Action and reaction: computer-mediated dialogues as a model for natural interfaces

We describe a study which examined the relationship between certain textual/discursive cues during computer mediated dialogues and correlations of these cues with two measures of impression formation: 1) a global positivity of impressions questionnaire; and 2) perceptions of six personality dimensions. The study also examined discourse phenomena emergent in the conversations. Undergraduates participated in same and mixed sex dyadic, forced turn, computer mediated dialogues and were asked to report impressions of their conversational partners. Results indicated that relative amounts of words per turn, negative disclosure, and evaluative disclosure have significant effects on impression formation. Results also suggest that number of words per turn, number of questions, and evaluative disclosure are emergent in the discourse, and naturally equalize between partners. No gender differences were detected. These findings suggest a new methodology for examining online interaction and concomitant impression formation. Suggestions are made for how this new methodology might be incorporated into autonomous conversational systems.