Avoid the iHunch

As we spend more and more time on our phones and tablets, could this habit negatively impact our confidence, assertiveness, and as a result, very likely our ability to perform at our best on the field of play? An interesting study by social psychologist, Amy Cuddy, suggests this might be an issue. 

In this study Cuddy and her colleague hypothesized that “iHunching” (the closed posture many of us have as we are looking at our phones) would make people behave less assertively.

To test this, they had subjects answer a generic 5-minute questionnaire on an electronic device.  The device varied among the subjects.  The devices included an iPod Touch, an iPad, a MacBook Pro laptop computer or an iMac desktop computer.  After the individual completed the survey the experimenter returned, took the device, pointed at the clock and said, “I will be back in 5-minutes to debrief you and pay you so you can leave.  If I’m not back in 5-minutes please come get me at the front desk.”    

The experimenter then waited 10 minutes before they returned.  Sure enough, those who worked on devices that required a closed posture to answer the questions (iPod Touch & iPad) where much less likely to get up and find the researcher than those who worked on devices that required a more open posture.  The percent who were assertive for each device is shown below:

  • iPod Touch – 50%

  • iPad – 71%

  • Laptop – 88%

  • Desktop – 90%

This is a cautionary tale that should encourage you to avoid spending that pregame time looking at your phone in the iHunch posture. For we want to enter a competition feeling as assertive and confident as possible. This posture may prevent that; so avoid it at all costs.

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Tom Klisiewiczstudent athletes