Interactional synchrony: signals, mechanisms and benefits

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Biology

Background:

• Group-living animals, including humans, exhibit behavioral synchronization with conspecifics.
• Previous research in social psychology and neuroscience has explored the drivers of this phenomenon.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate findings on the stimuli, mechanisms, and benefits of interactional synchrony.
• To identify key characteristics of stimuli that promote synchronization.
• To elucidate the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying synchrony and its adaptive value.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on interactional synchrony.
• Analysis of stimulus properties (modality, complexity, emotional content, variability) influencing synchronization.
• Examination of neural mechanisms (striato-cortical loops, posterior superior temporal cortex) and their roles.

Main Results:

• Auditory, multimodal, emotional, and adaptive stimulus sequences possess high synchronizing power.
• Synchronization is supported by automatic temporal processing via striato-cortical loops and value-driven socio-emotional processes in the posterior superior temporal cortex.
• Stimulus complexity and modality significantly impact synchronization.

Conclusions:

• Interactional synchrony is facilitated by specific stimulus characteristics and a combination of automatic and socio-emotional neural processes.
• Benefits of synchrony include enhanced signal predictability, improved information processing, and strengthened social bonds.
• Understanding synchrony offers insights into individual and group-level adaptive outcomes.