Skip to main content

Two hearts beat as one: Pulse rates of two people listening to the same story at the same time synchronize - even if they are alone

Researchers have discovered that when two people are listening to the same story -- whether it be the reading of a book or watching a Netflix series -- their hearts beat to the same rhythm.

The discovery comes from a September paper in Cell Report called 'Conscious processing of narrative stimuli synchronizes heart rate between individuals.' 

It claims that even if you're not in the same room with someone, if you're hearing the same story at the same time as another person, your hearts beat in sync.

Lucas Parra, a professor of biomedical engineering at City College of New York and a senior author of the study, said that people's hearts connect through similar stories.  

'The fluctuations of our heart rates are not random,' said Parra. 'It's the story that drives the heart. There's an explicit link between people's heart rates and a narrative.' 

Researcher Lucas Parra and his team have discovered that when two people are listening to the same story -- whether it be the reading of a book or watching a Netflix series -- their hearts beat to the same rhythm

Researcher Lucas Parra and his team have discovered that when two people are listening to the same story -- whether it be the reading of a book or watching a Netflix series -- their hearts beat to the same rhythm

The discovery comes from a September paper in Cell Report called 'Conscious processing of narrative stimuli synchronizes heart rate between individuals'

The discovery comes from a September paper in Cell Report called 'Conscious processing of narrative stimuli synchronizes heart rate between individuals'

The report, which used EKG machines, claims that even if you're not in the same room with someone, if you're hearing the same story at the same time as another person, your hearts beat in sync

The report, which used EKG machines, claims that even if you're not in the same room with someone, if you're hearing the same story at the same time as another person, your hearts beat in sync

Researchers have discovered in the past that people's brains can sync up when they interact in the same place, do the same activities or just agree with one another. 

City College conducted four small studies of between 20 to 30 people. In each, their heart rates were monitored by EKG machines while they were asked to see or hear various stories, everything from informational programming to an audiobook of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  

The rises and falls of people's heart rates happen together when listening to these narratives, they found.  

Parra's team also found that heart rates that sync'd together would retain the information they'd received better.

'Our explanation is that the story drives one's attention,' he said.

The conclusion from Parra's team, which he found 'heartwarming,' was that whether you're listening to a lecture or watching your favorite show with someone, you're together, down to the beat of your heart.   

'The novel finding is that heart rate correlation between subjects does not require them to actually be interacting, or even be in the same place,' he added. 'They can be listening to stories all alone at home, and their heart rate fluctuations will align with the story, and thus correlate with other listeners. It's not the interaction between people but the story itself that does the trick.' 

Participants were asked to see or hear various stories, everything from informational programming to an audiobook of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Participants were asked to see or hear various stories, everything from informational programming to an audiobook of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Parra, a City College of New York professor, and his team also found that heart rates that sync'd together would retain the information they'd received better

Parra, a City College of New York professor, and his team also found that heart rates that sync'd together would retain the information they'd received better

The conclusion from Parra's team, which he found 'heartwarming,' was that whether you're listening to a lecture or watching your favorite show with someone, you're together, down to the beat of your heart

The conclusion from Parra's team, which he found 'heartwarming,' was that whether you're listening to a lecture or watching your favorite show with someone, you're together, down to the beat of your heart

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hiring the right people starts with having the right recruiting model in place.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a model?  Having the right look is inherited genetically, and is definitely a big factor in having a successful career. However, the other part of modeling and arguably the most important, is knowing how market a product in a way that pleases both clients and photographers. Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Iman, Gigi Hadid. These are the names of just a few famous models that have graced beauty magazine covers and strutted down catwalks. The job description of a model varies by the type of modeling job you are hired for. However, all models must keep an up-to-date portfolio of their work to include photos of themselves via composite cards. This is necessary as potential clients or modeling agencies may sift through portfolios and composite cards before inviting a model to audition. The composite card would also include their body measurements. Some models specialize in showcasing one of their body parts, such as a hand or foot. There are also fit...
Post a Comment
Read more

Policeman who shot dead a knife-wielding Indigenous mother in the street was not a 'trigger-happy' officer, murder trial hears

The murder trial of a policeman who shot dead an Indigenous woman on a suburban West Australian street is set to hear further witness evidence. As many as 60 people could be called to testify in the WA Supreme Court trial of the first-class constable, whose cannot be named for legal reasons. He has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 29-year-old woman, known as JC for cultural reasons, in the Mid West town of Geraldton on September 17, 2019. JC, a mother-of-one, had experienced mental health and drug problems and recently been released from prison before her death. The accused was one of eight police officers who arrived at the scene after JC was spotted with a large knife and a pair of scissors. Family and supporters of a woman, referred to as 'JC' at family's request, leave the District Court of West Australia in Perth As the trial got underway on Tuesday, the jury was shown confronting CCTV footage of JC being shot while surrounded by four police vehicles. Director of Pu...
Post a Comment
Read more

The policies that led to the turmoil in Afghanistan, from Bush to Biden

The US military has been in Afghanistan for 20 years, starting with President George W. Bush in 2001 and ending with Joe Biden with three presidents later. Each president has handled the ongoing struggle differently, but none has succeeded in bringing America's longest war to a peaceful conclusion. As the country falls under Taliban rule, the current retreat has resulted in a bitter battle to expel American citizens and Afghan friends. In mid-August, an Islamic fundamentalist organization took over Kabul, the country's capital. Efforts to drive terrorists out of Afghanistan and arm the country against the new Taliban insurgency have cost the United States nearly $ 830 billion and thousands of lives. Here is the detail of the regional policy of each president: George W. Bush is the President of the United States of America. Shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Centers in New York City, President George W. Bush sent US troops to Afg...
Post a Comment
Read more