Walking down a busy street or sitting somewhere, you are thinking of something. You might be not alone thinking. Someone may be in your proximity thinking too, about the same thing as you are thinking or even quietly having a different thought about it.
Synchronized imagination in very fascinating work of the brain. It is when our brains work together to create and synchronize thoughts, much like a well-coordinated team.
A recent study shows that when people come together or share an experience, their brain waves synchronize. Synchronized imagination influences representations of the future and fosters social connection in the present. Since humans are mental time-travelers, are capable of imagining novel hypothetical experiences in order to help them envision, plan for, and motivate desired future goals.
The tendency of imagination may vary from person to person. And it may be the same in some people when they share the same moments and time. But, their imaginations make them perceive events and moments differently.
Since the minds of social species are strikingly resonant, nature acts as a mirror wall where our imaginations are cast on and are reflected back to our minds. We experience synchronized imagination as we act out of the vastness of the myriad of things, moments and times.
Things happen at the same time in reflection to the past, future and present moments of life. Daily undertakings of life are a true story that captures the moments of imagination and reflections among people.
It's even very interesting that the brain acts as the center for all sorts of synchronized activities, from arts and sports to cognition. In neuroscience, synchronized activity in the brain is crucial for various cognitive functions. When neurons fire together, they create neural networks that help us think, learn, and imagine. This synchronization allows for complex processes like creativity and problem-solving to occur.
When our brains spark with thinking, it does so to reflect what happens in our surroundings. It is the synchronized imagination that makes social interaction possible. A doctor thinks of the work ahead of time, a patient thinks of meeting the doctor later.
It has been possible to achieve goals through synchronized imagination. Simply thinking within the same moments and times as we experience and expect the same. Interpersonal movement synchrony is important to social behavior in several species.
In humans, people can synchronized their movements such as finger tapping and walking pace and cooperate each other. The synchronized behavior contributes to imagining to achieve the same goals, since it creates a feeling of a sense of affiliation and unity.
On a different note, if you were thinking about synchronized swimming, now known as artistic swimming, it's a sport that beautifully combines athleticism and artistry. Teams perform choreographed routines in the water, showcasing their strength, grace, and synchronization.
We can't stop imagining without synchronizing our thinkings with what's happening in our surroundings or what the other person thinking about and doing, since it's the core essence of social connectivity.
References
Denworth, L. (2024, February 20). Brain Waves Synchronize when People Interact. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/brain-waves-synchronize-when-people-interact/
Koul, A., Ahmar, D., Iannetti, G. D., & Novembre, G. (2023). Interpersonal synchronization of spontaneously generated body movements. iScience, 26(3), 106104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106104
Thank you for reading!