Re: affectivity: feelings and emotions
AMY BETH KATZ (akatz who-is-at CLEMSON.EDU)
Wed, 25 Feb 1998 17:30:27
When I first joined this list, I wrote that one of my research interests
was "synchronisity" (this is William Condon's term as cited in Hall's Dance
of Life): I've been waiting for others to get around to this intriguing
topic. I'm afraid I don't know too much about this yet; it amazes me that
more research has not been done in this area. But I recently read about
"Attunement theory", which seems to be the same idea: developmental
psychologists have done studies that shows that a mother's voice causes
physical movement in an infant. I use another example in my nonverbal comm
classes: sales people (as well as counselors) know that if they want to
"open" a buyer up, they should physically position themselves so they are
mirroring their customer, who is likely to be in a "Closed" position (arms
& legs crossed, tense body, etc.) Then the salesperson slowly moves
themself into an open, relaxed position. The customer will then (often)
move to mirror the salesperson, and open themself up. Once they are in an
open physical position, they become more open emotionally (and thus
suggestable.) THis goes along perfectly with what Hall wrote about. The
example in a previous message, with kids on a playground, is really a type
of "dancing". But he mentions another experiment where two people who are
very close are being filmed talking, and when a frame-by-frame analysis is
done, you can see their movements perfectly mirror eachothers: they are
synchronised, over a period of several minutes.
THis is really mind boggling, because it shows how connected we are through
emotions. One last example that seems to tie into this: how often have
you seen someone get tears in there eyes, or you hear tears in their voice,
and you instantly have a rush of emotion and get teary eyed?
Thank you Angel for the sources you gave about teachers-students in Alaska.
I haven't read anything about synchronicity in the classroom, but I know
it happens because I often witness it myself. I know Hall claims that the
only way you can really see this "dance" is when it is filmed and viewed in
slow motion, but I have seen it happening myself. There must be others who
are aware of this to: that often times another person's emotions,
transmitted through their voice or body, has a direct effect on your
body-emotions???
Amy