Inter-group conflict affects inter-brain synchrony during synchronized movements.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Interpersonal synchrony, the temporal alignment of interacting individuals, is increasingly linked to the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG).
• The IFG's role in observation-execution systems suggests its involvement in mediating interpersonal synchrony.
• However, the influence of inter-group relationships on neural synchrony remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether inter-brain synchrony (IBS) is modulated by inter-group relationships.
• To examine IBS in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• To explore the plasticity of IBS in relation to group membership.

Main Methods:

• Functional Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning was employed to measure IBS.
• Dyads performed a 2D movement synchrony task.
• Participants were either same-nationality (ingroup) or Jewish-Palestinian (inter-group).

Main Results:

• Ingroup dyads exhibited greater behavioral synchrony and enjoyment compared to inter-group dyads.
• Inter-brain synchrony (IBS) in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) increased during the task.
• IBS in the left IFG was significantly higher in ingroup dyads than in inter-group dyads.

Conclusions:

• Group membership significantly modulates inter-brain synchrony (IBS) plasticity.
• The findings highlight the impact of inter-group dynamics on neural synchrony.
• The left IFG plays a crucial role in mediating interpersonal synchrony, influenced by group affiliation.