Mathematical modelling of interactive tapping reveals tap intervals as strongest predictor of subsequent tap timing
Abstract
Successful interpersonal rhythmic coordination requires people to continuously adapt both the timing and tempo of their actions to one another. Classical error-correction models distinguish these processes as phase and period correction, typically modeling them as responses to instantaneous and cumulative asynchrony, respectively. These models were developed mostly for sensorimotor synchro- nisation to an external pacing signal, rather than interactive interpersonal coordination where both partners adapt. It thus remains unknown which temporal information people actually use to adapt their behaviour to one another. We show, using a bounded generalised least-squares framework and joint finger-tapping data obtained from both bidirectional (reciprocal) and unidirectional (leader- follower) interactions, that the previous inter-tap interval (ITI) of a partner is a better predictor for an individual’s next ITI than either cumulative or instantaneous asynchrony. We argue that this predictor is not only the strongest from a modelling perspective, but also the most parsimonious from a theoretical point of view. Our results support these claims and show that the partner’s previous ITI provides a less endogenous predictor of adaptation, addressing a long-standing issue in models of tapping behaviour.
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BibTeX
@misc{mannion2026mathematical,
title = {{Mathematical modelling of interactive tapping reveals tap intervals as strongest predictor of subsequent tap timing}},
author = {Shane Mannion and Ivana Konvalinka},
howpublished = {PsyArXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.31234/osf.io/78azg_v2},
url = {https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/78azg_v2/},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Mathematical modelling of interactive tapping reveals tap intervals as strongest predictor of subsequent tap timing
AU - Shane Mannion
AU - Ivana Konvalinka
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/23
PB - PsyArXiv
DO - 10.31234/osf.io/78azg_v2
UR - https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/78azg_v2/
AB - Successful interpersonal rhythmic coordination requires people to continuously adapt both the timing and tempo of their actions to one another. Classical error-correction models distinguish these processes as phase and period correction, typically modeling them as responses to instantaneous and cumulative asynchrony, respectively. These models were developed mostly for sensorimotor synchro- nisation to an external pacing signal, rather than interactive interpersonal coordination where both partners adapt. It thus remains unknown which temporal information people actually use to adapt their behaviour to one another. We show, using a bounded generalised least-squares framework and joint finger-tapping data obtained from both bidirectional (reciprocal) and unidirectional (leader- follower) interactions, that the previous inter-tap interval (ITI) of a partner is a better predictor for an individual’s next ITI than either cumulative or instantaneous asynchrony. We argue that this predictor is not only the strongest from a modelling perspective, but also the most parsimonious from a theoretical point of view. Our results support these claims and show that the partner’s previous ITI provides a less endogenous predictor of adaptation, addressing a long-standing issue in models of tapping behaviour.
ER -