"I Said What?" Partner Familiarity, Resistance, and the Accuracy of Conversational Recall

Authors: Samp, Jennifer; Humphreys, Laura

Source: Communication Monographs, Volume 74, Number 4, December 2007 , pp. 561-581(21)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

We examined the influence of two structural parameters on the content and valence of conversational recall. 144 females had two conversations defined by relationship type (close friend or stranger) and partner resistance (resistance or none). Conversational recall statements were coded for accuracy of content (self, partner, or neutral) and valence (positive, negative, or neutral). Overall, respondents were less accurate in recalling the content of stranger conversations than friend exchanges, and when partners were agreeable compared to resistant. However, those who experienced little partner resistance more accurately recalled positively valenced information than respondents who encountered resistance. When partners resisted, friend interactions were recalled less accurately in terms of positivity, but more accurately for negative information, compared to the recall of stranger conversations.

Keywords: Conversational Memory; Recall; Relationships; Interaction

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03637750701716610

Publication date: 2007-12-01