Shared Talking Styles - Essay Example

The article entitled “Shared Talking Styles Herald New and Lasting Romance” written by Bower (2010) proffered issues that indicate that the use of words in a conversation between partners measures or gauges their compatibility.
The information and details contained in the article were based on research studies conducted by “graduate student Molly Ireland and psychologist James Pennebaker, both of the University of Texas at Austin” (Bower, 2010, p. 1). Their finding indicates that language-style matching indicates the ability of partners to sustain or end relationships through the use of function words, described as “pronouns, articles, conjunctions, prepositions, and negations” (Bower, 2010, p. 1). The more sync functions words are used by partners, the more their relationships are sustained; the lesser the match, the greater the indication of a waning relationship. I agree with the results of the research that language style matching is an indication of people liking each other through the same manner of speech, the same words chosen for conversation, and the same level of conversational competencies. However, in addition to the function words that were indicated, I believe that the similarity in background or experiences contributes to the similarity in words or topics for everyday conversations.

Again, I agree because this close friend of mine had been sharing life’s experiences and the joys and trials of life for a long time now.
However, I also believe that the accuracy of the results of the website is subject to the amount of data provided. As explicitly warned on the website, the language style matching program is still in the experimental stage and thereby the accuracy of the results is subject to some factors (such as minimum words provided, the level of parallelism literary elements in written discourse, and the use of abstracted words, among others) which could generate a relatively low score.
Therefore, I do not believe that language style matching is a thorough way to predict the quality of interpersonal relationships. It is an important factor but not a complete one. Some relationships remain strong with few words spoken or with the use of nonverbal modes of communication. Other factors need to be incorporated to measure the quality of interpersonal relationships such as quality time spent together, actions that manifest commitment more than words, and other endearing experiences shared that make the bonds stronger over time.

Apart from defining the kind and quality of person one is, LSM also assists in determining compatibility with others through the level of synchronism manifested therein. Read More