2 - Biological approaches

Summary

With this chapter we begin to review theories and models that have been advanced to predict and explain interaction adaptation patterns. We begin with the biologically rooted adaptation patterns of synchrony, mimicry, and mirroring, which are typically performed without awareness or volition. These patterns may be the elemental organizing principles for all social interaction. As such, they are likely prerequisites for matching, convergence, and reciprocity. That is, they may be necessary but not sufficient conditions for reciprocal adaptation.

INTERACTIONAL SYNCHRONY

Social interaction is rhythmically and hierarchically organized (Bruneau, 1994; Chappie, 1982; Condon & Ogston, 1971). It entails regular patterns of behavior in which each interactant's behavior influences the other's behavior (Cappella, 1991a). The dyad rather than single individuals, and dynamic rather than static behaviors, are at the heart of synchrony.

Specifically, interactional synchrony focuses on how individuals coordinate their communication behaviors temporally with those of another conversant to achieve a kind of “goodness of fit” between them. It represents a nonrandom co–occurrence of mutual adaptation (Cappella, 1981). Synchrony and motor mimicry together may be the basis for one person “catching” another's mood, emotion, or behavior pattern. Their influence on human interaction is so compelling that Hatfield, Cacioppo, and Rapson (1994) advanced the following basic proposition in their case for emotional contagion:

In conversation, people tend automatically and continuously to mimic and synchronize their movements with the facial expressions, voices, postures, movements, and instrumental behaviors of others.

(p. 10)

Definitions

Originally conceptualized by Condon and Ogston (1966, 1967, 1971), synchrony actually occurs at both the intrapersonal and interpersonal levels.