Cross-Brain Coherence with Different Modes of Interaction

During interpersonal interaction, humans utilize complex language (Hari & Kujala, 2007). Humans utilize such language to cooperate, compete, imitate, help, inform, question, negotiate, bargain, lie, and vote. Until about 20 years ago, much of this communication was conducted in-person or through telephones. However, digital communication within the past 20 years has continued to rise, thus replacing these forms of interaction (Williams, 1977). Emerging adults, who report texting as their dominant daily mode of communication, comprise the largest proportion of texting and instant messaging users. 63% of these emerging adults report exchanging text messages every day, in stark contrast to the 35% of emerging adults who report engaging in face-to-face interaction outside the classroom and the 14% of emerging adults who report speaking to their friends on a landline (PewResearchCenter, 2012). Thus, communication amongst adolescents and early adults has increasingly become digital and text-based. Yet, only face-to-face socialization enables communicators to practice nonverbal cues, such as a smile, head nod, a lean toward the conversational partner, and a hand gesture, which have been found to build feelings and commitment within a relationship (Gonzaga et al., 2001).

• Social Science