The Phi Complex: What is a “social interaction”?
May 18, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
The phi complex is a brain rhythm in the awake human brain that seems to serve some social function. Research published in the May 8th Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that the phi complex is a “neuromarker of human social coordination” and that it has something to do with the mutual interactions of humans with one another. A May 18th article in HealthNewsDigest suggests that study of the phi complex may be a “sensitive probe or neuromarker of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia where the inability to have harmonious social interactions is problematic.” The researchers used EEG recordings to note the brain activity of two people performing continuous finger motions at the same time:
At first, the two subjects were asked to wag their fingers but were not allowed to see each others’ hands. Then, like the shutter release of a camera, the barrier placed between them was removed so they could see each other as they continued to wag their fingers. When subjects were allowed to see each others’ fingers moving, sometimes they adjusted their own movements and synchronized with each other, and sometimes they did not, behaving independently.
“While many interactions between people rely on mutual information exchange, little is known about how such social processes are integrated in the brain,” said [researcher J.A. Scott] Kelso, the Glenwood and Martha Creech Eminent Scholar in Science and founder of the Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences. “What this research suggests is that a unique pattern can be seen in the brains of two people interacting and that these brain activities distinguish independence from cooperation. This new brain rhythm that we have discovered and termed the ‘phi complex’ actually distinguishes when you’re socially interacting and when you’re not.”
Scientist Emmanuelle Tognoli also noted that
“‘”The phi complex is closely tied to the success of the mutual interaction between people and is not merely a consequence of one person imitating the other. Our measure of behavior, the phase or timing relationship between the actions of two people, is important because it characterizes the informational exchange between their brains.”
Mirror neurons, which are said to be set off when one person performs some action and also when one sees another person performing the same action, are enhanced or inhibited in the phi complex. Performing continuous finger motions simultaneously in concert with another person is a fairly simple activity; what does the phi complex look like when people are coordinating other actions, such as language in a conversation, or an exchange of a baton in a relay race?
It has been suggested that mirror neurons are “dysfunctional” in autistic persons; that the neural connections that occur in social interactions “break down” in persons with autism. Mirror neurons seem to be “involved in abilities such as empathy and the perception of another individual’s intentions” (as noted in the November 2006 Scientific American); since autistic persons are thought to be lacking in empathy, it is therefore thought that something is “dysfunctional” about their mirron neuron circuitry.
But what if it is not that autistic persons lack empathy, but that their ways of expressing their empathy—their sympathy, feelings, and compassions for others—is different? More and more, I think this the case for my son Charlie. Due to his limited language ability, I cannot provide certain evidence of this but I can listen to Charlie’s own way of telling me without words. Time and again, Charlie has signalled his deep awareness and understanding when one of us is worried or elated via the tensing of his boy, or his rapid running back and forth; via his tensed shoulders and drawn face, or his peaceful easy-feelingness.
And what if interacting socially with another person does not always mean that one “coordinates” actions with another—by returning a wave with another wave? What if a child, when someone waves to him, instead does something “independent”—looks down at the ground, or turns his head to the side? Might there not be more than one way to interact socially in a situation?
Well put! In fact, the person who turns away or looks at the ground may be interacting in a much more active way. The thing is that the wave-and-smile greeting happens almost automatically, at a surface level, and has next to no impact on our conscious thought. Meanwhile, when our guy turns his back on someone who waves at him, he’s totally aware of what is going on. The fact of that other person’s presence is totally dominating his consciousness.
But, in fairness, perhaps I should call this “reacting,” and not “interacting.” Because unless the other person is autistic, too, there is little reciprocity to averting of the eyes or turning of the back.
And perhaps that is where things like the phi complex come in. Many people can interact on autopilot because they are hardwired to do so in a particular way. The interaction is mediated by a non-conscious brain function. It could be that some interaction on the part of autistic people is not mediated by such function and is, therefore, more conscious, and hence more varied and individual.
yes. i agree with this. i know that my son is VERy aware of things around him, acutely tuned in to mood shifts, emotional states of mind of those he’s near. but his reaction isn’t ‘typical’ and therefore, it’s discounted by most.
VAB’s last sentence is fascinating. i DO think a lot of my social behavior is automatic, in line with what ‘most’ people do while my son’s is more individual and true to the moment.
I can’t remember learning how to wave—–I can remember teaching Charlie to do so!
This is interesting. I have still not been diagnosed, but every time I read an article on Asperger’s I am more convinced that this is me, and this article is no different. I feel SO deeply, but people tell me “Oh, its all about YOU!” Its NOT. But I have to be doing something wrong, because none of my relationships work out. I break my heart over things that have nothing to do with me, but these times when a potential friend shares something with me do nothing to cement the relationship. I see this happening to other people, and they talk about how close they are now that they survived a crisis together. But this is not happening for me. Is there a way to learn this? I am 50, is it too late for me? I always thought I was a good listener, and people have said this about me, from time to time. I have been told its easy to talk to me, but this must not be what is required to have a lasting friendship. I am searching. Or maybe everyone is lonely, and they just don’t seem that way on the outside?!? I apologize if this is overly emotional. This website tends to make me cry.
I’d be curious to know if any similar studies have been done to show differences (if any exisit) in brain function during play. Specifically, during what one might deem “typical vs. atypical” modes of play. An example of this would be when Nik plays with a certain toy, he doesn’t use it in the manner that most NT kids might. instead, I think, he tends to really evaluate it and analyze it before he even attempts to fully engage with it. Gotta figure out how it all works, that one!
I have to echo Kyra on how Nik takes it all in, inspite of his seeming lack of connection or interest. Sometimes, I am intimidated by how incredibly smart and perceptive Nik can be but I think it’s the same as how he plays with toys; he analyzes before engaging. Very much like his father (whom I am now wondering if he has some slight degree of possible Aspergers, seriously).