Moving in synchrony with an avatar – presenting a novel and unbiased body sway synchronization paradigm

Abstract Moving in synchrony with one another is a fundamental mechanism that maintains human social bonds. Yet, not all individuals are equally likely to coordinate their behaviors others. The degree of interpersonal coordination greatly influenced by pre-existing characteristics the interacting partners, like cultural homogeneity group, shared goals, and likability other person. Considering most research questions necessitate an experimental set-up without such uncontrolled biases, we created novel, unbiased paradigm: human-avatar body sway synchronization paradigm. Participants’ was measured force plate while being exposed medio-laterally moving avatar. Forty-nine participants were tested condition (motionless vs. avatar) non-social control column). results revealed increased on medio-lateral axis avatar moving. did increase condition, indicating participant’s movement simply caused basal motion perception process. current study builds methodological fundament can help reduce biases due rapport between interaction partners serves as valuable paradigm for future studies.