Studies // Cited work
It's all in the timing: Interpersonal synchrony increases affiliation
Hove, M. J., & Risen, J. L. (2009). It's all in the timing: Interpersonal synchrony increases affiliation.
Level B Experiment doi:10.1521/soco.2009.27.6.949
What this study supports
Supports the claim that the degree of interpersonal synchrony predicted affiliation ratings. A minimal laboratory task far removed from dance or crowds.
- Who was studied
- Participants in three finger-tapping experiments with an experimenter tapping in or out of synchrony.
- Design
- Experiment
- Level of evidence
- Controlled studies: randomised or experimental designs, and syntheses of correlational work.
Claims that rest on it
Each claim states what the site asserts, at what strength, and with what caveat.
EmpiricalLevel BConfidence HIGH
Moving or tapping in synchrony with others increased liking for a partner and later cooperation, including cooperation that required personal sacrifice.
- Scope
- Short laboratory tasks with small groups or pairs, outcomes measured shortly afterwards.
- Caveat
- The tasks are minimal compared with dance or crowds, and long-term effects were not measured.
Last reviewed · Review due · synchrony-affiliation-cooperation
EmpiricalLevel BConfidence HIGH
The cited synchrony and music studies measured liking, cooperation, pain thresholds, closeness and reward responses during or shortly after the activity, and provide insufficient evidence that collective rhythm reduces the difficulties people bring into it.
- Scope
- The outcomes measured in the synchrony and music studies cited on this site.
- Caveat
- Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence; longer-term studies could find lasting benefits.
Last reviewed · Review due · synchrony-evidence-short-term