Beyond Words: Speech Synchronization and Conversation Dynamics Linked to Personality and Appraisals

Abstract

Abstract We studied how personality differences and conversation topics predict interpersonal speech synchronization, leading/following dynamics, and nonverbal interactional dominance in dyadic conversations. 100 undergraduate students (50 same-gender dyads) had a 15-minute conversation following three topics (introduction/self-disclosure/argumentation) in our laboratory. Their speech synchronization and turn-taking (speech/silence) dynamics were assessed through nonlinear time-series analyses: Cross-Recurrence Quantification Analysis (CRQA), Diagonal Cross-Recurrence Profiles (DCRP), and Anisotropic-CRQA. From the time series, we extracted five variables to operationalize speech synchronization (global and at lag-zero), leading-following dynamics, and asymmetries in the interacting partners’ nonverbal interactional dominance. Interaction appraisals were also assessed. Associations between personality traits Extraversion/Agreeableness, speech synchronization, and nonverbal interactional dominance were tested using mixed-effects models. Speech synchronization and nonverbal interactional dominance differed across conversational topics and peaked during argumentative conversations. Extraversion was associated with increased speech synchronization, and nonverbal interactional dominance, especially during an argumentative conversation. Extraversion homogeneity was associated with more symmetry in turn-taking dynamics during a self-disclosure conversation. Speech synchronization was generally associated with positive post-conversational appraisals such as wanting to meet in the future or liking the conversation partner, especially in extroverted individuals, whereas introverts seemed to value less swift dynamics. High Agreeableness predicted less speech synchronization during argumentative conversations, and increased speech synchronization (at lag-zero) predicted reduced perceived naturality in agreeable individuals. This may suggest a trade-off between maintaining swift speech dynamics and the natural flow of conversation for individuals high in Agreeableness.