Spontaneous interpersonal synchronization

old_uid2802
titleSpontaneous interpersonal synchronization
start_date2007/05/11
schedule11h-12h
onlineno
location_infobt. 9, rdj/ouest-08, salle de cours
summaryWhat mechanisms mediate the formation and dissolution of bonds between individuals, and how might such processes be quantified? Within a person’s brain, phase synchrony between specialized neural areas has been proposed as a self-organizing mechanism for the rapid creation and dissolution of coherent states. Does a similar mechanism hold between individuals and if so, how is it mediated? Self-organized spontaneous social coordination is well described in natural settings (e.g. fireflies flashing in unison). Even in humans, such phenomena have been extensively described (e.g. hand clapping of an audience) but no controlled methodological approaches have been employed that can systematically advance this empirical framework. The present experimental paradigm differs from previous research in which imitation or passive observation of the actions of another is employed. Rather it requires subjects to actively produce action at the same time as observing a similar action performed by someone else. We use the tools of nonlinear dynamics to determine to what extent spontaneous phase synchrony between two people emerges even if they are not explicitly instructed to coordinate with each other. Moreover, we quantify the degree to which the behavior of each individual remains influenced by the interaction even after information exchange is no longer possible, apparently a kind of “social memory”. In addition to presenting the experiment itself, we will discuss how such findings can be used in behavioral economics (game theory) and designing teleoperation interfaces.
responsiblesPélissier, Grainger