Lecture 2: A Scientific Perspective
Title: A Scientific Perspective
Part of lecture series: An Introduction to Dance Psychology
Presented by: Dr Peter Lovatt
Date Recorded: 16th January 2025
Format: Video recording
Duration: 33 minutes, 12 seconds.
Supplementary Materials: None
Fee: £5 (plus local tax) for 72 hours access
Overview
As Dance Psychology is the study of dance and dancers from a scientific and psychological perspective, it is important to have an understanding of the research methods that underpin the discipline. In this lecture we look at Dance Psychology from a scientific, research-based, perspective. You will be introduced to six key steps in the scientific method: Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Experimentation, Analysis and Reporting. Each of these steps is discussed within a Dance Psychology perspective.
Most research on dance and wellbeing focuses on mood. Does dancing make us feel happier, reduce anxiety, or improve emotional wellbeing? In this exploratory study, we asked a different question: does dancing help people flourish?
Using the Flourishing Scale developed by Diener and colleagues, we examined the relationship between dance frequency and psychological flourishing in a sample of 262 participants. The findings revealed a clear positive association: people who danced more frequently reported higher levels of flourishing. Most intriguingly, the strongest relationships were with purpose and meaning in life, supportive relationships, competence, and engagement, rather than happiness or social status.
At Doctor Dance, we believe that dance has the power to transform lives. But, if you’re reading this, perhaps you’re someone who wishes you could dance yet feels held back by certain obstacles. You’re not alone! Many people feel drawn to dance but hesitate due to various psychological, circumstantial, or social barriers. Let’s explore these common barriers and, more importantly, how you can overcome them. Whether you’re yearning to unleash your inner dancer or simply curious about the therapeutic power of dance, this post is for you.
Dance Psychology is the study of dance and dancers from a scientific and psychological perspective. In this lecture I define the scope of Dance Psychology. You will be introduced to four areas of Psychology from a dance perspective – these are social psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology and biological psychology. I then look at different styles and methods of dance and consider these from a psychological perspective. I end with an overview of the other topics covered in this webinar series.
In this lecture, you will explore the fascinating interplay between nature and nurture in the development of dance and rhythmic behavior. You’ll learn about the innate abilities of babies to detect rhythm, move in response to music, and learn through body movement, supported by key research studies. We’ll examine how movement shapes musical preferences, the role of prenatal and early-life experiences, and the social and neurological foundations of dance. By the end, you’ll gain insights into whether humans are born to dance, how nurture influences this capacity, and how dance connects us socially and culturally from infancy onward.
At Doctor Dance, we believe that everyone deserves to experience the joy and freedom of dance. By taking big steps to make dance visible, accessible, and inclusive, we can help more people discover their inner dancer. Whether through online classes, community events, or simply creating safe spaces to explore movement, there are countless ways to foster a world where dance is truly for everyone.
When we say a dance intervention is “evidence-based,” it should mean that we’ve taken a careful, scientific look at how and why it works. This isn’t just about claiming that dance is good for you; it’s about demonstrating that specific approaches to dance lead to specific, measurable potential outcomes.
Whether it’s for cancer recovery, Parkinson’s disease, mental health, or general wellbeing, evidence is what separates well-meaning ideas from interventions that truly make a difference.
Yet, it seems that the label “evidence-based” is sometimes used loosely, and that’s a problem for those who trust these interventions.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of presenting a keynote speech at The Fourth National Summit on Promoting Well-being and Resilience in Healthcare Professionals, organized by The Ohio State University. This summit addressed a critical issue: supporting the well-being of healthcare professionals, whose roles often come with unique pressures and high levels of responsibility. Healthcare professionals work tirelessly to care for others, but in doing so, they face significant mental, emotional, and physical challenges that can lead to burnout and reduced job satisfaction. In my keynote, I discussed the remarkable effects of recreational dance on promoting well-being and resilience—a concept that has been central to my research and practice as Doctor Dance.
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This insight outlines three recent papers in the area: Bojner Horwitz et al. (2022), McCrary et al. (2021) and Pezdek et al. (2022).
Have you ever wondered why some dancers seem to burn with unstoppable passion, while others — even those with huge talent — lose heart and fade away? It’s not just about talent. It’s not just about hard work. It’s about motivation — and understanding it deeply can change everything.
