Approach motivational body postures lean toward left frontal brain activity

The present experiment examined the effect of different approach motivational body postures on relative left frontal cortical activity, which has been linked with approach motivation. Three body postures were manipulated to create three levels of approach motivation. Consistent with the motivational direction model, results indicated that leaning forward with arms extended (high approach) caused greater left frontal cortical activation as compared to reclining backwards (low approach). This is the first experiment to demonstrate this effect, and it suggests that leaning forward as compared to reclining backward increases approach motivation. These results provide important implications for the motivational direction model and embodiment research.