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Updated: Jun 17, 2025
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Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study
Published on: July 21, 2021
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Measuring information alignment in hyperscanning research with representational analyses: moving beyond interbrain
Manuel Varlet1,2, Tijl Grootswagers1,3
1The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|August 9, 2024
Summary
Hyperscanning research often focuses on interbrain synchrony, but this study shows it poorly reflects shared information. New representational analyses better capture interpersonal information alignment during social interaction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Social Interaction Research
Background:
- Hyperscanning records simultaneous brain activity from multiple individuals.
- It's used to study social interaction and has focused on interbrain synchrony.
- Interbrain synchrony measures alignment of brain waves between individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the sensitivity of interbrain synchrony to information alignment during social interaction.
- To explore alternative methods for detecting interpersonal information alignment in hyperscanning data.
Main Methods:
- Simulated electroencephalography (EEG) hyperscanning data were used.
- Interbrain synchrony was measured under conditions of shared and differing visual input.
- Representational similarity analysis was applied to hyperscanning recordings.
Main Results:
- Interbrain synchrony showed low sensitivity to information alignment across individuals.
- Synchrony levels remained unchanged regardless of whether participants viewed the same or different stimuli.
- Representational analyses successfully identified indices of interpersonal information alignment.
Conclusions:
- Current hyperscanning research relying solely on interbrain synchrony may have limitations.
- Representational analyses offer a more sensitive approach to studying shared information in social interactions.
- This work provides a promising alternative for investigating interactive minds.
