Chapter 5, Rhythm and Body Movement Summary and Analysis

The concept of "syncing" or "being in sync" is the unconscious, synchronous movement of people together in a harmonious manner and is a form of communication. The field of study of kinesics and its significance is rapidly expanding and becoming more complex.

Studies of film taken of people interacting in a variety of settings show that even barely perceptible motion such as eyelid motion, head movement, and the like occur simultaneously. Analysis shows that synchronicity occurs and is often correlated to the verbal code (pitch, stress) that is part of the interaction, and tests show that the content of the verbal interchange does not affect the synchrony that, however, will cease if the number of people in the group is altered.

Human interaction does not simply consist of individuals sending discrete, verbal signals...