Interpersonal Synchronization Processes in Discrete and Continuous Tasks

Abstract

Three frameworks have been proposed to account for interpersonal synchronization: The information processing approach argues that synchronization is achieved by mutual adaptation, the coordination dynamics perspective supposes a continuous coupling between systems, and complexity matching suggests a global, multi-scale interaction. We hypothesized that the relevancy of these models was related to the nature of the performed tasks. 10 dyads performed synchronized tapping and synchronized forearm oscillations, in two conditions: full (participants had full information about their partner), and digital (information was limited to discrete auditory signals). Results shows that whatever the task and the available information, synchronization was dominated by a discrete mutual adaptation. These results question the relevancy of the coordination dynamics perspective in interpersonal coordination.

Keywords: complexity matching; mutual adaptation; synchronization; timing.