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each other ’ s ’ eyes . They cheer , clap or put their hands in the air together at the same points , sharing an understanding of the best moments . They also talk to each other , even if they have never met each other before . In such an event , interaction with strangers becomes easier and more enjoyable than in everyday life .
We found all these elements and more in our study of a huge free music event on Brighton beach that took place in 2002 . The sheer size and scale of the event , and the uniqueness of it , added to the sense of occasion . Some described it as the best event of their lives . It was a somewhat chaotic event , though , and some people had negative experiences . The people that had positive experiences , and enjoyed simply being with others , were the ones who identified with the rest of the crowd . As part of my work with event industry professionals on using psychology to enhance crowd safety , I ’ ve also shown how the same principles , as described above , can be used to enhance atmosphere and so add value to your event .
Recent research on live events suggests that there are three key elements to the positive emotional experience that comes from being with like-minded others . The first is validation . Seeing others react emotionally the same way as me confirms the validity of my feelings . This is especially important , of course , if those feelings that are not shared or are hidden in everyday life .
Second , is recognition ; being seen as one of the group by other ingroup members feels good .
Third is support . A consistent finding is that people feel supported
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by others at events where they share identity with others . This makes them feel safe and secure .
These positive emotional experiences matter , beyond the event itself . Positive emotions can contribute to wellbeing , in terms of both mental and physical health . Emotions such as joy reduce anxiety which in turn lowers blood pressure levels and enhances immune functioning . Joy also broadens the range of healthy activities we engage in . The collective element of the experience is crucial . When people feel part of the group , they have greater expectations of support , which in turn reduces stress . Feeling part of a group and feeling supported can also enhance the sense of efficacy , or ability to act . Experientially , this means greater self-confidence . The sense of efficacy and of being in control is also associated with wellbeing and has been found to be linked to physical health and heathier lifestyles .
Can the emotional desire for live be substituted online ?
There is a lot of discussion about whether it ’ s possible to have some of the same positive emotional experiences at online events as in-person live ones . From the point of view of psychology , it should be possible to get some of the benefits , under certain conditions . This is because our group memberships exist in our minds as a dimension of self . It is possible to have experiences based on your group membership when sitting alone at a computer , as long as the cues are present to make that group membership salient to you . These cues could be the topic of conversation , the framing of the event ( referring to our group ), and the online presence of others perceived as fellow group members .
One factor we are currently researching is the role of online
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Above : Professor John Drury
“ Only the live event enables physical intimacy – touch , proximity , and sharing ( e . g ., drinks ) – which again we enjoy and seek out when with like-minded others .”
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interaction .
Wellbeing
The chat boxes in Zoom and other platforms used during an online event enable the participant to interact with others in a way that mimics in-person interaction . It can enable validation , recognition , and support , through allowing people to communicate with each other .
However , the in-person live event also offers certain features that the online cannot . The first is the visceral ( bodily ) experience of the event – from sound to odour – that we enjoy when we are with like-minded others . Second , only the live event enables physical intimacy – touch , proximity , and sharing ( e . g ., drinks ) – which again we enjoy and seek out when with like-minded others . Finally , physical co-presence provides a sense of power , and even collective empowerment , that the online event cannot .
Is the mental health of the nation better for the economy ?
There is extensive evidence showing that emotions and groups are good for our mental and physical health .
Attending live events not only brings us joy but is good for wellbeing . This is not just a matter of lifting people ’ s spirits . The economic costs of mental ill health in England have been estimated at £ 105bn a year . Through bringing joy , live events make a vital contribution to both our emotional and our economic wellbeing .
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