Upright sitting linked to higher confidence and smarter risk choices in lab study

In a controlled laboratory test, nearly 200 volunteers from the McGill community were assigned to different tablet setups that encouraged either an upright or a slouched posture, without being told why. The upright configuration prompted participants to sit straight, while the lower tablet led to a forward-leaning stance. When playing a virtual balloon-inflation game, the upright group took more effective risks and accumulated higher rewards, and they also reported greater feelings of pride on a post-task questionnaire.

Post-experiment interviews revealed that most participants were unaware of the posture manipulation, reducing the likelihood of demand effects. Video analysis verified the intended neck-angle changes, a methodological improvement over prior studies. The findings suggest that everyday ergonomic design could modestly influence mood and decision-making, according to senior author Jorge Armony.