Social Motor Coordination

Question 1

What is Social Motor Coordination (SMC)? (Schmidt & Richardson, 2008; Schmidt et al., 2011).

Answer 1

A process of mutual interpersonal entertainment where an individuals movements simultaneously influence and are influenced by other peoples movements around them.
Results in coordinated actions during social interactions

Question 2

what does Social motor Coordination emerge from?

Answer 2

Cognitive processes

• intentionally
• unintentionally

Question 3

What are the complex representational processes for SMC:

Answer 3

1. Mental representation of others’ interactions
2. predict their movements
3. Plan response

Question 4

Does pre-existing affiliation influence social motor coordination?

Answer 4

• Infants show more coordinated movements with adults they are familiar with
• People familiar with each other (e.g., friends) tend to coordinate their movements more frequently (Latif et al., 2014)

Question 5

Social Motor Coordination positive effects:

Answer 5

• prosocial behaviours
• closeness and similarity
• liking
• cooperation
• social memory
• positive affect

Question 6

Example of SMC: Silent Disco

Answer 6

–> Groups listening to the same music were more coordinated in their movement