| Posted on: | Category: Hearing
Scientists at the LIVElab at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, wanted to find out what musical ingredients make us want to dance. They found that people danced 12% more when a low-frequency bass was played.
We look at things like what kinds of rhythms most pull people into that steady beat that we groove along with, and what kinds of interesting, syncopated, complex rhythms make us really drawn in and want to move more," said Daniel Cameron, a neuroscientist and lead author of the study.
The context
- The LIVElab facility was turned into an electronic dance music concert. The set lasted an hour.
- The volunteer dancers wore headbands with motion sensors.
- Speakers were used that could play a very low-frequency bass, undetectable to human ears. The low-frequency bass was played every 2.5 minutes
The result
The dancer-volunteers moved more when the speakers were on, even though they couldn't hear them.
Zoom in
- The vestibular system can help explain the result. Inner-ear structures are sensitive to very low-frequency stimulation.
- The sense of touch is also responsive to low-frequency sound.
- Signals from the inner ear and touch stimulate the brain's motor cortex. As a result, we move more.
Zoom out
- Moving together leads to social bonding. We feel better about the people we're with and more connected.
- Music and movement help regulate emotions, especially when caring for babies.
