Studies // Cited work
Synchronized arousal between performers and related spectators in a fire-walking ritual
Konvalinka, I., Xygalatas, D., Bulbulia, J., Schjødt, U., Jegindø, E.-M., Wallot, S., Van Orden, G., & Roepstorff, A. (2011). Synchronized arousal between performers and related spectators in a fire-walking ritual.
Level D Cross-sectional study doi:10.1073/pnas.1016955108
What this study supports
Supports the claim that heart-rate dynamics showed fine-grained commonalities between fire-walkers and related spectators but not unrelated spectators. A single field study; it measured shared arousal, not wellbeing or later outcomes.
- Who was studied
- 38 participants at a Spanish fire-walking ritual: fire-walkers, related spectators and unrelated spectators.
- Design
- Cross-sectional study
- Level of evidence
- Cross-sectional, observational, qualitative work and narrative reviews.
Claims that rest on it
Each claim states what the site asserts, at what strength, and with what caveat.
EmpiricalLevel DConfidence MODERATE
In a field study of 38 people at a fire-walking ritual, heart-rate dynamics showed fine-grained commonalities between fire-walkers and related spectators but not unrelated spectators.
- Scope
- One ritual in one community, measured during the event.
- Caveat
- Shared arousal is a physiological association; it does not show shared feeling, wellbeing or any later change.
Last reviewed · Review due · ritual-synchronized-arousal-field