The Dance Psychology Lab is based in the School of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire.

Research & Post-Graduate Study

The aim of the Dance Psychology Lab is to carry out psychology-based research in dance and dancers, to provide specialised consultancy, to engage the public in the psychology of dance and to explore, creatively, the relationship between dance as art and psychology as science.

A team of researchers carry out experimental work based around four topic areas:

Health & Dance

We are interested in the role played by recreational dance in improving health and well-being in different populations. For example, in people with Parkinson’s disease, people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and in people at risk of cardio-vascular disease.

Thinking & Dance

We are interested in the link between dance and problem solving. We have observed that dancing in different ways either facilitates or inhibits certain types of problem solving, which may have an impact on the way people learn a wide range of material.

Hormones & Dance

We are interested in the link between people’s hormonal and genetic make up and they way they move in social situations. Dance is thought to play a role in the mate-selection process and we are keen to understand this from a scientific perspective.

Self-Esteem & Dance Confidence

We have collected a large amount of data on self-esteem and dance confidence. We are interested to understand how the self-esteem of vocational dancers differs to that of non-dancers and how dance-related self-esteem, or Dance Confidence, changes across the lifespan.

MSc or PhD by Research

At the Dance Psychology Lab we are able to offer supervision to post-graduate students working towards MSc and PhD degrees by research.

Candidates should normally have a first degree in psychology (2:1 or above) or appropriate experience in dance, gained either through performing, choreographing, teaching or formal academic study.

In the Dance Psychology Lab we take a multi-disciplinary approach to studying the psychology of dance and dancers, but our main form of enquiry is the use of experimental methods.

Candidates without formal training in experimental research methods may be advised to attend appropriate courses as part of their studies.

Research students, whether MSc or PhD, can choose between full time and part time study.

Our Resources

By addressing these topic areas we are able to address questions like:

How does dance influence our thought processes?

Why do we become better at solving some puzzles more than others when we dance?

How do we express emotions and feelings through dance?

What do people "see" when they watch dance?

Do people with autism view dance differently to people without autism?

How do we communicate through dance?

What is the relationship between our hormonal and genetic make up and the way we dance?

What are the health benefits of engaging in recreational dance?

Why do people dance?

Why don't people dance?

The Dance Psychology Lab is well resourced and therefore able to carry out a wide range of experimental work in Dance Psychology.  Our resources include:

Hardware and Software

Portable Eye Tracking system

BioPack (to measure BP, Pulse, Pulse Oxymetry, EEG, GSR plus event Marker etc.)

Motion capture and 3D animation software

Observer video evaluation system

Final Cut Pro (& Server)

Test Banks

Extensive collection of psychometric and cognitive tests (self esteem, general heath, personality, mood, thinking and problem solving)

Physical Labs

Observation lab with two way mirror and full video monitoring

Human Performance & Physiology Lab

Human Communication Lab

Online Data collection

We have licenses for both SurveyMonkey and Bristol Online Survey, which allow us to carry out large-scale online surveys.

Data Analysis

We have the resources to carry out both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, using software such as Nvivo, LIWC and  SPSS.

If you would like to work with us in the Dance Lab, whether for a few days or a few months, please contact Dr Peter Lovatt by email on P.J.Lovatt@herts.ac.uk.