A new study purports that strong emotions are very contagious.  The research shows that if all members in a group share the same emotional state, then their brains will follow suit.  Not only will our emotions link up, so will our brain activity.

The study conducted by researchers from Aalto University and Turku PET Centre delineates that experiencing strong emotions synchronizes brain activity across individuals.  This reported by Medical News Today.

The article goes on to note that the research shows that observers who share other people’s emotional states become a part of a somatoensory and neural framework.  This enables them to understand other people’s intentions and actions, allowing them to “Tune In”  with them.

Professor Lauri Nemmenmaa from Aalto University says this synchronization enables social interaction and group processes.

That raises the question, how long is necessary to constitute a group setting that connects our brain waves and emotions?

A related article by PHYS.ORG comments on how the above idea might function in the real world.  It focuses on the training teachers receive in helping young children deal with their emotions such as frustration, anger and excitement.

 ”Everyday moments are golden opportunities for children to learn how to manage their emotions. Too often, teachers want to make negative emotions go away. Instead we need to use them as learning opportunities,” says Rebecca Swartz, a doctoral candidate and the study’s first author.

Student teachers who reported more effective strategies for regulating their own emotions and who also reported more accepting beliefs about children’s emotions were more supportive of children when they had emotional outbursts.

Swartz hopes that teachers will learn emotional regulation strategies as part of their professional development so they can model them for children and manage challenging emotional moments in the classroom.

“It might be effective to bring in a mentor who could coach, consult, and reflect with teachers as occasions arise,” she said.

 What are your opinions on the linkage of our emotions and brains in group settings? 

Where were you yesterday at 3:45pm? Don’t lie we have your finger prints. Why did you commit this crime?

Does this line of questioning sound intimidating?  The Daily Beast has some enlightening news. 

Research was conducted at John Jay College of Criminal Justice through the FBI’s High Value Detainee Interrogation Group. A team of leading researchers formed to find out better methods for getting high-level suspects to reveal what they know.  They have uncovered some interesting insights.

Ali Soufan, a former FBI Agent stated, “24 [a popular TV show] works in Hollywood.  Reality is not that sexy.  You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

Being an effective communicator, in addition to understanding and recognizing  the emotional states of other people is extremely beneficial in building rapport, which is necessary to elicit truthful information.  Scientific peer reviewed research has shown that knowing how to detect, label and react appropriately to certain emotions builds rapport.

“Torture does not work, it is illegal, and the professional intelligence, military, and law-enforcement officers who know what they are talking about, and who have firsthand experience, have been explicit that enhanced interrogation techniques undermine operational success,” says Glenn Carle, a former CIA officer.

So what are the best ways to elicit truthful information?

According to the article and many interrogators it involves understanding a subject’s culture and motivation and then gaining his or her trust—without revealing what you’re after.

Recent research backs up the idea the torture techniques are not truly effective by indicating that stress-inducing measures actually impairs memory.  Research has also proven that non-coercive interview techniques based on rapport building are the most effective in eliciting truthful information.

Dr. David Matsumoto’s new book Nonverbal Communication:  Science and Applications blends cutting-edge behavioral science with real-world practical experience, making this text the first of its kind to merge theoretical and practical worlds of nonverbal communication.

 What are your thoughts on controversial questioning techniques?