![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Social-emotional contagion in the classroom is a demonstrated phenomenon, one that I’ve explored in my work and been fascinated by for years. The rest of us followed suit.Įnergy and passion are infectious. The instructor deflated back to her usual mediocrity. The gym owner completed her circuit and left. We all began engaging more fully in the workout, our sneakered feet slamming a concerted rhythm onto the shiny floor. You could see the ripple effects spread through the class. Instantly I felt my body respond to her greater enthusiasm. Her voice ratcheted up a few octaves and her movements became more fluid and pronounced. Suddenly the instructor transformed, apparently motivated by the presence of her boss. This particular day was no less disappointing than the others - until, halfway through, the owner of the gym entered the room to give some potential clients a tour of the facility. Every time I took the class, I would think longingly of a previous instructor who would holler over the thumping music, collectively whipping us all into a state of sweaty exhilarated exhaustion. She never seemed to want to be there, and the music was underwhelming. The instructor always messed up half the steps. I was taking a terrible step aerobics class. The most definitive moment of social-emotional contagion that I have experienced in a classroom was not on a college campus, but at my local gym. ![]()
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