Researchers discovered that wearing tight shapewear may reduce risk-taking behavior in a gambling task, suggesting that physical sensations influence decision-making in unexpected ways.
The experiment, covered by New Scientist's Feedback column, had participants wear or go without compressing shapewear while playing a card game designed to measure risk tolerance. Those wearing shapewear made more conservative choices than those without it, demonstrating a link between bodily sensations and behavioral outcomes.
The finding taps into embodied cognition, a field of research suggesting that physical sensations shape how people think and behave. Previous studies have shown that holding a warm cup makes people perceive others as warmer, and that posture influences confidence. This work extends that principle to risk assessment.
The mechanism remains unclear. Tight compression may trigger a physical restraint response that translates to decision-making restraint. Alternatively, the sensation of constriction could activate an innate protective instinct, making people psychologically more cautious. The brain's tendency to link bodily states with emotional and cognitive states offers plausible explanations, though researchers acknowledge the connection needs further investigation.
The experiment comes with notable limitations. The sample size appears small, and a single gambling task may not reflect real-world risk-taking across different contexts. Shapewear effects could fade with habituation. The study also does not clarify whether the effect depends on awareness of wearing the garment or operates subconsciously.
Despite these constraints, the work illustrates how peripheral bodily sensations can subtly alter cognition. Fashion choices may carry hidden psychological costs or benefits. For insurance companies, financial advisors, or anyone influencing high-stakes decisions, understanding these embodied effects could matter. The research invites skepticism paired with curiosity, reflecting the Feedback column's characteristic tone. Larger, more rigorous studies would determine whether shapewear genuinely