Synchrony and exertion during dance independently raise pain threshold and encourage social bonding.
Group dancing is a ubiquitous human activity that involves exertive synchronized movement to music. It is hypothesized to play a role in social bonding, potentially via the release of endorphins, which are analgesic and rewardinducing, and have been implicated in primate social bonding. We used a 2x...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Royal Society
2015
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| Subjects: |
| Summary: | Group dancing is a ubiquitous human activity that involves exertive synchronized movement to music. It is hypothesized to play a role in social bonding, potentially via the release of endorphins, which are analgesic and rewardinducing, and have been implicated in primate social bonding. We used a 2x2 experimental design to examine effects of exertion and synchrony on bonding. Both demonstrated significant independent positive effects on pain threshold (a proxy for endorphin activation) and in-group bonding. This suggests that dance which involves both exertive and synchronized movement may be an effective group bonding activity. |
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