Abstract
Dance is movement of the body that is rhythmically and culturally patterned. Depending on the genre and intention, people dance in groups, pairs, or on their own. Dance can be a social part of devotional or ritual activity. It can also be choreographed and performed as art or entertainment. Meaning in dance is found in the stylistic and structural manipulation of the elements of space, rhythm, and dynamics, and the human body’s physical control. As human behaviour, dance draws on motoric, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social capacities. It is cultural, providing a means for people sharing and communicating identity, beliefs, and social structures.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Music in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: An Encyclopedia |
Editors | William Forde Thompson |
Place of Publication | U.S. |
Publisher | Sage |
Pages | 311-316 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781452283036 |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |