Modeling dynamics on the dance floor with directional swarmalators

Understanding collective behavior in both biological and social contexts, such as human interactions on dance floors, is a growing field of interest. Spatiotemporal dynamics of collective behavior have previously been modeled, for instance, with swarmalators, which are dynamical units that exhibit b...

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Main Authors: Petri Toiviainen, Joshua S. Bamford, Marc R. Thompson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2025.1534371/full
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author Petri Toiviainen
Petri Toiviainen
Joshua S. Bamford
Joshua S. Bamford
Joshua S. Bamford
Marc R. Thompson
Marc R. Thompson
author_facet Petri Toiviainen
Petri Toiviainen
Joshua S. Bamford
Joshua S. Bamford
Joshua S. Bamford
Marc R. Thompson
Marc R. Thompson
author_sort Petri Toiviainen
collection DOAJ
description Understanding collective behavior in both biological and social contexts, such as human interactions on dance floors, is a growing field of interest. Spatiotemporal dynamics of collective behavior have previously been modeled, for instance, with swarmalators, which are dynamical units that exhibit both swarming behavior and synchronization, combining spatial movement and entrainment. In our current study, we have expanded the swarmalator concept to encompass gaze direction as a representation of visual attention. We employ the newly developed directional swarmalator model for simulating the complex spatiotemporal dynamics observed on dance floors. Our model aims to reflect the complex dynamics of collective movement, as well as rhythmic synchronization and gaze alignment. It establishes a quantitative framework to dissect how individuals on dance floors self-organize and generate emergent patterns in response to both musical stimuli and visual perception of other dancers. The inclusion of gaze direction allows for the simulation of realistic scenarios on dance floors, mirroring the dynamic interplay of human movement in rhythm-driven environments. The model is initially tested against motion capture recordings of two groups dancing in a silent disco, however, it is theoretically adaptable to a variety of scenarios, including varying group sizes, adjustable degrees of auditory and visual coupling, as well as modifiable interaction ranges, making it a generic tool for exploring collective behavior in musical settings. The development of the directional swarmalator model contributes to understanding social dynamics in shared music and dance experiences.
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spelling doaj-art-22d96ae2d45e44a0a47671a555d7ffaf2025-02-05T07:32:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience1662-51532025-02-011910.3389/fnbeh.2025.15343711534371Modeling dynamics on the dance floor with directional swarmalatorsPetri Toiviainen0Petri Toiviainen1Joshua S. Bamford2Joshua S. Bamford3Joshua S. Bamford4Marc R. Thompson5Marc R. Thompson6Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandDepartment of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandCentre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandDepartment of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandSocial Body Lab, Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion, School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford, Oxford, United KingdomCentre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandDepartment of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandUnderstanding collective behavior in both biological and social contexts, such as human interactions on dance floors, is a growing field of interest. Spatiotemporal dynamics of collective behavior have previously been modeled, for instance, with swarmalators, which are dynamical units that exhibit both swarming behavior and synchronization, combining spatial movement and entrainment. In our current study, we have expanded the swarmalator concept to encompass gaze direction as a representation of visual attention. We employ the newly developed directional swarmalator model for simulating the complex spatiotemporal dynamics observed on dance floors. Our model aims to reflect the complex dynamics of collective movement, as well as rhythmic synchronization and gaze alignment. It establishes a quantitative framework to dissect how individuals on dance floors self-organize and generate emergent patterns in response to both musical stimuli and visual perception of other dancers. The inclusion of gaze direction allows for the simulation of realistic scenarios on dance floors, mirroring the dynamic interplay of human movement in rhythm-driven environments. The model is initially tested against motion capture recordings of two groups dancing in a silent disco, however, it is theoretically adaptable to a variety of scenarios, including varying group sizes, adjustable degrees of auditory and visual coupling, as well as modifiable interaction ranges, making it a generic tool for exploring collective behavior in musical settings. The development of the directional swarmalator model contributes to understanding social dynamics in shared music and dance experiences.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2025.1534371/fulldance and movementinteractioncomplex dynamicsswarmalatorsentrainment
spellingShingle Petri Toiviainen
Petri Toiviainen
Joshua S. Bamford
Joshua S. Bamford
Joshua S. Bamford
Marc R. Thompson
Marc R. Thompson
Modeling dynamics on the dance floor with directional swarmalators
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
dance and movement
interaction
complex dynamics
swarmalators
entrainment
title Modeling dynamics on the dance floor with directional swarmalators
title_full Modeling dynamics on the dance floor with directional swarmalators
title_fullStr Modeling dynamics on the dance floor with directional swarmalators
title_full_unstemmed Modeling dynamics on the dance floor with directional swarmalators
title_short Modeling dynamics on the dance floor with directional swarmalators
title_sort modeling dynamics on the dance floor with directional swarmalators
topic dance and movement
interaction
complex dynamics
swarmalators
entrainment
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2025.1534371/full
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