| Training and studying self defense can lead to | | | | slower than others and had an awkward body |
| greater self confidence. But, can this greater self | | | | movement. |
| confidence lessen the chances of you being selected | | | | The people who were considered to be harder |
| as a target? | | | | targets moved with a sense of purpose and the |
| Two researchers, Grayson and Stein did a study in | | | | movement was smoother and more coordinated. |
| New York where they filmed random people walking | | | | Also, in line with this is people's posture and where |
| down a busy street. The people being filmed were | | | | they are looking when walking. A slumped posture |
| unaware of this. They then showed the footage to a | | | | gives the impression that the person is weak and |
| group of convicted criminals and asked them to | | | | lacks confidence. More confident people tend to have |
| identify people who would make easy targets and | | | | an upright posture with their shoulders back slightly. |
| those they considered would be best to avoid. | | | | Staring down towards the ground makes people |
| Within a few seconds the convicted criminals had | | | | appear preoccupied and unaware. People who look |
| made their decision. It appeared that people were | | | | around at their surroundings show that they are |
| considered to be easy targets based on movement | | | | switched on and are considered to be harder targets. |
| and co-ordination rather than simply age, race, gender | | | | From this we can conclude that people who are |
| or size. | | | | confident and aware are less likely to be selected as |
| The easy targets looked as if they had an unnatural | | | | a victim. Proper self defense training will help you gain |
| walk or stride. They tended, on the whole, to walk | | | | this confidence. |