Modeling of Cooperative Rhythm Production with a Partner Considering One's Own Internal Tempo

Abstract

People can produce rhythm cooperatively with others in spite of some internal delays (e.g. transaction delay of stimulus and motor delay). For this study, we produced a model of rhythm production with a partner considering one's own internal tempo. Using it, we then investigated the mechanism of rhythmic coordination between two people. We based the work on the Dual Process Model (DPM) proposed by Mates to account for mechanisms of human synchronization performance with a pacemaker. In DPM internal time delays are considered and the internal timekeeper and two error corrections (phase correction and period correction) are included. We used these DPM characteristics to construct a model of rhythm production with a partner. Results of simulation using the applied model were compared to those of a behavioral experiment using an alternate tapping task in which participants alternately tapped with a partner using an index finger. Cooperative rhythm production was reproduced by the model, which included not only two error correction systems but also internal timekeeper correction based on one's own internal tempo. These results suggest that maintaining the self-tempo is important for cooperative rhythm production with others.