ABSTRACT
Abstract
A model of psychobiological attunement is advanced in which the behavioral and physiological systems of two individuals in a relationship become attuned to each other. Each partner provides meaningful stimulation for the other and has a modulating influence on the other's arousal level. Behavior state matching and cross-spectral analysis techniques are demonstrated for the assessment of attunement. Data examples are presented including: (a) greater coherence in the behavior and heart rate of nondepressed versus depressed mother-infant dyads; (b) greater concordance in the play behavior and physiology (heart rate and Cortisol) within preschool friend versus acquaintance pairs; (c) greater concordance and coherence of interaction behavior in pre-adolescent friends; and (d) inconsistency in the data on shared behavioral and physiological rhythms in adult dyads. Some of the inconsistencies in the literature may relate to the problem that both positive and negative affect are correlated with physiological arousal. The most parsimonious model suggests a curvilinear relationship with moderate amounts of coherence (synchrony) being optimal in relationships.
