How Conversations Change Over Time in Face-to-Face and Video-Mediated Communication

• Published in: Small group research Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 355 - 381
• Main Authors: van der Kleij, Rick, Maarten Schraagen, Jan, Werkhoven, Peter, De Dreu, Carsten K. W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.08.2009; Sage Publications; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Computer Mediated Communication; Conversation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Group Dynamics; Interpersonal communication; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Social interactions. Communication. Group processes; Social psychology; Task Performance; Telecommunications; Video teleconferencing; team adaptation; communication patterns; video teleconferencing; longitudinal experiment; virtual teams; geographical distribution; Human; Social group; Conversation; Experimental study; Computer mediated communication; Language; Social interaction; Videocommunication; Adaptation
• ISSN: 1046-4964; 1552-8278
• DOI: 10.1177/1046496409333724

An experiment was conducted to examine how communication patterns and task performance differ as a function of the group's communication environment and how these processes change over time. In a longitudinal design, three-person groups had to select and argue the correct answer out of a set of three alternatives for ten questions. Compared with face-to-face groups, video-teleconferencing groups took fewer turns, required more time for turns, and interrupted each other less. Listeners appeared to be more polite, waiting for a speaker to finish before making their conversational contribution. Although groups were able to maintain comparable performance scores across communication conditions, initial differences between conditions in communication patterns disappeared over time, indicating that the video-teleconferencing groups adapted to the newness and limitations of their communication environment. Moreover, because of increased experience with the task and the group, groups in both conditions needed less conversation to complete the task at later rounds. Implications are discussed for practice, training, and possibilities for future research.