Social Engineering Blogs

The 2014 World Series ended with the San Francisco Giants narrowly winning 3-2 over the Kansas City Royals. It had been 35 years since the last road team won Game 7.

The final out of the 9th inning was made when Giant Pablo Sandoval caught a foul ball. The picture above shows him moments after catching the game winning ball.

It’s a great example of a dominance display.

In a study conducted by researchers at San Francisco State University, led by Humintell Director Dr. David Matsumoto, it turns out that athletes’ first reaction after victory is to strut. Or at least the modern version of it, which includes throwing their hands up in the air, puffing out their chest and pulling their head back, all while wearing an enormous grin of satisfaction on their faces. This so called “victory stance” may be inherited and athletes instinctively display this “aggressive dominance” over their opponent.

Look familiar?

Take a look at the pose of Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner at virtually the same moment.