Visual Multifrequency Entrainment: Can 1:2, 2:3, and 3:4 Coordination Occur Spontaneously?

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Complex patterns of interlimb coordination, such as multifrequency relationships of 1:2, 2:3, or 3:4, are difficult to perform intentionally without extensive practice. The current study investigated whether these patterns might nonetheless occur spontaneously given an appropriate balance between the movement frequencies, or oscillatory periods, of an individual's movements and a visual-environmental stimulus. In order to test this, participants swung a fixed-period wrist-pendulum while observing an oscillating computer-generated stimulus. Results indicated that at given differences in period, 1:2, 2:3, and 3:4 coordination patterns emerged between the participant and stimulus. This suggests that large period differences do not altogether prevent the emergence of rhythmic visuomotor coordination, but instead provide the opportunity for complex patterns of coordination to emerge spontaneously.

Keywords:

• interpersonal coordination
• polyrhythms
• spontaneous entrainment
• visual coordination

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank R. C. Schmidt, Michael A. Riley, and Steven H. Harrison for helpful comments during the preparation of this manuscript.

Notes

¹Previous work by Kugler and Turvey (1987) has demonstrated that when given the instruction to swing a pendulum at a comfortable pace, the resultant tempo will be very similar to the pendulum's resonant period, as determined by its length and mass.

²Coders were asked to identify instances of 1:1, 1:2, 2:3, and 3:4 coordination. This was based both on the expected possible frequency relationships between the stimulus and pendulum, as well as the length of the trials and the criteria of four complete cycles of a multifrequency pattern to classify an instance of coordination. These criteria precluded attempts at identifying 1:3 coordination, as the expected frequency relationships between the stimulus and pendulum all fell at or above 1:2, as well as any coordination modes with a numerator or denominator greater than four since it would not have been possible to complete four full cycles of coordinated behavior within a 60-s trial.