
      • Polling
    • Mathematics
    • Technology
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Computing
      • Electronics
      • Gadgets
    • Social Science
      • Cognitive Science
      • Psychology
      • Sociology
      • Anthropology
        • Linguistics
  • Physical Science
    • Archaeology
    • Astronomy
    • Chemistry
      • Materials Science
    • Geoscience
      • Climate Change
      • The Environment
      • Geology
      • Meteorology
      • Oceanography
    • Life Science
      • Biology
        • Botany
        • Zoology
          • Marine Biology
          • Entomology
          • Microbiology
        • Paleontology
        • Ecology
    • Nuclear Science
  • Theoretical Science
    • Physics
    • Math Theory
  • About Us
    • Contact Decoded Science
    • Ask the Expert
    • Meet Our Experts
    • Meet Our Sponsors:
    • Browse All Articles
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use Agreement
  • Support Decoded Science