Despite the recognition that a vast expanse of human learning, from social norms to complex skills like language and motor abilities, transpires through interactions with others, the neural underpinnings of such interaction-based learning remain underexplored. The aim of the study is to conceptualize and validate the concept of inter-brain plasticity — a term we introduce to describe the dynamic, experience-dependent alterations in neural networks spanning between individuals engaged in mutual activities. We hypothesize that this inter-brain coupling is foundational to interaction-based learning, facilitating a unique neural connection that constitutes an 'inter-brain network' comprising interconnected brain regions across participants, which is dynamically reshaped during and after interaction-based learning experiences.
This research stands at the forefront of a new domain in neuroscience, with the potential to contribute to our understanding of learning, social interactions, and the neural coordination that underlies these processes. By exploring inter-brain plasticity in diverse contexts — from education to psychotherapy and beyond — we aim not only to contribute to our understanding of how interactions contribute to learning but also to open new avenues for clinical interventions and educational strategies that harness the power of shared neural dynamics for enhanced learning.
Knowledge about interbrain plasticity can contribute to educational approaches by identifying optimal conditions for learning. It can inform the development of more effective teaching methods that leverage the coupling of neural activities between teachers and students, thereby enhancing the learning experience and outcomes.
Finally, the project involves the development of a dyadic neurofeedback setup that will allow improving social interaction competencies through the facilitation of inter-brain coupling. Following the successful development and validation of this neurofeedback system, the subsequent phase involves its application in training individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), with the aim of addressing and ameliorating the social interaction challenges characteristic of the condition. Therapies that promote interbrain coupling between patients and therapists or among peer groups might improve social skills and reduce symptoms in ASD.
