This project constitutes an attempt to reconcile individual production and perception of linguistic form with the social function of language use in conversation. In addition to furthering knowledge about communication, a more complete understanding of social factors in communication can inform the treatment of disrupted language processes, whether one is concerned with diagnosis and/or treatment of communicative disorders or clinician-patient interaction. The proposed research will examine the influence of factors such as social role and community membership on comprehension and convergence in normal conversational interactions. The research design includes the use of recordings of conversational speech in order to assess convergence in different social settings. Participants will be asked to complete conversational tasks with varying social role assignments. Differences in comprehension and convergence depending on the role of a participant in a task can elucidate the relative influence of psycholinguistic and social factors in both effective and deficient communication. Because communication is essential to all human interaction, such an understanding has the potential to improve quality of life in many ways.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32MH064995-02
Application #
6626088
Study Section
Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes 3 (BBBP)
Program Officer
Desmond, Nancy L
Project Start
2002-03-09
Project End
Budget Start
2003-03-09
Budget End
2004-03-08
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$46,420
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Psychology
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
049179401
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027