| Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, and Life Sciences, Vol. 17, Iss. 3, Jul, 2013, pp. 425-443 @2013 Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology & Life Sciences Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Extrapersonal? Qualitatively Investigating Coordinative Couplings between Rowers in Olympic Sculling Abstract: Coordinative couplings are commonly classified as interpersonal and intrapersonal.
Interpersonal coordination is normally thought of as between organisms but a subset
can also be considered where the co-actors movements are coupled to an environmental rhythm.
This can be termed extrapersonal coordination. This study explores how coordination is
achieved in a situation that demands that at least one actor makes use of extrapersonal sources.
In this case multi-seat rowing, where one actor cannot see the other one behind them.
A qualitative approach using experiential knowledge from expert rowers (N=9) and coaches (N=4)
was used to examine how interpersonal coordination was achieved and maintained in
2 person rowing boats. It was reported that where possible, both rowers coordinated their
movements by coupling with an invariant provided by the boat. This invariant is underpinned
by perception of water flow past the boat; which is in turn used to determine changes in
acceleration - 'rowing with the boat.' Bow seat also identified the rower in front and
stroke seat identified the looming of the stern as viable alternative sources for coupling. Keywords: interpersonal coordination, self-organisation, extrapersonal, experiential knowledge, qualiative analysis, rowing |