Technologically-assisted communication attenuates inter-brain synchrony

Schwartz, Linoy; Lévy, Jonathan; Endevelt‐Shapira, Yaara; Djalovski, Amir; Hayut, Olga; Dumas, Guillaume; Feldman, Ruth

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119677

Cited by 35 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 105 publications

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“…Doing so would help refine our understanding of neural synchrony in remote interactions and improve the validity of our experimental design. Additionally, the IBS could diminish when transitioning from face‐to‐face to remote interactions (Schwartz et al, 2022). The current study does not assert that the enhanced IBS achieved through pseudo‐mutual gazing is comparable to that observed in face‐to‐face interaction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Remote individuals sitting in front of screens and performing joint attention tasks may face challenges in making direct eye contact (George et al, 2022) and in awareness regarding their interacting partner's gaze. Furthermore, a recent study on mother-child interaction (Schwartz et al, 2022) found that connectivity within the temporal regions of two brains was associated with gaze synchrony during direct, face-to-face interactions. In this study, a platform was built that integrated a hyperscanning EEG system and eye trackers, enabling the synchronization of EEG signals and gaze points from interacting dyads.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pseudo‐mutual gazing enhances interbrain synchrony during remote joint attention tasking

Chuang

Hsu

2023

Brain and Behavior

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IntroductionMutual gaze enables people to share attention and increase engagement during social interactions through intentional and implicit messages. Although previous studies have explored gaze behaviors and neural mechanisms underlying in‐person eye contact, the growing prevalence of remote communication has raised questions about how to establish mutual gaze remotely and how the brains of interacting individuals synchronize.MethodsTo address these questions, we conducted a study using eye trackers to create a pseudo‐mutual gaze channel that mirrors the gazes of each interacting dyad on their respective remote screens. To demonstrate fluctuations in coupling across brains, we incorporated electroencephalographic hyperscanning techniques to simultaneously record the brain activity of interacting dyads engaged in a joint attention task in player‐observer, collaborative, and competitive modes.ResultsOur results indicated that mutual gaze could improve the efficiency of joint attention activities among remote partners. Moreover, by employing the phase locking value, we could estimate interbrain synchrony (IBS) and observe low‐frequency couplings in the frontal and temporal regions that varied based on the interaction mode. While dyadic gender composition significantly affected gaze patterns, it did not impact the IBS.ConclusionThese results provide insight into the neurological mechanisms underlying remote interaction through the pseudo‐mutual gaze channel and have significant implications for developing effective online communication environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pseudo‐mutual gazing enhances interbrain synchrony during remote joint attention tasking

Chuang

Hsu

2023

Brain and Behavior

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“…Another study used EEG on 10‐ to 14‐year‐olds to examine beta‐band synchrony between mothers and children in face‐to‐face versus remote video chat conversations about planning theoretical fun trips (Schwartz et al., 2022). The researchers focused on beta‐band activity given its links with parent–child attachment, communication between emotionally close individuals, empathy, and social engagement.…”

Section: Proximal Circumstances and Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The same study of video chat versus in‐person interactions (Schwartz et al., 2022) also examined relations between behavior and homologous synchrony. Interactions were micro‐coded (i.e., second‐by‐second rating of behaviors) for parents' and children's gaze and macro‐coded (i.e., global rating of behaviors) for children's empathic social engagement (a composite of children's gaze, openness to parents, involvement, approach, empathy, and collaboration).…”

Section: Proximal Circumstances and Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How parent–child brain‐to‐brain synchrony can inform the study of child development

Alonso,

McDorman,

Romeo

2023

Child Dev Perspectives

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It is well established that parent–child dyadic synchrony (e.g., mutual emotions, behaviors) can support development across cognitive and socioemotional domains. The advent of simultaneous two‐brain hyperscanning (i.e., measuring the brain activity of two individuals at the same time) allows further insight into dyadic neural synchrony. In this article, we review 16 recent studies of naturalistic, parent–child brain‐to‐brain synchrony, finding relations with the nature of interactions (collaborative vs. competitive, parent vs. stranger), proximal social cues (gaze, affect, touch, and reciprocity), child‐level variables (irritability, self‐regulation), and environmental factors (parental stress, family cohesion, and adversity). We then discuss how neural synchrony may provide a biological mechanism for refining broader theories on the developmental benefits of dyadic synchrony. We also highlight critical areas for future study, including examining synchrony trajectories longitudinally, including more diverse participants and interaction contexts, and studying caregivers beyond mothers (e.g., other family members, teachers). We conclude that neural synchrony is an exciting and important window into understanding how caregiver–child dyadic synchrony supports children's social and cognitive development.

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“…In contrast, technology now offers social interactions that are stripped of the physical copresence components, such as conversations via platforms like Zoom or texting that further conceal the partner's facial expression, body cues, chemosignals, and voice. This provides a challenge when partners attempt to interact or create a social bond 27 . Nevertheless, to our knowledge, no study to date has ever evaluated how texting as a form of interpersonal communication impacts the developing brain in real time and whether humans are even able to neurally and behaviorally synchronize via texting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Generation Whatsup: Inter-Brain Synchrony during Face-to-Face and Texting Communication

Schwartz,

Hayut,

Endevelt-Shapira

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

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Texting has become one of the most prevalent ways to interact socially, particularly among youth; however, the effects of text messaging on social brain functioning are unknown. Guided by the biobehavioral synchrony frame, this pre-registered study utilized hyperscanning EEG to evaluate interbrain synchrony during face-to-face versus texting interactions. Participants included 65 mother-adolescent (M = 12.28 years, range 10–15) dyads, observed during face-to-face conversation compared to texting from different rooms. The results indicate that both face-to-face and texting communication elicit significant neural synchrony compared to surrogate data, demonstrating for the first time brain-to-brain synchrony during texting. Direct comparison between the two interactions pinpointed 8 fronto-temporal interbrain links that are unique to the face-to-face interaction, suggesting that partners jointly create a fronto-temporal network during live social exchanges. Improvement in the partners' right-frontal-right-frontal connectivity from texting to live interactions correlated with greater behavioral synchrony, linking this well-researched neural connection with greater specificity of face-to-face communication. The findings suggest that while technology-based communication allows humans to synchronize from afar, face-to-face interactions remain the superior mode of communication for interpersonal connection. We conclude by discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of the pervasive use of texting by youth.

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Technologically-assisted communication attenuates inter-brain synchrony

Cited by 35 publications

References 105 publications

Pseudo‐mutual gazing enhances interbrain synchrony during remote joint attention tasking

Pseudo‐mutual gazing enhances interbrain synchrony during remote joint attention tasking

How parent–child brain‐to‐brain synchrony can inform the study of child development

Generation Whatsup: Inter-Brain Synchrony during Face-to-Face and Texting Communication

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