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Language Use in Group Discourse and Its Relationship to Group Processes

Authors :
Lyn M. Van Swol
Paul Hangsan Ahn
Andrew Prahl
Zhenxing Gong
Source :
SAGE Open, Vol 11 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
SAGE Publishing, 2021.

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between language use and perception of group processes. In an experiment, participants discussed their views about climate change in a group chat. Afterward, participants ( n = 239) filled out their perception of themselves and group processes. Participants who perceived more similarity among group members used less complex language (cognitive processes language) and more assenting language. As participants felt more knowledgeable and credible about the topic, their use of “we” pronouns and word count increased and use of “I” pronouns decreased. Replicating past research, participants with more extreme opinions used more “you” pronouns, and participants who reported engaging in more perspective-taking used more complex language and “we” pronouns. Results are integrated within an input–process–output model of group processes and suggest that language is reflective of individual inputs and perception of group processes.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
21582440
Volume :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
SAGE Open
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.1a0acf05548b4d72af8e667e9c4ec088
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211001852