Singing promotes cooperation in a diverse group of children.

Singing promotes cooperation in a diverse group of children.

Good, Arla; Russo, Frank A.

Social Psychology, Vol 47(6), 2016, 340-344. http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000282

Abstract

Previous research involving preschool children and adults suggests that moving in synchrony with others can foster cooperation. Song provides a rich oscillatory framework that supports synchronous movement and may thus be considered a powerful agent of positive social relations. In the current study, we assessed this hypothesis in a group of primary-school aged children with diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Children participated in one of three activity conditions: group singing, group art, or competitive games. They were then asked to play a prisoner’s dilemma game as a measure of cooperation. Results showed that children who engaged in group singing were more cooperative than children who engaged in group art or competitive games. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)