Complexity matching in a cooperative Wiimote game

Two complex dynamical systems tend to match in the complexity index of their behavioral time series when they interact, revealing global coordination at multiple timescales. In recent years this ‘complexity matching effect’ (CME) has been demonstrated in humans during interpersonal coordination. However, complexity matching has not yet been studied thoroughly in goal-directed, cooperative or competitive interactions. In the present study participants (N=80) performed a simple dyadic coordinative game using Wiimote controllers. With these controllers they each manipulated a cursor on a large monitor in front of them. One participant made voluntary (but reasonably follow-able) movements across the screen for 100 seconds, while the other participant tried to follow as closely as possible. Pixel coordinates of the cursors were registered at 100 Hz. In line with the task instruction, performance was defined as the distance between the cursors. Additionally, the temporal patterns of each participant’s cursor movements were analyzed separately.
Results showed (1) CME in the cursor movement of the participants, (2) no relation between CME and performance, and (3) a relation between each participant’s fractal scaling and performance.