When leaders and followers have a good rapport, their brain-waves fall into a similar pattern. And when romantic couples are simply in each other’s presence, their cardiorespiratory and brain-wave patterns sync up, research has shown.
The latest study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, is the first to explore interpersonal synchronisation in the context of pain and touch.
Being in a happy relationship takes effort. But even simple things like holding hands can help.
Men, you may be more useful in the labour room than you realise, as a study has found that holding your partner’s hand synchronises your heart and respiratory rates and dissipates her pain.
The study of 22 couples is the latest in a growing body of research on “interpersonal synchronisation,” the phenomenon in which individuals begin to physiologically mirror the people they are with.
“The more empathic the partner and the stronger the analgesic effect, the higher the synchronisation between the two when they are touching,” said Pavel Goldstein from University of Colorado at Boulder in the US.
Scientists have long known that people subconsciously sync their footsteps with the person they are walking with or adjust their posture to mirror a friend’s during conversation.
Recent studies also show that when people watch an emotional movie or sing together, their heart rates and respiratory rhythms synchronise.
