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Synchronized Scheduling: Choosing to Experience Different Events in Different Places at the Same Time as Others

Synchronized Scheduling: Choosing to Experience Different Events in Different Places at the Same... This research documents a preference for synchronized scheduling—when people choose to experience different events in different places at the same time as others. We find that people are willing to incur costs—for example, by scheduling negative events sooner or positive events later—to synchronize their schedules. Thus, when unable to share physical space, people can nevertheless share “temporal space” by choosing to schedule separate experiences at the same time. Eight studies (N=3,075) explore this preference, which does not extend to disliked others and persists even when only one person knows. We explain that this is because synchronized scheduling acts as “social glue,” increasing feelings of not only person-to-person social connection but also solidarity, trust, and cohesion within the group. As a result, it counteracts experienced and anticipated physical disconnection. We highlight implications for individuals and organizations seeking to create psychologically connected experiences in an increasingly physically disconnected world. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of the Association for Consumer Research University of Chicago Press

Synchronized Scheduling: Choosing to Experience Different Events in Different Places at the Same Time as Others

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References (60)

Publisher
University of Chicago Press
Copyright
© 2023 Association for Consumer Research. All rights reserved.
ISSN
2378-1815
eISSN
2378-1823
DOI
10.1086/723741
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This research documents a preference for synchronized scheduling—when people choose to experience different events in different places at the same time as others. We find that people are willing to incur costs—for example, by scheduling negative events sooner or positive events later—to synchronize their schedules. Thus, when unable to share physical space, people can nevertheless share “temporal space” by choosing to schedule separate experiences at the same time. Eight studies (N=3,075) explore this preference, which does not extend to disliked others and persists even when only one person knows. We explain that this is because synchronized scheduling acts as “social glue,” increasing feelings of not only person-to-person social connection but also solidarity, trust, and cohesion within the group. As a result, it counteracts experienced and anticipated physical disconnection. We highlight implications for individuals and organizations seeking to create psychologically connected experiences in an increasingly physically disconnected world.

Journal

Journal of the Association for Consumer ResearchUniversity of Chicago Press

Published: Apr 1, 2023

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