Family Synchrony

Synchrony within the family refers to the coordination over time of actions, environments, and biology that may foster mutual influence among intimate or familial units. The phenomenon of synchrony was first observed behaviorally in the parent–child relationship and has since been broadened to romantic relationships. As technology and theory have progressed, the study of synchrony has expanded to include biological as well as behavioral coordination between family members. This entry discusses a developmental perspective on synchrony within the family, beginning with the parent–child relationship and moving toward the couple relationship.