Bronwyn Tarr, Jacques Launay and Robin I. M. Dunbar (2014)
Abstract
It has been suggested that a key function of music during its development and spread
amongst human populations was its capacity to create and strengthen social bonds
amongst interacting group members. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs
have not been fully discussed. In this paper we review evidence supporting two thus far
independently investigated mechanisms for this social bonding effect: self-other merging
as a consequence of inter-personal synchrony, and the release of endorphins during
exertive rhythmic activities including musical interaction. In general, self-other merging
has been experimentally investigated using dyads, which provide limited insight into largescale
musical activities. Given that music can provide an external rhythmic framework
that facilitates synchrony, explanations of social bonding during group musical activities
should include reference to endorphins, which are released during synchronized exertive
movements. Endorphins (and the endogenous opioid system (EOS) in general) are involved
in social bonding across primate species, and are associated with a number of human
social behaviors (e.g., laughter, synchronized sports), as well as musical activities (e.g.,
singing and dancing). Furthermore, passively listening to music engages the EOS, so
here we suggest that both self-other merging and the EOS are important in the social
bonding effects of music. In order to investigate possible interactions between these two
mechanisms, future experiments should recreate ecologically valid examples of musical
activities.
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