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In our everyday conversations, it’s not just the words we say that matter—how we say them, and even how we move, plays a crucial role in how smoothly our interactions go. A recent study has revealed that the act of taking turns while talking may help synchronize both verbal and nonverbal cues, ultimately making our conversations more efficient and socially cohesive.
Published on September 25, 2024, in PLOS ONE, the study led by Tifenn Fauviaux from the University of Montpellier in France dives into how we unconsciously coordinate speech and gestures during conversations. While it’s well-established that individuals synchronize their own speech with gestures, little was known about how this coordination unfolds between two people in a conversation.
To explore this, Fauviaux and her team analyzed 14 face-to-face conversations where participants were free to chat about various topics. These interactions, lasting between 7 and 15 minutes, were recorded to track both speech patterns and movements—focusing specifically on vocal dynamics and physical gestures like head and wrist movements.
The study confirmed what previous research has suggested: individuals synchronize their own speech and gestures during conversations. But it took things a step further, showing that this synchronization also happens between people. In other words, while we’re talking, our gestures and vocal rhythms subtly align with those of the person we’re speaking to.
What makes this finding particularly intriguing is the role that turn-taking seems to play. As people exchange turns speaking, their movements and vocal cues mirror each other, making conversations more fluid and connected. This synchronization, the researchers believe, strengthens social bonds and enriches the way we interact on both an individual and interpersonal level.
“This study answers the question of how my speech and behaviors influence, or respond to, the person I’m conversing with,” says Fauviaux. The findings, she adds, highlight that synchronization between speech and gestures happens not just within an individual but between people, especially through the dynamics of turn-taking.
Beyond its potential to deepen our understanding of how humans interact, the study could offer valuable insights into prosocial behaviors or even conditions where social skills are impaired, like autism. By better understanding how verbal and nonverbal communication syncs up, researchers hope to uncover new ways to foster healthier social interactions.
As we continue to unravel the science behind human connection, it turns out that the way we take turns in a conversation might just be key to building better relationships.
