Abstract
Interpersonal synchrony contributes to social functioning in dyads, but it remains unknown how synchrony shapes group experiences and performance. To this end, we designed a novel group drumming task in which participants matched their drumming to either predictable or unpredictable tempos. Fifty-one three-person groups were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: synchronized or asynchronized drumming. Outcome measures included electrocardiograms and self-reports of group cohesion and synchrony. The drumming task elicited an increase in physiological synchrony between group members (specifically their hearts’ interbeat intervals). We also found that physiological synchronization and behavioral synchronization predicted individuals’ experience of group cohesion. Physiological synchrony also predicted performance in a subsequent group task that involved freely drumming together. The findings suggest that the behavioral and physiological consequences of synchronization contribute to the formation of group bonds and coordination. They also confirm that insights from translational social neuroscience can inform our knowledge of the development of cohesive and efficacious groups.
Highlights
Interpersonal synchrony is widespread across human culture and nonhuman groups
Our results highlight the importance of physiological and behavioral mechanisms of synchronization that support the development of group cohesion and performance
Using an ecologically valid real-life group setting via a novel synchronous vs. asynchronous musical paradigm, we showed that a manipulation in behavioral synchrony and emerging physiological coordination in interbeat intervals (IBIs) between group members predicted an enhanced sense of cohesion among group members
Summary
Interpersonal synchrony is widespread across human culture and nonhuman groups It is an evolutionary-based mechanism that facilitates social bonding, cohesion and exchange (i.e., it is a “social glue”)[1,2,3,4]. Considering that group work and cooperation are crucial for everyday life, identity and action, we aim to examine behavioral and physiological synchrony with reference to group cohesion and performance theories. The affect evoked from participants is quite neutral, and second, the method is usually performed using an experimenter or metronome These paradigms lack the naturalistic and ecologically valid components that are a part of real-life group interactions
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