Dynamical systems theory and social behaviour: An experimental investigation of the relationship between subclinical psychopathology and interpersonal coordination

Interpersonal coordination is integral to successful social interaction. Yet, for individuals with autismor social anxiety, disruptions to coordination are common. Little is currently known about whether thepsychopathology-coordination relationship extends to subclinical populations, nor the avenues bywhich this relationship is sustained. The current thesis examined these issues across threeexperiments. The results documented coordination deficits at the subclinical level and providedinsight as to how symptoms of SAD/ASD may shape coordination - namely differences in frequencymatching and perception. More broadly, this work highlights the utility of consideringpsychopathology and social interaction as dynamic embodied-embedded phenomena.