Seminar on 'Brains and Bodies on the Same Wavelength: the Neuroscience of Social Interaction' Th 17 Oct 14:30

Dear all,

We would like to invite you to a seminar by Dr. Jonas Chatel-Goldman on next Thursday 17th Oct.

Date/Time:  Thu 17 Oct  14:30 - 15:30  

Venue:        Seminar Room C 210, Level C, Centre Bldg.

Title:           Brains and Bodies on the Same Wavelength: the Neuroscience of Social Interaction
Speaker:     Dr. Jonas Chatel-Goldman, GIPSA-lab, Grenoble University, France

Abstract:

Spontaneous synchrony is a ubiquitous phenomenon in biological and physical systems that is widely observed in nature and spans across diverse spatial and temporal scales. In animals for example, spontaneous emergence of local synchronicity can be observed in fireflies on a tree (“the Christmas tree effect”) or in the flocking behavior of birds and fishes. In humans as well, we have all experienced unconsciously synchronizing our footsteps with the footsteps of a friend or heard an audience’s clapping hands naturally transform into a steady rhythm. The key point is that such synchronization may emerge whether there is information exchange between the individuals. From the framework of non-linear dynamics, these equilibrium states can be seen as attractors of coupled dynamical systems.  Due to the lack of theoretical framework, as well as numerous technical and methodological limitations, the neuroscientific exploration of interpersonal dynamics and coupling at the brain level has been left untouched for a long time. We now begin to tackle this challenge by using simultaneous neuroimaging of multiple interacting subjects engaged in ecological settings. In addition to alignment at a behavioral level during social interaction, recent research has revealed inter-individual synchronies in our physiological and brain activities as well.  In this talk I aim at offering a comprehensive view on the various advances done in the field last decade. I introduce the basic mechanisms that enable us to “tick on the same wavelength”. Finally, I provide a theoretical framework that situates existing neuroscience research on social interaction in the frame of general organization principles of social cognition.

Short bio:
I am a PhD fellow in GIPSA-lab, Grenoble University (France). I am interested in interpersonal coupling of brains and bodies during social interaction. I address this exciting topic with complementary research on neuroscience of social interaction and signal processing methods for brain imaging analysis of hyperscanning data.

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We welcome all to attend the seminar.