Contextual pulls for synchrony and segregation: An empirical test of a novel theoretical framework

Interpersonal synchrony-the temporally coordinated alignment of behavior, physiology, and neural activity-is crucial for successful social interaction and group performance. However, the context-dependent nature of synchrony remains underexplored. This study offers an empirical test of the multimodal flexible synchrony theory, which posits that social contexts are defined by two latent potentials: the pull toward synchrony and the pull toward segregation. According to the theory, these latent pulls shape the expression and function of multimodal synchrony. To test this theory experimentally, these pulls were manipulated in a dyadic coordination task, and their effects on the relationship between two indices of physiological synchrony, performance, and group cohesion were examined. Results revealed that the relationship between physiological synchrony and performance and cohesion depends on the balance of these contextual pulls. In high-segregation contexts, heart rate interbeat interval (IBI) synchrony was negatively associated with performance, while in low-segregation contexts, IBI synchrony was positively associated with performance. These results were also true for the association between IBI synchrony and cohesion but only in high-synchrony contexts. Electrodermal activity (EDA) synchrony was positively associated with performance in high-segregation or low-synchrony contexts and was negatively associated with performance in low-segregation or high-synchrony contexts. EDA synchrony was not associated with group cohesion. These findings provide validation for the flexible multimodal theory and have significant implications for understanding and optimizing human collaboration across various social settings, suggesting the importance of considering both the need for alignment and individual autonomy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).