Kimberly Quinn

Kimberly Quinn

The Department of Psychology and the Industrial/Organizational-Social Colloquium Series will present a talk, titled “Toward a Theoretical Model of the Synchrony–Rapport Relationship,” with Kimberly A. Quinn, Ph.D., at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, in 48 DeGarmo Hall.

Quinn is an associate chair of psychology and associate professor of psychological science at DePaul University.

Abstract

“Behavioral synchrony” occurs when two or more people move together in time and space. The importance of behavioral synchrony lies in its ability to support the formation and maintenance of social bonds: Being “in synch” with others boosts interpersonal rapport, connectedness, trust and cooperation; being out of synch with others thwarts these outcomes.

To date, most research on synchrony has been directed toward documenting its outcomes (e.g., liking, perceived similarity, cooperative success). In this talk, I will present a theoretical model of when and why synchrony promotes these outcomes, arguing that behavioral synchrony imbues even neutral targets (concepts, people) with positivity; facilitates attention, perception, and memory; and changes individuals’ representations of themselves and others to be more similar and more closely linked in memory. Evidence will be provided in support of the perceptual/motor fluency and evaluative conditioning mechanisms.

This speaker series is funded by the Department of Psychology. To support the Department of Psychology and help enhance its educational mission with advanced teaching methods, guest speakers, and more opportunities for students to learn through research experiences, please consider making a gift to the department through the Illinois State University Foundation.

If you need a special accommodation to participate in this program, call the Department of Psychology at (309) 439-8651. Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.