Dyadic Data

The Nature of Dyadic Data

Dyadic data typically concern registration of observed behavior that occurs in the here and now. These behaviors are often supposed to reflect an underlying construct, such as warmth or rigidity, that is considered to be relevant for long-term development. For instance, when an infant is expressing distress, a parent may pick the child up and start to vocalize. As a response, the infant may calm down and look up at the parent. This action sequence can be seen as an expression of a sensitive and responsive parenting style that may promote healthy emotional interactive behavior. The example shows that dyadic data capture multiple time scales: the level of the specific action sequences and the level of longer term interaction patterns. The existence of the dyad itself may also vary in duration. The nature and the dynamics of the dyadic events depend on the inherent duration of the dyad, ranging from highly volatile to highly stable. For all dyads, the importance of the real-time behaviors is key; [Page 674]that is, the ordered and coupled sequence of actions of each individual in the specific interaction context. Within a dyadic interaction, individual actions are not independent but are typically cocreated and coordinated. This means that both partners adapt their individual behavior to the actions and anticipated actions of the other. The repeated moment-to-moment interactions create patterns. For instance, in the example above, because both child and caregiver adapt their actions in response to each other, the probability that certain interactions will recur increases, creating more predictable behavioral patterns. Once such patterns are formed, they typically constrain the dynamics and limit future actions that can take place.

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