Whether it’s a roaring crowd in a football stadium, a concert audience dancing in unison, or villagers walking across burning coals during an ancient ritual, humans across the world experience a powerful sensation when they come together: a feeling of intense unity and shared emotion. Researchers call this phenomenon “collective effervescence” — or, more recently, “we mode.”
Every June in San Pedro Manrique, Spain, residents walk barefoot across a strip of burning coals as thousands of spectators chant and cheer. Though participants and onlookers have different roles, both groups report the same breathtaking sensation — an overwhelming sense that the entire crowd has merged into one. Cognitive anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas, who studied the ritual, says the moment creates a deep feeling of togetherness.
He adds that similar emotions arise in modern settings, such as sports stadiums. “You can feel it when you’re chanting with 30,000 fans — it’s as if the group becomes a single organism,” Xygalatas said. His book Rituals: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living explores how humans gain purpose and joy through collective experiences.
An Ancient Idea With Modern Science
The concept of collective emotional unity dates back more than a century to French sociologist Émile Durkheim, who described cultural effervescence among Indigenous Australian communities. Today, scientists are measuring the effect using tools such as heart monitors and facial expression analysis.
Xygalatas’ studies reveal that during thrilling shared events, people’s bodies begin to synchronize. For example, the heartbeats of fans inside a stadium watching a live match sync with one another — while people watching the same game on television do not show the same effect. Those in the stadium also experience higher levels of endorphins, which are known to strengthen emotional bonding.
The Science of “Collective Joy”
Health psychologist Kelly McGonigal of Stanford University says that shared emotional expression — smiling, cheering, dancing or simply breathing together — spreads happiness like a chain reaction.
“When you are connected through shared positive emotion, it’s like aerosolized joy,” McGonigal explained. “You catch other people’s laughter, their excitement, their physical energy. It becomes contagious.”
This is why people often feel a boost of well-being during group fitness sessions, religious celebrations, concerts, or even waving together in a crowd.
A Fundamental Human Need
Experts say the human brain is wired for synchrony and belonging. Coordinated movement — whether marching, dancing, singing or chanting — makes people feel safe, supported and connected.
“If we all dress alike and we move alike and we feel alike, our brains respond,” Xygalatas said. “There’s a fundamental need for synchrony.”
Researchers believe that actively seeking opportunities for collective joy — cheering with crowds, joining group activities, attending festivals, or simply singing together — can improve mental and emotional well-being.
