Abstract
This study describes a preliminary test of the hypothesis that, when people engage in musical and linguistic activities designed to enhance the interactive, turn-taking properties of typical conversation, they benefit in ways that enhance empathy and self-esteem, relative to people who experience activities that are similar except that synchronous action is emphasized, with no interactional turn-taking. Twenty-two 12–14 year olds identified as socially vulnerable (e.g., for anxiety) received six enjoyable 1-h sessions of musical improvisation, language games that developed sensitivity to linguistic rhythm and melody, and cross-over activities like rap. The Turn-taking group (n = 11), practiced characteristics of conversation in language games, and these were also introduced into musical activities. This involved much turn-taking and predicting what others would do. A matched control group, the Synchrony group, did similar activities but in synchrony, with less prediction and no turn-taking. Task complexity increased over the six sessions. Psychometric testing before and after the series showed that the Turn-taking group increased in empathy on self-report (Toronto Empathy Questionnaire) and behavioral (‘Reading the Mind in the Eyes’) measures, and in the General subtest of the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory. While more work is needed to confirm the conclusions for relevant demographic groups, the current results point to the social value of musical and linguistic activities that mimic entrained, tightly coordinated parameters of everyday conversational interaction, in which, at any one time, individuals act as equal participants who have different roles.
Highlights
IntroductionThere is good evidence that any sort of shared rhythmicity (e.g., joint music-making, handclapping games, football chants) enhances self-esteem and a sense of group identity, see e.g., Miles et al (2009) and references therein
There is good evidence that any sort of shared rhythmicity enhances self-esteem and a sense of group identity, see e.g., Miles et al (2009) and references therein
Analyses The main issue of interest is whether the Turn-taking group changed positively more than the Synchrony group
Summary
There is good evidence that any sort of shared rhythmicity (e.g., joint music-making, handclapping games, football chants) enhances self-esteem and a sense of group identity, see e.g., Miles et al (2009) and references therein. These joint actions usually make people feel happier, experience other people as happier and friendlier, and encourage them to behave in a more prosocial or empathetic way, independent of language communication skills. While non-rhythmic aspects of conversation (e.g., its content) presumably provide rewards, the high degree of coordinated behaviors, including gesture, exhibited between interacting talkers suggests that rhythmic entrainment between interlocutors is likely to arise, if only at times. How and where do shared pulse and entrainment typically develop in conversation?
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
