We're wired to sync with one another-and that shapes attraction, trust, and belonging

"Bring two or more people together and they will immediately begin to synchronize or fall into rhythm with one another. Not only do we tend to subconsciously mimic one another's movements, postures, facial expressions, and gestures, but recent breakthroughs in technology have revealed we also sync up our heart rates, blood pressure, brain waves, pupil dilation, and hormonal activity. This phenomenon is known as interpersonal synchrony, and it is possibly the most consequential social dynamic most people have never heard of."

"Interpersonal synchrony is significant because, by subconsciously mimicking even the subtlest twitches of expression and biological rhythms of other people, we can channel their thoughts and feelings. When we reflexively smile upon observing someone else's joy, we feel their happiness. When we flinch at the sight of someone being hit, we intuit their pain. Syncing with their racing heart gives us a read on their anxiety."

"Humans are instinctively wired to sync with one another, and this invisible alignment of bodies, brains, and emotions shapes attraction, trust, and belonging. It can deepen connection and fuel cooperation, but it also makes feelings and behaviors contagious, giving each of us more influence over others than we realize."

Humans instinctively synchronize their movements, expressions, and biological rhythms when they interact, producing interpersonal synchrony. People subconsciously mimic gestures, postures, facial expressions, heart rates, blood pressure, brain waves, pupil dilation, and hormonal activity. This alignment channels others' thoughts and feelings, creating shared emotions, empathy, and a sense of being of like minds. Brain-wave synchronization during conversations or shared experiences aligns beliefs and attitudes, making moods and behaviors contagious. Interpersonal synchrony deepens connection, fosters trust and cooperation, and amplifies individual influence within social groups. The phenomenon operates largely outside conscious awareness yet profoundly shapes attraction, belonging, and social coordination.

Read at Fast Company