Abstract
A theoretical framework was employed to examine the goal detection process in the interactions of close-friend and unacquainted dyads wherein one conversationalist (pursuer) sought a goal unbeknownst to the other (detector). The extent to which the pursuer’s goal was cognitively associated with the relational type of the dyad was manipulated. The pursuer’s level of efficiency in reaching their goal was assessed from the videotaped interactions. In an anticipated three-way interaction, efficiency, relational type, and relationship-goal linkages interacted to determine the accuracy of detectors’ goal inference. In line with hypotheses, efficiency was unrelated to accuracy when the pursuer’s goal was strongly associated with the relational type (e.g., a pursuer seeking an avoid-awkwardness goal in an unacquainted dyad); yet, efficiency was correlated with accuracy when the pursuer’s goal was not strongly linked to the relational type (e.g., a pursuer attempting to avoid-awkwardness in a close-friends dyad). Results regarding the onset latency and certainty of goal inferences, however, did not generally support hypotheses.
Users
Please
log in to take part in the discussion (add own reviews or comments).