Utilizing Verbal Response Modes to Analyze and Enhance Group Discussion Dynamics: A Case Study on Speech Behavior and Conversational Trends

Currently, group discussion formats are extensively utilized in diverse real-world settings. In this work-in-progress study, we delve into an approach rooted in the functional facet of utterances, classifying them into eight distinct Verbal Response Modes (VRMs): (Disclosure (D), Edification (E), Advertisement (A), Confirmation (C), Question (Q), Acknowledgement (K), and Reflection (R)). This unique categorization is pivotal in understanding conversational tendencies among students across two salient group discussion paradigms: free-form and sequential discussions. Leveraging VRM coding, we observed that participants' discourse in sequential discussions is inherently more logical. Through a concise case study, this paper sheds light on the potential reasons behind the efficacy of certain discussions and introduces VRM as a promising tool for discerning conversational models. Understanding speech behaviors and conversational tendencies can significantly enhance group discussions in educational and professional settings.