Glossary // Glossary term Empirical

Entrainment

The alignment of a rhythmic process with an external rhythm, such as tapping or dancing in time with a musical beat. Social entrainment is the special case in which the rhythm comes from another person, so that individuals coordinate their movements with one another. It is a precondition for the interpersonal synchrony studied in relation to affiliation and cooperation, but entrainment itself describes timing, not the emotional or social consequences sometimes attributed to it.

Where the site uses it

Collective rhythm: synchrony, exertion and social bonding
What moving in time with others does to people: evidence that synchrony increases affiliation and cooperation, that group dance raises pain thresholds, and that musical peaks engage the brain's reward system.
Use shared rhythm for connection, and be clear about what it gives you
Dancing, singing and moving in synchrony with others increases closeness and cooperation and lifts mood acutely. Treat these as real benefits, and do not expect them to resolve the difficulties you bring with you.

Studies behind it

The works the definition rests on, with the level of evidence each was appraised at.

Phillips-Silver, J., Aktipis, C. A., & Bryant, G. A. (2010). The ecology of entrainment: Foundations of coordinated rhythmic movement. doi:10.1525/mp.2010.28.1.3

Level D Theory

Supports the definition of entrainment and of social entrainment as coordination with a rhythm produced by another individual. Theory; it does not test emotional or social outcomes.
Janata, P., Tomic, S. T., & Haberman, J. M. (2012). Sensorimotor coupling in music and the psychology of the groove. doi:10.1037/a0024208

Level B Experiment

Supports the claim that experienced groove is linked to the quality of sensorimotor coupling with music. Says nothing about emotional recovery or social outcomes.