Posturing

Posturing means to behave in a manner that is intended to impress or mislead others. This might occur when one person is trying to act as though they are stronger or smarter than they really are in order to gain respect or fear from others. All of us have met people who "puff themselves up" in order to impress, or intimidate, the people around them. Another example that most of us can identify with is the male gorilla at the zoo who beats his chest and vocalizes loudly to intimidate other male gorillas.