Brains, Brawn and the Social Bonds: Evolutionary and Psychological Perspectives on Synchronous Group Exercise

Humans are highly motivated to engage in coordinated action. We dance, participate in sports and ceremonial rituals together. Social scientists have long speculated about the possible role of such activities in promoting social solidarity and cooperation. Do people who move together bond together? In this talk I discuss the physiological, psychological and social effects of group exercise in humans and its cross-cultural ubiquity in religion, sport, music and dance.