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Language Use and Susceptibility in Online Conversation

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Intelligent Computing (SAI 2022)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 507))

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Abstract

Prior study indicates that persuasion attempts in small and private online communications can be very influential. Yet, most existing online persuasion studies focus on large-scale and open online discussions. In this study, we investigated whether and how one’s language use indicates their susceptibility to persuasion in one-to-one synchronous online text-based chats. We analyzed 815 one-to-one online discussions by 321 pairs. Our results show that discussions in which one or both participants change their views tend to have more positive emotions, more affective processes, and more impersonal pronouns. Additionally, individuals who did not change their minds tend to focus more on problem solving whereas those who changed their minds focus more on the relationship building. Our findings imply the potential of using surface level linguistic features in predicting the persuasion outcome in a one-to-one online discussion, shedding light on the development of persuasive dialogue system which is on the rise.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA

    Lu Xiao, Qiyi Wu, Sucheta Soundarajan & Jinfen Li

Authors
  1. Lu Xiao
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  2. Qiyi Wu
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  3. Sucheta Soundarajan
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  4. Jinfen Li
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lu Xiao .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Saga University, Saga, Japan

    Kohei Arai

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Xiao, L., Wu, Q., Soundarajan, S., Li, J. (2022). Language Use and Susceptibility in Online Conversation. In: Arai, K. (eds) Intelligent Computing. SAI 2022. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 507. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10464-0_54

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