Title

Power Talk: Communication Styles, Vocalization Rates and Dominance

Abstract

Humans are social beings that form hierarchies to gain and maintain resources. Dominant positions are often obtained through resource control strategies, displayed through language. Language can be examined in a number of ways including number of vocalizations and pragmatic skills. The benefit of pragmatic skills, in relationship to popularity (group dominance), can be explained by virtue signalling and the sociometer theory. The current study examined the relationship of individuals in a novel group setting. Results revealed that popularity within the group was related to the number of vocalizations and increased pragmatic skills. Taken together, it appears that vocalizations and pragmatic skills may help individuals signal their position within the hierarchy, while monitoring the social communications of others.

Department(s)

Psychology

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-018-9592-5

Keywords

Popularity, Pragmatic skills, Vocalizations

Publication Date

2-15-2019

Journal Title

Journal of Psycholinguistic Research

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