Brain Oscillations and Autonomic Synthonization via Comodulation in Collaborative Negotiation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychophysiology
• Social Cognition

Background:

• Dyadic exchanges involve complex social cognitive and emotional processes.
• Understanding neural and physiological synchrony (Synth) offers insights into interpersonal dynamics.
• Comodulation analysis quantifies synchronized neural and physiological activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between neural and physiological synthonization (Synth) in negotiation.
• To examine how Synth in different frequency bands and heart rate variability (HRV) changes across negotiation phases.
• To explore potential links between HRV-based Synth, personality, and reward sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• 13 dyads performed a negotiation task with Initiation, Negotiation Core, and Resolution phases.
• Electroencephalographic (EEG) delta, theta, and alpha bands and HRV were recorded.
• Synth was quantified using Euclidean distance (EuDist) for EEG and HRV indices.

Main Results:

• Significant neural Synth was observed in delta, theta, and alpha bands, indicating social cognitive alignment.
• HRV Synth was higher during the Negotiation Core Phase compared to the Initiation Phase.
• Cluster analysis of HRV EuDist revealed two groups differing in Synth and reward sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Neural and autonomic Synth are key indicators of social cognitive alignment and emotional regulation during negotiation.
• HRV Synth dynamics provide insights into interpersonal coordination.
• Individual differences in Synth and reward sensitivity may reflect distinct interpersonal patterns.