AN ACADEMIC who is known as 'Dr Dance' is to outline his theories on how dancing can help people problem solve and also be more attractive to the opposite sex.
Dr Peter Lovatt is giving an open public lecture at the British Psychological Society's annual conference in Harrogate next Tuesday.
He is head of the dance psychology laboratory at the University of Hertfordshire and has appeared as an expert commentator on the likes of Strictly Come Dancing, Graham Norton and BBC Radio 5 Live.
Dr Lovatt, who is himself a former professional dancer, said: “There is a link between the body and the mind. We all know that when we dance it can make us feel great.
"But dancing also has other, amazing, effects on the way we think and feel. "It can help us solve problems and different styles of dancing can help us to solve different types of problems.
"Under certain conditions the cha-cha-cha can help us solve problems and puzzles faster."
His lecture 'Dance Psychology: Health, Thinking and Hormones' will explore three key areas of his research.
Dr Lovatt said: "The way people move and more importantly dance is influence by their hormonal and genetic makeup.
"How we dance can have an effect on our levels of attractiveness. For example men with high testosterone levels dance in a way that is much more appealing to the opposite sex."
The lecture, between 6pm and 7pm is in the Ripley Suite at the Harrogate Holiday Inn.
It is open to the public, but anyone wanting to attend must pre-register via this internet link https://response.questback.com/britishpsychologicalsociety/musxpetjsv/
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