Social Desirability as Related to Convergence of Temporal Speech Patterns

Studies have suggested that the degree of “matching” or convergence of paralinguistic behavior in dyadic communication is related to various personality variables. This investigation sought to determine the relationship between the degree of noncontent temporal speech convergence and the individual's measured social desirability. Ss were 8 male dyads and 5 female dyads who were volunteers from an introductory psychology course. Social desirability was measured by the Marlowe-Crowne scale; the classifications of temporal speech parameters were vocalizations, pauses, and switching pauses. A multiple regression analysis supports the proposition that individuals with high social desirability converge more in their duration of switching pauses than individuals with low social desirability.