Amy Cuddy: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

Amy Joy Casselberry Cuddy (born 1972) is an American social psychologist known for her research on stereotyping and discrimination, emotions, power, nonverbal behavior, and the effects of social stimuli on hormone levels. She is Associate Professor of Business Administration in the Negotiation, Organizations & Markets Unit at Harvard Business School. Her TEDTalk, delivered at TEDGlobal 2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and posted in October 2012, has been viewed more than 16 million times and ranks among the top 2 most-viewed TEDTalks.

Cuddy studies the origins and outcomes of how people judge and influence each other. She has conducted experimental and correlational research on stereotyping and discrimination against various groups (e.g., Asian Americans, elderly people, Latinos, working mothers), the causes and consequences of feeling ambivalent emotions (e.g., envy and pity), nonverbal behavior and communication, and hormonal responses to social stimuli. 

Amy Cuddy was listed #1 in Time Magazine's list of "Game Changers, ...innovators and problem-solvers that are inspiring change in America".

She often speaks on the psychology of power, influence, nonverbal communication, and prejudice.

There has been a lot of research into how others perceive our body language, and the importance of sending the right message. However, Amy Cuddy delves into how we are influenced by our own body language — and how a few strategic power poses can make a world of difference in our self-confidence and stress levels.

Courtesy: TED & Wikipedia