Confusing use of synchronized in Java: pattern or anti-pattern?

I'm doing a code review for a change in a Java product I don't own. I'm not a Java expert, but I strongly suspect that this is pointless and indicates a fundamental misunderstanding of how synchronization works.

synchronized (this) {
    this.notify();
}

But I could be wrong, since Java is not my primary playground. Perhaps there is a reason this is done. If you can enlighten me as to what the developer was thinking, I would appreciate it.