Virtual social interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic: the effect of interpersonal motor synchrony on social interactions in the virtual space

This study investigated the relationship between motor synchrony and emotional alignment during virtual social interactions, a context largely unexplored despite its increased prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two strangers discussed pandemic-related difficulties in a virtual setting (Zoom). Results indicated that motor synchrony and emotional alignment emerged spontaneously, leading to decreased negative affect, increased positive affect, and heightened feelings of trust, liking, cohesion, self-other overlap, and perceived similarity. Higher synchrony was particularly associated with increased positive emotional alignment and liking, suggesting that virtual interactions might share similar social effects to face-to-face interactions. These findings have implications for interventions addressing social isolation.

Hila Gvirts, Lya Ehrenfeld, Mini Sharma, Moran Mizrahi