Language Style Matching Predicts Relationship Initiation and Stability
Top Cited Papers
- 13 December 2010
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Psychological Science
- Vol. 22 (1), 39-44
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610392928
Abstract
Previous relationship research has largely ignored the importance of similarity in how people talk with one another. Using natural language samples, we investigated whether similarity in dyads’ use of function words, called language style matching (LSM), predicts outcomes for romantic relationships. In Study 1, greater LSM in transcripts of 40 speed dates predicted increased likelihood of mutual romantic interest (odds ratio = 3.05). Overall, 33.3% of pairs with LSM above the median mutually desired future contact, compared with 9.1% of pairs with LSM at or below the median. In Study 2, LSM in 86 couples’ instant messages positively predicted relationship stability at a 3-month follow-up (odds ratio = 1.95). Specifically, 76.7% of couples with LSM greater than the median were still dating at the follow-up, compared with 53.5% of couples with LSM at or below the median. LSM appears to reflect implicit interpersonal processes central to romantic relationships.Keywords
This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- We can work it out: Age differences in relational pronouns, physiology, and behavior in marital conflict.Psychology and Aging, 2009
- Am “I” more important than “we”? Couples’ word use in instant messagesPersonal Relationships, 2008
- Personality Trait Similarity Between Spouses in Four CulturesJournal of Personality, 2008
- Mimicking Attractive Opposite-Sex Others: The Role of Romantic Relationship StatusPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2008
- The Art of Conversation Is CoordinationPsychological Science, 2007
- Winning words: Individual differences in linguistic style among U.S. presidential and vice presidential candidatesJournal of Research in Personality, 2007
- How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the WordsPsychological Science, 2006
- Perceptual fluency and lexical access for function versus content wordsBehavioral and Brain Sciences, 2004
- Linguistic Style Matching in Social InteractionJournal of Language and Social Psychology, 2002
- Representations and Processes in the Production of Pronouns: Some Perspectives from DutchJournal of Memory and Language, 1999