New research finds a surprising downside to bodily synchrony between strangers
Falling into bodily sync with someone is supposed to build connection. In a new study of strangers playing a trust game, pairs whose sweat responses aligned most closely were actually less generous with each other.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B challenges the common belief that bodily synchrony between strangers fosters generosity and cooperation. Researchers found that when strangers played an unequal game of financial trust, partners whose sweat responses synchronized saw smaller returns sent back to the initial risk-taker, but only when they could see each other.
The findings indicate that sweat synchrony does not automatically promote cooperation, and its social effects depend on visual contact and the partner's emotional engagement.
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