The Science of Synchronized Movement

The Science of Happiness

PRX and Greater Good Science Center

Science, Social Sciences

4.4 • 1.9K Ratings

🗓️ 8 December 2022

⏱️ 19 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Moving in sync with someone else — even a total stranger — can change how you feel about them, and how you act, without you realizing it.

Episode summary:

When was the last time you moved in sync with someone else? Dancing, exercising, even just walking in step — for some, it comes easily, for others, it’s a challenge. But can moving to the same beat make all of us kinder to one another? This week, our guest Chris Duffy steps out of his comfort zone to try a practice in Body Music, rhythmically making sounds just by tapping your body, with body percussionist Keith Terry. Later, we learn how tapping in sync with someone else tricks you into thinking you have more in common with them, and can make you more inclined to help them.

Practice:

To start, stand up. Clap your hands together in front of your chest, then tap your left palm to your right chest, then right hand to your left chest. Repeat at a steady cadence.
Next, cap your hands together in front of your chest, then tap your left hand to your right chest, then right hand to your left chest, the right hand to top of your right thigh, then left hand to left thigh. Repeat at a steady cadence.
You can add on by tapping your right hand to your right buttocks and left hand to left buttocks after you finish tapping both thighs in step 2. Repeat (including all of step 2) at a steady cadence.
To add even more complexity, stomp each foot one at a time after completing all of step 3. Repeat at a steady cadence.

Check out a video of body percussionist Keith Terry performing this practice (and try it with a friend!):

https://tinyurl.com/mwffv447

Today’s guests:

Chris Duffy is a comedian, writer, and host of the TED podcast How to Be A Better Human.

Listen to Chris’s podcast, How to Be a Better Human: https://tinyurl.com/bdey9pm5

Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisiduffy/

Follow Chris on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopheriduffy

Check out Chris’s comedy: https://chrisduffycomedy.com/videos

Keith Terry is a body percussionist and creator of the Body Music practice Chris tried today.

Learn more about Keith’s work: https://crosspulse.com/keith-terry/

Check out one of Keith’s original compositions: https://tinyurl.com/ybhweyux

Piercarlo Valdesolo is a psychologist and Chair of Psychological Science at Claremont McKenna College in California.

Learn more about Piercarolo’s work: http://www.valdesolo.com/

Check out the Moral Emotions and Trust Lab: http://www.valdesolo.com/meat-lab

Resources from The Greater Good Science Center:

How Music Bonds Us Together https://tinyurl.com/329scmf6

To Resolve Conflicts, Get Up and Move https://tinyurl.com/bdf6zswn

Five Ways Music Can Make You a Better Person https://tinyurl.com/mwa22r8m

How to Train the Compassionate Brain https://tinyurl.com/32nbuh94

More Resources on Synchronized Movement

PRX - Body Music with Keith Terry https://tinyurl.com/2p8tz5j3

Scientific American - Moving in Sync Creates Surprising Social Bonds among People https://tinyurl.com/3y3ahfa3

Oxford University - Let’s dance: synchronised movement helps us tolerate pain and foster friendship https://tinyurl.com/c8tvrmdx

Science Daily - Social Synchronicity https://tinyurl.com/4mzvahe

Tell us about your experiences and struggles with body music or moving in sync. Email us at [email protected] or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

Help us share The Science of Happiness!

Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	I think many a comedian would tell you that the reason why they got into comedy, this
0:05.4	is certainly true for me, is because I was not good at sports.
0:08.0	I was bad at sports, and so how do you bond with other kids?
0:10.9	Well, you can't be the one who catches the football or throws the baseball well, and
0:14.6	they're never going to like you for your ability that, so then I'm like, well, I'm the
0:17.5	one who makes the smart comment on the side who makes the funny joke.
0:23.4	I have some hangups about my body.
0:25.4	I don't think of myself as being a good dancer.
0:28.0	I don't think of myself as being very coordinated.
0:31.5	So much of what I do on a day to day involves being in my head, involves thinking, analyzing,
0:37.9	coming up with quick thoughts and responses.
0:40.7	It's very much not a body job to be a comedian, especially to be a writer, and I live a life
0:45.9	where I am often in my head, and I've rewarded for being in my head, and as a result, I sometimes
0:51.2	feel disconnected from my body.
0:53.1	I think I do associate physical actions a little bit more with like failure and risk.
1:02.8	When we dance or play football or do Tai Chi or yoga, one thing that's in common is that
1:08.2	we're moving our bodies in time with others.
1:11.8	These synchronized actions tie us together, making us feel like a cohesive unit.
1:16.8	This is the science of happiness I'm Decker Keltner.
1:19.7	This week we're exploring what happens when we get out of our heads and into our bodies,
1:24.3	in sync.
1:25.6	Our guest today, Chris Duffy, is a comedian, television writer, and host of the podcast,
	...

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