Granger Geweke Causality reveals information exchange during physical interaction is modulated by task difficulty

Abstract

The haptic sense is an important mode of communication during physical interactions, and it is known to enable humans to estimate key features of their partner's behavior. It is proposed that such estimations are based upon the exchange of information mediated by the interaction forces, resulting in role distribution and coordination between partners. In the present study, we examined whether the information exchange is functionally modified to adapt to the task, or whether it is a fixed process, leaving the adaptation to individual's behaviors. We analyzed the forces during an empirical dyadic interaction task using Granger-Geweke causality analysis, which allowed us to quantify the causal influence of each individual's forces on their partner's. The dynamics of relative phase were also examined. We observed an increase of inter-partner influence with an increase in the spatial accuracy required by the task, demonstrating an adaptation of information flow to the task. This increase of exchange with the spatial accuracy constraint was accompanied by an increase of errors and of the variability of the relative phase between forces. The influence was dominated by participants in a specific role, showing a clear role division as well as task division between the dyad partners. Moreover, the influence occurred in the [2.15–7] Hz frequency band, demonstrating its importance as a frequency band of interest during cooperation involving haptic interaction. Several interpretations are introduced, ranging from sub-division of motion control to phase–amplitude coupling.