Scientists claim sitting up straight at desks can boost our confidence

Most of us will remember the telling off we used to get from our parents if we didn't sit up straight as children.

But it seems good posture is not the only reason we would have done well to heed their advice - scientists claim it could also make us more confident.

In an experiment, people were told to sit up straight or slump over their desks. They were then told to list three positive or negative personal traits relating to their future career.

Scientists claim people who sit up straight at desks, instead of slouching, boost their confidence

Afterwards they took a survey in which they rated themselves on how well they would do as a future professional.

This found that the answers of those who held the upright posture were more likely to be in line with the traits they had written down earlier - a sign that sitting up straight reinforces positive thoughts.

Professor Richard Petty, co-author of the study and professor of psychology at Ohio State University, said: 'It turns out that our posture can also affect how we think about ourselves.

'Sitting up straight is something you can train yourself to do, and it has psychological benefits.'