Synchronous Smiles and Hearts: Dyadic Meditations Enhance Closeness and Prosocial Behavior in Virtual and In-Person Settings.
Vera U. Ludwig, Lana Prieur, Scott M Rennie, Andrew Beswerchij, Devora Weintraub, Blaire Berry, Jenny Wey, Katelyn Candido, Michael L Platt
Mindfulness 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02588-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study with two active control conditions Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 153 |
| Population | Participants in virtual and in-person dyadic meditation exercises |
| Interventions | Mutual gazing Solitary meditation |
| Duration | 2-minute exercise |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Loneliness Remote Synchrony Dyadic meditations Contemplative gazing Social connection closeness Prosocial behavior Positive relationships Social well-being Research studies research In-person |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Both Just-Like-Me meditation and mutual gazing increased closeness with medium-to-large effect sizes, with JLM producing stronger effects in person and inducing synchronous smiling and heart rates. |
Abstract
Social connection is crucial for well-being and health. Dyadic meditations-contemplative practices carried out by two people together-have the potential to foster connection. In the dyadic "Just-Like-Me" (JLM) meditation, two participants gaze at each other while contemplating sentences emphasizing their shared humanity. We assessed the psychological impacts of this exercise, as well as the underlying mechanisms, by comparing it to two active control conditions: mutual gazing without contemplation and solitary meditation. Study 1 was a virtual study with 55 individuals who formed 100 experimental dyads, whereas Study 2 was an in-person study with 98 participants in 238 dyad pairings. Participants engaged in a 2-min JLM, gazing, or solitary meditation exercise (the latter only in Study 2). We recorded self-reported feelings, decisions on a hypothetical dictator game, facial expressions (Study 1), and heart rates (Study 2). Both JLM and gazing increased closeness with medium-to-large effect sizes both virtually and in person (~ 1 SD increase for JLM). JLM increased closeness more than gazing in person (medium-sized effect). Both exercises had small-to-medium effects on positive partner perceptions. In-person, dictator game allocations were higher following JLM than following solitary meditation. Both JLM and gazing induced synchronous smiling, with JLM producing stronger effects (Study 1). JLM induced synchronous heart rates (Study 2). Smiling synchrony predicted positive relational outcomes with small-to-medium effect sizes. Dyadic meditations, such as JLM and gazing, are effective in promoting closeness and prosocial behavior. Non-verbal and emotional synchrony between meditation partners is a potential mechanism facilitating these benefits. Dyadic meditation practices may contribute to addressing widespread loneliness and enhancing social dimensions of well-being. This study is not preregistered. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-025-02588-7.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- Specific reduction in cortisol stress reactivity after social but not attention-based mental training Science Advances October 4, 2017
- Training-related improvements in mental well-being through reduction in negative interpretation bias: A randomized trial of online socio-emotional dyadic and mindfulness interventions. Journal of Affective Disorders June 1, 2024
- Better together than alone? Investigating dyadic compassion meditation in an experimental study Journal of Social and Personal Relationships October 30, 2023
and 10 more in the library