How can you learn to respond constructively to criticism or make smarter financial decisions? One of the important steps in this direction can be a change of wardrobe.
“Not everyone is smart who is dressed in silk,” says folk wisdom. And although it is difficult to argue with her, there seems to be some connection between thinking and clothing style. American psychologists invited student volunteers to take a series of well-known cognitive tests, while comparing their results with how the subjects were dressed (1). The approach, you see, is unexpected and even extravagant. but quite quickly, a clear correlation was discovered: those who were dressed more formally demonstrated a broader outlook and a more pronounced tendency to abstract thinking. (boys – in jackets and ties, girls – in formal business suits).
Scientists themselves did not expect such a turn of events and decided to check the results. They now asked participants to come to testing in formal attire (“the way you would show up for a job interview,” the ad read). The hypothesis was completely confirmed – formally dressed students were much more successful in solving problems that require a more general understanding of the situation and abstract thinking skills. What’s more, even the students who wore jeans and T-shirts in the first experiments and who took subsequent tests in jackets also demonstrated a significantly higher level of abstract thinking.
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“Wearing a formal suit makes us feel stronger, more powerful. And therefore, it changes our view of the world at the most basic, fundamental level, ”said Abraham Rutchick, professor of psychology at California State University Northridge (USA), to The Atlantic (2). In his opinion, such a view helps not to get hung up on small and minor details, but to see a more holistic overall picture and better assess global prospects. This, in turn, can be extremely helpful in many life circumstances. For example, abstract thinking helps to respond more constructively to criticism, avoiding lowering self-esteem. Or it allows you to avoid impulsive spending in favor of more reasonable and balanced financial decisions.
At the same time, Ratchik’s colleague and co-author Michael Slepian of Columbia Business School believes that the impact of formal attire on our way of thinking persists even if we wear formal attire all the time.. “It doesn’t matter if you dress like this every day or once a year for a friends wedding,” he says. – In any case, a formal suit indicates that you are in a situation that involves a lower level of comfort and relaxation than, say, at home. Therefore, your behavior and way of thinking change accordingly.”
It is worth noting that studies linking the characteristics of psychology and behavior with the style of clothing have practically not been conducted before. However, if psychologists consider this direction promising, and the current conclusions of Ratchik, Slepyan and their colleagues are confirmed, the day is probably not far off when a strict dress code will become mandatory for any office. An exception, perhaps, should be made for jewelers and watchmakers, who cannot do without attention to small details.
1. Michael L. Slepian, Simon N. Ferber, Joshua M. Gold, Abraham M. Rutchick «The Cognitive Consequences of Formal Clothing». Online publication on the website of the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science from March 31, 2015.
2. Read more in the magazine