Whether we are sitting down or standing up, still or moving, body posture influences our mood. Several studies have shown this link between physical posture and mood. Others have shown a relationship between our mood and our cognitive (认知的) performance, including memory, reasoning, learning, and the speed of reaction and processing of information.

So a logical question arises. Can body posture influence our cognitive performance?

Previously, a New Zealand team (University of Auckland) carried out an experiment on posture when we walk, especially in the street. The team had found a very clear influence of our posture on our mood and confidence. It appears that walking with a hunched back, bowed head and motionless arms have a negative influence on our mental state.

Indeed, the researchers found that the simple act of straightening up, standing up straight, with your head held high, and gazing forward gives us a serious boost of confidence. Not only does our spontaneous posture have a psychological effect, but by correcting it, it is possible to bring about improvement in the long term.

In this other study, this time carried out by an Austrian team (Friedrich Alexander University in Erlangen-Nuremberg), researchers observed the same phenomenon, this time in a sitting position. Young adults were invited to participate in tests presented as intended to assess their ability to concentrate. In fact, the researchers had them sit in different postures — from upright to very slumped (消沉) — in order to note their influences on mood and cognition.

A first observation indicates that “sitting upright” is associated with a better overall mood. It is also found to have a positive influence on the speed of processing information and completing tasks, although the test pass rate does not vary significantly with posture.

Finally, and surprisingly enough, blood pressure is a little more favorable in an upright position. To further complete the list of benefits of sitting upright, we will add that it is widely recommended for protecting the back in case of work that requires sitting for a long time.

【小题1】Why does the writer mention the studies at the beginning?

A．To introduce what cognitive performance is.

B．To emphasize the importance of body posture.

C．To prove the results of those studies are wrong.

D．To raise a new question to be studied and solved.

【小题2】What does the underlined word “hunched” mean in Paragraph 3?

A．Straightened.

B．Bent.

C．Loose.

D．Solid.

【小题3】What does the first study indicate?

A．Posture influences our mental state.	B．Straightening up has a negative effect.
C．Gazing upward builds up confidence.	D．Walking posture is especially important.

【小题4】What can we learn about sitting upright?

A．It has mental and physical benefits.	B．It helps improve the test pass rate.
C．It requires sitting for a long time.	D．It increases the blood pressure.