Gaby
A study by researchers at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris suggests that watching a movie together is one of the best ways to get to know someone.
The École Normale Supérieure is a prestigious multidisciplinary institution in Paris, founded in 1794.
The researchers found that sharing tears during a sad film or laughing together during a comedy can strengthen the bond with someone you feel a connection to.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
The team showed the same selection of video clips to 61 pairs of strangers. During the screenings, psychologists measured viewers’ physiological and emotional responses and focused on how participants interacted with one another.
The analysis revealed that people felt more connected when they could see each other during the film and when they experienced strong emotions at the same time. The Daily Mail reported that it didn’t matter whether those emotions were positive or negative.
The study showed that intense emotions can help strengthen relationships. Sharing emotions with others is common. The researchers wrote, “shared attention and emotional intensity are the foundation of social connections between strangers.”
The results of the study were published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
What Do Other Researchers Say About This?
A YouGov survey of 1,686 British adults found that 86 percent of people consider going to the movies acceptable on a first date, while 7 percent called it “mostly or completely unacceptable.”
The researchers also found that couples in long-term relationships can rekindle their initial spark by reminiscing about their first date, especially if it involved a trip to the cinema. Romantic nostalgia for that event can rejuvenate a relationship and create a more optimistic outlook on the future. Memories of how the couple first met, shared their first kiss, or went on vacation can help counter everyday problems and disappointments, especially arguments over household chores.