Whether you’re a dancer in training, a professional dancer, or a dance teacher, motivation is the invisible force that drives every plié, every pirouette, every leap of faith on and off the stage. But here’s the secret: motivation isn’t something you’re just born with — it’s something you can build, strengthen, and protect.
When you hear the term “pension pot,” you probably think about saving money for retirement, ensuring financial stability in later life. But what if we applied the same concept to our health and wellbeing?
Imagine a “wellbeing pension pot”—something we invest in across our lives to increase the likelihood of living a healthier, more fulfilling life as we age. Just as with financial investments, the earlier you start contributing, the greater the potential rewards.
Dance, as part of a lifelong preventative health lifestyle, can play a powerful role in building up this wellbeing pension pot. Not only does dance offer immediate physical and mental health benefits, but the consistent, long-term practice of dance can contribute to increased resilience, reduced risk of chronic disease, and a higher quality of life in later years. Let’s explore how dance can be one of the most enjoyable and impactful ways to invest in your health and wellbeing for the long haul.
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In this blog I describe a research paper by Haputhanthirige et al. which addresses the question of whether taking part in a series of dance sessions can improve the way that people with Parkinson’s walk
Imagine this: The music starts, the lights rise, and the stage is yours. Your heart pounds against your ribs, your mouth is dry, and your mind — once so full of focus and fluid movement — suddenly goes blank. Your legs, usually so reliable, feel shaky and weak. You know the choreography. You’ve rehearsed for months. But at this very moment, it’s as if your own body has turned against you.
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According to scientists, prolonged sitting at work can lead to adverse health outcomes – it can lead to physical discomfort in your neck, shoulders and lower back.
It’s another Bank Holiday here in the UK, and that means something important didn’t happen this week… we didn’t have our weekly Doctor Dance community class. And I’ve got to admit – I’ve been feeling a bit blurgh.
That got me thinking: What actually happens to us when we miss a dance class?
When dance and movement programmes for Parkinson’s first began emerging, not everyone in medicine was convinced. This video explores how scientific evidence, rather than enthusiasm alone, shapes attitudes toward dance and Parkinson’s disease.
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The Happy Dance always makes me smile – I’ve been dancing it since 2010 and it feels like a part of my personality now. I’ve danced it to all kinds of pop songs, from Imma Be by the Black Eyed Pees to Can’t Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake. Try combining The Happy Dance with Dance Number 001 Stayin Alive and dancing them both to We No Speak Americano by Yolanda Be Cool.
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When I introduced ballet into the StackAdapt event, my hope was that some of the audience might reflect and change the way they think.
“If I can change the way I think about ballet (from something that “other” people do either in a studio or on stage while wearing tights or a tutu, to something that I can do in five minutes in business attire) perhaps I can also change the way I think about XYZ”.
Can’t stand your colleague? You’re not alone. But did you know dancing together can increase trust and collaboration? Try this fun quiz from Doctor Dance and discover how movement transforms working relationships.
The Glide and Slide is a great dance for a small space – it’s got marching, stretching and sudden changes of direction to keep your mind busy. Dance it slow to Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars or fast to You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester – and don’t forget to groove between repetitions.
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This dance is easy, fun and lively, and all about CHEERfulness. My favourite song for the Cheer dance is We Are Family by Sister Sledge – because the song is all about optiminism and togetherness. No Pom-Poms required.
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On The Floor can be danced slow with a jazzy vibe or faster with an upbeat disco/club feel. For the slow jazzy vibe try dancing it to Roof Garden by Al Jarreau and for the disco/club feel give it’s namesake, On The Floor by J Lo with Pitbull a whirl. And don’t forget to groove between repetitions of the choreography.
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The Leo is named after the seventies pop superstar Leo Sayer – You can dance The Leo as a slow version to You Make Me Feel Like Dancing by Leo Sayer and once you’ve got the movements in your body you can try dancing it at a faster pace to Leo Sayer’s Thunder in My Heart.
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This is a classic boogie inspired by John Travolta and the Saturday Night Fever era. Try dancing it to Stayin Alive by the Bee Gees and don’t forget to incorporate a little freestyle groove between each repetition of the choreography.
The Cromer Crab dance was inspired by the famous crabs and lobsters that live in the sea close to my hometown of Cromer in North Norfolk. The Cromer Crab can be danced to such a wide range of music – I’ve danced it to slow tempo pop music, such as Roar by Katy Perry, to fast tempo pop, such as Animal by Mabel and if you want to invoke a more traditional vibe try dancing it to music for Scottish Reels, such as Duke of Perth by Jim MacLeod & His Band.
