Event Abstract

Many Moving as One? Analyses of movement synchrony within large groups

  • 1 University of Birmingham, School of Psychology, United Kingdom
  • 2 University of Sheffield, Vibration Engineering Section, United Kingdom
  • 3 University of Exeter, Vibration Engineering Section, United Kingdom

Synchrony can often occur spontaneously within groups, where the size of the group can range from a pair of individuals (e.g. walking side-by-side) right up to large crowds (e.g. in football stadia, or walking across a bridge). While dyadic synchrony has been widely analysed, measuring synchrony within larger groups (n>2) becomes more complex and remains elusive. Here, I will present a range of analyses that can be applied to measure synchrony performance within groups. Using video and wireless inertial measurement units, we captured data from a group of 12 participants (stood in 4 rows x 3 formation) making bouncing movements. Movements were initially made in time to a metronome, which was then switched off. Participants bounced with eyes closed to begin with and then eyes open after the metronome was switched off. Using the experimental data, I will present analyses of synchrony performance at an individual and overall group level using event-based, frequency-domain and dynamical methods. In particular, I will show how the strength of synchrony coupling between individuals varies by position and the size of the group.

Keywords: synchrony, movement timing, group synchrony, motion capture, dynamical systems

Conference: 14th Rhythm Production and Perception Workshop Birmingham 11th - 13th September 2013, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 11 Sep - 13 Sep, 2013.

Presentation Type: Poster Presentation

Topic: Rhythm Production and Perception

Citation: Elliott MT, Zheng F, Racic V, Brownjohn J and Wing AM (2013). Many Moving as One? Analyses of movement synchrony within large groups. Conference Abstract: 14th Rhythm Production and Perception Workshop Birmingham 11th - 13th September 2013. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2013.214.00006

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Received: 12 Aug 2013; Published Online: 24 Sep 2013.

* Correspondence: Dr. Mark T Elliott, University of Birmingham, School of Psychology, Birmingham, United Kingdom, m.elliott.3@bham.ac.uk