It Takes Two: Theory of Mind and Behavioural Coordination in Social Interaction
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Authors
Elaneh, Elias
Date
2024-10-03
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Social Interaction, Theory of Mind, Behavioural Coordination, Social Success
Alternative Title
Abstract
The ability to accurately identify others’ mental states (e.g., thoughts, emotions, intentions), known as Theory of Mind (ToM) decoding, is linked to favorable social outcomes, such as greater relationship quality and larger social networks. Despite its importance in social interaction, little research has explored how ToM is leveraged during live social interactions, where dyadic dynamics like behavioural coordination emerge. This study investigated how behavioral coordination, a dyadic process, influences the relationship between ToM, an individual trait, and positive interpersonal perceptions. A total of 332 individuals completed a ToM decoding accuracy measure before participating in a 7-minute collaborative building task in same-gender pairs. Participants then rated their partner's likeability. Video recordings of the interactions were analyzed using OpenPose software to extract two coordination metrics: movement synchrony and postural matching, which reflect coordination in time and space, respectively. I hypothesized that greater ToM accuracy would be more strongly associated with higher partner ratings of likeability in the presence of greater postural matching and movement synchrony. Actor-partner interdependence moderation models in a structural equation modeling framework were used to account for dyadic interdependence. The interaction between an individual’s ToM accuracy and their coordination with a partner did not significantly predict partner-rated likeability. However, ToM accuracy, postural matching, and movement synchrony each independently predicted likeability, suggesting that these processes do not enhance each other in fostering positive interpersonal perceptions but each independently contribute to interaction success. Further research is needed to establish a more temporally sensitive and context-dependent understanding of how ToM and behavioral coordination may interact during social interactions.