Gesture signs in social interaction: how group size influences gesture communication

This thesis explores the effects of group size on gesture communication. Signs in general change, in the kind of information they convey and the way in which they do so, and changes depend on interactive communication. For instance, speech is like dialogue in smaller groups but like monologue in larger groups. It was predicted that gestures would be influenced in a similar way by group size. In line with predictions, communication in groups of 5 was like dialogue whereas in groups of 8 it was like monologue. This was evident from the types of gesture that occurred with more beat and deictic gestures being produced in groups of 5. Iconic gesture production was comparable across group size but as predicted gestures were more complex in groups of 8. This was also the case for social gestures. Findings fit with dialogue models of communication and in particular the Alignment Model. Also in line with this model, group members aligned on gesture production and form.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

PhD

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Glasgow

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Macleod, Tracy

• BF Psychology

Language dc:language

en