Listening to music in a group is often described as a powerful shared experience, fostering a sense of connection among listeners. A recent study, published in the journal “Scientific Reports” on Thursday, sheds light on this phenomenon, revealing that the physical responses of certain audience members during classical music concerts, such as heart rate and respiration, exhibit similarities.
The study indicates that individuals with an open personality are more likely to synchronize with the music. Wolfgang Schacher, a psychologist at the University of Bern leading the study, noted that when considering abstract matters like aesthetic experiences and our interaction with art and music, the body is consistently involved.
Known as “embodied cognition,” this theory proposes that the mind isn’t only linked to the body; rather, the body actively influences the mind—an idea that, while intuitive to many, remains a topic of debate in scientific circles.
During three classical music concerts featuring quintet compositions by Beethoven, Brahms, and contemporary Australian composer Brett Dean, Schacher and his colleagues observed 132 audience members. Equipped with cameras and wearable sensors, participants filled out questionnaires about their personalities both before and after the concerts to gauge their enjoyment and emotional states.
The researchers identified consistent patterns, with participants’ heart rates either increasing or decreasing during the same musical pieces. Additionally, levels of electrical activity recorded on the skin correlated with this response—higher activity indicating excitement and enthusiasm, while lower levels were associated with relaxation.
Cameras captured synchronous and similar body movements, even in low light conditions and during social distancing measures. Breathing rhythms also exhibited harmony without reaching synchronized inhalation and exhalation.
The study suggested that individuals with a predisposition for “openness to new experiences” were more inclined to harmonize with others. Conversely, those with avoidant behaviors or a tendency to be “fearful, avoid things, and experience more depressive moods,” as described by Wolfgang Schacher, were less likely to harmonize.
Interestingly, this trend extended to open-minded individuals, challenging expectations. Schacher explained that “open-minded people are very social, tend to mingle with others, seek positions of power, and possess a certain level of self-esteem,” implying that their focus might be less on the music.
These findings align with Wolfgang Schacher’s theory of embodied cognition and contribute to our understanding of the shared sense of unity experienced during events like military or celebratory marches. Schacher emphasized that the impact might be more pronounced in other music genres, citing the example of pop concerts where people move and dance, creating a more overt synchronization with the music.
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