What is it about?
When people talk to each other, they can predict what their partner will say. We found that this prediction not only helps them understand faster, but also makes both interlocutors respond more quickly. Surprisingly, this prediction effect only appeared in real conversations, not when people were processing language alone. This shows that our brains treats language differently in dialogue than in isolation.
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Why is it important?
While most studies of language focus on individuals, real-life communication happens in dialogue. This work is important because it investigates language in such more interactive context and demonstrates fundamental differences in how we process language compared to the dominant individualistic research tradition. Therefore, this work calls for a paradigm shift in how we should study language and communication.
Perspectives
This study was exciting for us because it uncovered results we did not expect. We simply wanted to investigate whether prediction emerges simultaneously in both partners during a conversation, as predicted by dialogue models, but did not expect to find that prediction of meaning is in fact different when interacting with others compared to using language in isolation. Stumbling upon unexpected, but surprising and important results is one of the great joys of doing science, and this study was certainly such an experience.
Kristof Strijkers
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Predicting meaning in the dyad., Journal of Experimental Psychology General, September 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/xge0001828.
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