Why humans love to bust a move | Dance, Dance Evolution

Summary

Humans have an innate connection to dance, found in every culture and community across the globe. Dance, often seen as a frivolity, serves a deeper social purpose, fostering a sense of unity and collective effervescence. This phenomenon, coined by sociologist Emile Durkheim, refers to the exhilaration felt when people unite for a common cause. Research by Bronwyn Tarr reveals how humans naturally synchronize movements, amplifying these shared feelings of joy and connection. Whether through music or dance, these experiences bond us together, creating the collective energy essential to our humanity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Humans universally engage in dance, regardless of culture or location, with different forms like the dandanda, polka, Bharatanatyam, and tango.
• 😀 Dance is often seen as frivolous, but it plays a significant role in human societies beyond just being fun.
• 😀 Dance became a human necessity due to our social nature and the need for connection within groups.
• 😀 Societies consist of groups that share customs, languages, symbols, and values, which are essential for human flourishing.
• 😀 Emile Durkheim's concept of 'collective effervescence' explains how shared experiences in groups bind people together despite their differences.
• 😀 'Collective effervescence' is a euphoric, almost spiritual experience where individuals feel a sense of unity with the group.
• 😀 Dance, particularly in ritual and sacred forms, accelerates collective effervescence, acting as a social glue within groups.
• 😀 Bronwyn Tarr, a dancer and evolutionary biologist, found that humans naturally synchronize their movements with others, enhancing the shared experience.
• 😀 Mimicking another person's movements triggers a neurological response that releases feel-good neurohormones, deepening the social bond.
• 😀 Music, through its ability to release endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, creates euphoric feelings that enhance the desire to dance and connect with others.

Q & A

What is the universal nature of dance across different cultures?

Dance is a fundamental human activity, present in all cultures regardless of location or time. Examples include the dandanda in Zimbabwe, the polka in Bohemia, Bharatanatyam in southern India, and the tango in Argentina. Despite cultural differences, all these dances share the common trait of using movement to express rhythm and emotion.

Why is dance considered more than just a frivolous activity?

While dance may appear to be a lighthearted activity, it serves as a powerful social function. It brings people together and creates shared experiences, which are vital for human flourishing. Dance fosters connection, joy, and unity within societies.

What is 'collective effervescence' according to Émile Durkheim?

Collective effervescence, as defined by Durkheim, refers to a state of exhilaration or euphoria experienced by a group of people engaged in a shared activity with a common purpose. It is an intense, almost spiritual, sense of unity and joy where individuals feel a loss of self-boundaries and become part of the collective whole.

How does collective effervescence apply to dance?

Dance, especially in its ritualistic and sacred forms, acts as a catalyst for collective effervescence. When people dance together, they experience a heightened sense of connection and shared excitement, reinforcing the social bonds between them and contributing to the cohesion of the group.

What role does synchronization play in human movement, according to Dr. Bronwyn Tarr's research?

Dr. Tarr's research reveals that humans have a natural tendency to synchronize their movements with others. This synchronization triggers neural networks in the brain, releasing neurohormones such as dopamine and oxytocin, which enhance feelings of joy and bonding between individuals.

How does mimicking others' movements affect us neurologically?

When we mimic another person's movements, both individuals experience a release of neurohormones. This process fosters connection and shared enjoyment, with similar neural networks being activated in both participants, resulting in a heightened sense of emotional and physical connection.

What impact does music have on our feelings and behavior?

Music triggers the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, including endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These chemicals can elevate mood, reduce pain tolerance, and make people feel euphoric, which often motivates them to dance or engage in synchronized movement.

How does the combination of music, dance, and shared experience create a sense of unity?

The combination of music, synchronized movement, and group effort amplifies the release of neurohormones, resulting in a euphoric, shared experience. This shared joy strengthens the social bonds between dancers, creating a powerful sense of unity and connection within the group.

What is the connection between music and dance in terms of collective effervescence?

Music serves as a catalyst for collective effervescence by triggering the brain’s reward system, leading to the release of feel-good chemicals. These chemicals increase the likelihood of dancing and synchronization with others, which, in turn, fosters a collective experience that binds the group together.

How does collective effervescence contribute to the cohesion of societies?

Collective effervescence plays a crucial role in social cohesion by creating intense, shared emotional experiences. It helps individuals feel connected to one another, reinforcing social bonds and making the group stronger. These shared experiences are fundamental to the functioning and unity of societies.