Paralanguage hierarchies in dyads and triads: Talking first and talking the most

This research explored the phenomena of speaking-order and talking-time structures in dyads and triads. Specifically of concern was whether these modes of paralanguage were hierarchial and whether they were used consistently from one setting to another. Split-screen video recordings were made of subjects, who were strangers but of the same sex, race and approximately the same age. All the possible dyadic combinations of three persons (3) were recorded in this manner. They were then videotaped interacting in a triad setting with the same people with whom they had been in the dyad setting. The findings indicate that paralanguage hierarchies do emerge in dyads and triads and that the speaking-order and talking-time ranks correlated well between the dyad and triad.