Interpersonal alignment in infra-slow EEG rhythms anticipates mutual recognition

Neuronal rhythms coordinate cognitive and physiological processes across multiple timescales, with slower frequencies potentially forming the basis for meaningful contextual transitions. However, investigating these slower aspects requires methodological innovation beyond standard EEG approaches. Using a minimalist virtual environment paradigm, we found that infra-slow EEG oscillations (ISOs) in the 0.016–0.2 Hz frequency range tracked meaningful contextual transitions during social interaction. Furthermore, participants who successfully engaged in a perceptual crossing task exhibited increased alignment in the spectral power of ISOs when measured in the temporal vicinity of the task response (before-after button press), compared to those who failed. This task-locked alignment was accompanied by similar dynamics in respiratory pressure and electrodermal activity, suggesting that ISOs reflect the integration of physiological, cognitive, and social processes, with their alignment facilitating shared understanding and joint action. These findings highlight the role of ISOs in mediating the temporal dynamics of social cognition and show that inter-participant alignment in ISOs can serve as a proxy for the complex interplay between body physiology, cognition, and social behavior.