Why We Click

Why do you immediately click with some people while others just as inexplicably turn you off? Do people emit vibes? Is it possible to read a room? Are bad habits contagious?

Internationally bestselling author Kate Murphy answers these and other fascinating questions in Why We Click, the first book that explores the emerging science and impact of interpersonal synchrony, the most consequential social dynamic most people have never heard of. Interpersonal synchrony is the seemingly magical, yet scientifically documented, tendency of humans to fall into rhythm and find resonance with one another.

Not only do we subconsciously match one another’s movements, postures and gestures, recent breakthroughs in technology have revealed we also sync up our heart rates, blood pressure, pupil dilation, brainwaves and hormonal activity. The result is that emotions, moods, and behaviours can be as infectious as any disease, profoundly impacting our health and wellbeing.

This enthralling book shows how you can get better at detecting and encouraging this phenomenon when beneficial, and desynchronizing when it is not. Interpersonal synchrony can be a superpower, but not knowing its powerful effects comes with dangers. If you’ve ever asked yourself ‘Why did I do that?’ or ‘What was I thinking?’, you were likely syncing with someone else.