A very detailed essay on both clapping and applause

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a very detailed 29-page pdf article (with 78 references) by Alan Crawley at Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science on June 7, 2023 [pages 1 to 29] titled Clap, Clap, Clap – Unsystematic Review Essay on Clapping and Applause. The first two paragraphs of his Conclusion are that:

 

“Clapping and applause are two different behaviors. The first is a nonverbal phonokinesic manner that mechanically produces an acoustic sound after bursting a bubble of air between both palms of the hands. Different from clapping, applauses are claps that convey a meaning of approval, most usually used in a rhythmic, repetitive sequence.

This may be the first literature review on the complex polysemic and multipurpose behavior of clapping, and even it tried to bring several interdisciplinary lenses to study the same behavior, many historical and current aspects of how it functions, its variations, frequency, and so many more aspects still are yet to understand.”

 

Functions of applause are to:

Approve

Celebrate

Show Support

Cooperate

Intimidate

 

Section titles in Alan’s article are:

Introduction

Definition

Is a Clap a Gesture?

Evolutionary Origin of Clapping

Development of Clapping During Ontogeny

Clapp as an Expression of Soft Biometric Data

Clap as an Expression of Language and Inner Thought

Clap as a Social Act

Clap as a Contagious and Synchronized Act

Why is Synchrony Important, 

  and How Does It Work in Humans?

Clapping and Social Hierarchy

Synchrony Unity and Equality

The Role of Culture in Applause and Claps

The Subjective Experience of Receiving Applause

Conclusion

 

The cartoon came from here at OpenClipArt.

 

The secret psychology behind why audiences clap and how to earn it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a recent, brief post at the Jaimie Abbott blog on November 10, 2025 titled The secret psychology behind why audiences clap (and how to earn it). Her four points are that:

 

1]  Applause is connection made audible

2]  The brain loves closure

3]  Energy is contagious

4]  People clap when they feel proud of you

 

And also:

 

“Applause isn’t something you demand. It’s something you deserve. It’s not about performance, it’s about presence. When you connect, complete, energize, and inspire pride, your audience can’t help but clap.”

 

An image of clapping hands came from here at Wikimedia Commons.

 

Five ideas for generating applause when you need it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Brainzooming blog in October 2014 there is a post titled Event Strategy – 5 Ideas for Generating Applause When You Need It. They are:

 

1] Identify upfront where you want applause

2] Make sure there is always an applause starter in the audience [a shill]

3] Invite the audience to applaud

4] Keep presenters close to the stage

5] If you’re a speaker, pause at your applause line

 

The clapping hands cartoon was adapted from Wikimedia Commons.