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Mr Pinstripe has a carefree 1920’s feel and it’s best danced with a smile on your face. Try dancing along to Mr Pinstripe by DJ Maksy.
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We all know that a quick boogie gives us a short-term high and makes us feel good.
However, to get a longer term boost to our cognitive performance we need to dance for longer, much longer.
A recent research study (Aguiñaga et al., 2022) looking at the relationship between Latin dance and working memory suggests we need to keep dancing for several months.
The Charleston is a fun social dance from the 1920’s. It’s easy, carefree and joyful and it provides a wonderful basis for embellishing or improvising on the steps – make the kicks high or low, move those knees and arms as freely or constrained as you like and fill your heart with joy as you straighten up and turn for the last eight counts. Try dancing it out to Bang Bang by Will.I.Am and imagine you’re a glittering character in The Great Gatsby.
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I love this dance, and I hope you will too. Dance it to Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder, and you absolutely MUST freestyle boogie between each repetition of the choreography. Enjoy!
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The Doctor Dance Line dances are simple and fun and are fantastic for stimulating memory and spatial awareness. Try dancing this to Achy Breaky Heart by the Delta Line Dance Band or Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo by Tracy Byrd.
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This is a calm, slow dance inspired by a ballet class adagio. You can do this dance in complete silence, moving on your breath, and the piano music in the video above works beautifully too.
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Imagine this: it’s 8:36am on a Tuesday. A thousand people are walking to work across Westminster Bridge. Each person is in their own world – eyes down, headphones in, thoughts scattered between deadlines, to-do lists, and missed breakfasts. Then, without warning, something strange and wonderful happens.
the whole dance danced with music Break the dance down – one dose at a time Click on a dose below to see a short……...
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The Willowy Wander is a dance filled with imagery – I see the first section as petals opening on a flower, the second section as the tension between stretching for the future while being anchored in the past, the third section is about flicking away tears, the fourth is about being lost while wandering and the final section is about loving with all your heart. I choreographed the dance while listening to Lost by Michael Buble.
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The Doctor Dance Line dances are simple and fun and are fantastic for stimulating memory and spatial awareness. Try dancing this to Cotton Eyed Joe by Rednex or I’m From The Country by Tracy Byrd.
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This dance is about the contrast between holding and melting movements – about taking a pose, freezing, and letting it melt away. I love dancing it to Out Here on My Own by Irene Cara, from the soundtrack to FAME!
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the whole dance danced with music Break the dance down – one dose at a time Click on a dose below to see a short…
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Freestyle Groove has always been my go-to dance style - it was the first movement language I ever spoke, my mother-groove. The joy of letting the groove move your body is one of the best feelings in the world. Here's a selection of mini freestyle grooves to show you that anything goes.
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The purpose of this quiz is to help you think about your own motivation for dancing. It is based on Hancox et al. (2015).
Instructions
There are 24 statements in the Dance Motivation Quiz. Your task is to rate how true each statement is for you right now.
The Flourishing Quiz is based on: Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Tov, W., Kim-Prieto, C., Choi, D-w., Oishi, S. & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). New Well-Being Measures:…
Welcome to the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). You will see a list of twenty words which describe how people feel. For each word, please indicate the extent you have felt this way over the past week. You will see your Positive Affect Score and your Negative Affect Score. This quiz is based on Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988).
This quiz is about your Dance-related Anxiety.
The quiz includes 7 statements about how you have been feeling in the last two weeks in relation to your dance world.
For each question, think about how it applies to you as a dancer (e.g. in dance class, rehearsal, competitions, exams, auditions, performances etc.).
The Inclusion of Other in the Self (IOS) scale measures how close you feel to another person, group, society or organisation.
The construct of perceived Self-efficacy reflects an optimistic self-belief (Schwarzer, 1992). This is the belief that one can perform a novel or difficult tasks, or cope with adversity — in various domains of human functioning. Perceived self-efficacy facilitates goal-setting, effort investment, persistence in face of barriers and recovery from setbacks. It can be regarded as a positive resistance resource factor. Ten items are designed to tap this construct. Each item refers to successful coping and implies an internal-stable attribution of success.
Social Connection is the experience of feeling close and connected to others. Social connectedness can be defined as the experience of belonging to a social relationship or network.
Emotional Intelligence is the capacity to be aware of, control, and express your emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. Take the Quiz.
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