Encoding Accuracy in Interpersonal Relationships : A New Measure of Encoding Ability

Graduation date: 2017The ability to accurately convey an intended nonverbal emotional message is critical for competent interpersonal functioning. To examine encoding ability, a replication of Noller’s (1980) study employing content standard methodology was conducted. This method is essentially an acting task where participants are given a hypothetical social scene within which they are asked to deliver a short verbal statement to communicate one of three different possible emotional messages. Whereas Noller studied marital communications, we extended her method to study communication ability of acquainted and unacquainted undergraduates. Many of her results were replicated, indicating that these processes are not restricted within single relationships, but may affect every social interaction