Glossary // Glossary term Empirical

Interpersonal synchrony

The temporal coordination of movement, sound or physiology between people, such as tapping, walking, singing or dancing in time. Experiments have associated synchronous activity with greater reported affiliation, cooperation and, in dance, higher pain thresholds, an effect used as an indirect marker of endorphin activity. Effects are typically measured shortly after brief laboratory tasks, so their duration and their size in real-world groups are less well established.

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.

Hove, M. J., & Risen, J. L. (2009). It's all in the timing: Interpersonal synchrony increases affiliation. doi:10.1521/soco.2009.27.6.949

Level B Experiment

Supports the claim that the degree of interpersonal synchrony predicted affiliation ratings. A minimal laboratory task far removed from dance or crowds.
Wiltermuth, S. S., & Heath, C. (2009). Synchrony and cooperation. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02253.x

Level B Experiment

Supports the claim that synchronous activity increased later cooperation, including under personal cost. Short laboratory tasks; long-term effects were not studied.
Tarr, B., Launay, J., Cohen, E., & Dunbar, R. (2015). Synchrony and exertion during dance independently raise pain threshold and encourage social bonding. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2015.0767

Level B Experiment

Supports the claim that synchrony and exertion each raised pain thresholds and in-group bonding. Pain threshold is a proxy for endorphin activity, which was not measured directly.