Nonverbal synchrony and complementarity in unacquainted same-sex dyads: A comparison in a competitive context

Lozza, Nicla; Spoerri, Corinne; Ehlert, Ulrike; Kesselring, Marion; Hubmann, Priska; Tschacher, Wolfgang; La Marca, Roberto (2018). Nonverbal synchrony and complementarity in unacquainted same-sex dyads: A comparison in a competitive context. Journal of nonverbal behavior, 42(2), pp. 179-197. Springer 10.1007/s10919-018-0273-8

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Research on interpersonal synchronization deals with the coordination of
behavior, cognition and affect within interacting individuals. The phenomenon of synchronization has been explored in many settings and numerous definitions have emerged.
The purpose of this study was to compare nonverbal synchrony (based on overall body
movement) with the concept of complementarity (based on interpersonal theory) in a
competitive context. We examined 40 previously unacquainted same-sex dyads (21
female, 19 male; mean age = 22.81). Dyads underwent a 15-min videotaped competitive
role-play. Nonverbal synchrony was quantified by a frame-differencing method, and
complementarity by a joystick tracking method. Results revealed that dyads behaved in a
synchronous and complementary manner. We found that nonverbal synchrony was positively correlated with affiliation complementarity, but not dominance complementarity.
The present study compared nonverbal synchrony with complementarity. The link between
the two concepts was small, as indicated by rather weak correlations between nonverbal
synchrony and affiliation complementarity. Our results reinforce the view that competitive
behavior depends on complex dyadic interactions, including nonverbal and verbal
behavior.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy > Translational Research Center
04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy > Psychotherapy
04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services

UniBE Contributor:

Tschacher, Wolfgang

Subjects:

100 Philosophy
100 Philosophy > 150 Psychology
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

0191-5886

Publisher:

Springer

Language:

English

Submitter:

Wolfgang Tschacher

Date Deposited:

15 Feb 2019 16:40

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 15:24

Publisher DOI:

10.1007/s10919-018-0273-8

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Synchronization, Nonverbal, Complementarity, Interpersonal theory, Competition

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.123615

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/123615

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