Scientists discover "Super Synchronizers" with heightened romantic appeal
What methods measured physiological synchrony in the study?
The study used Empatica E4 wristbands to measure electrodermal activity, providing a continuous record of physiological arousal levels during speed dates. Additionally, a finger-tapping task was employed to measure nonsocial synchrony, assessing participants' ability to synchronize with an external, non-human rhythm.
What were the main findings of the online experiment on synchrony?
The online experiment on synchrony found that participants rated both the actors and their perceived mutual attraction higher in the high synchrony condition compared to the low synchrony condition. This demonstrated that synchrony between individuals during interactions could enhance their perceived attractiveness, suggesting that synchrony might play an active role in eliciting attraction rather than being merely a consequence of it.
How did the speed-dating experiment assess synchrony's role in attraction?
The speed-dating experiment assessed synchrony's role in attraction by having 48 participants engage in four speed-dates with different partners. Electrodermal activity was measured using wristbands, and synchrony scores were calculated based on the correlation between partners' activity levels during dates. Participants also completed a finger-tapping task to measure nonsocial synchrony. Results showed that individuals who consistently exhibited higher synchrony, regardless of partner or task, were rated as more attractive by their speed-dating partners.