Linguistic Tools To Measure Source Motivation And Intent

This project explores the identification and verbal/behavioural quantification of motives and processes involved in the disclosure of sensitive information.

Much of the current literature regarding individuals’ motivations for disclosure focusses on self-disclosure, for example, in an online context. This project seeks to understand the individual traits, linguistic tendencies and motivating factors involved in individuals’ willingness to disclose information about someone they know.

The ultimate aim of the project is to better understand who is likely to disclose information about other people. This aim will be explored by answering some fundamental questions about disclosure more generally, including:

  1. What are the core inter- and intra-personal states that motivate disclosure?
  2. What are the key traits of an individual who discloses?
  3. What is the relationship between #1 and #2 (i.e., state–trait interactions)?
  4. Are there reliable language correlates of #1-#3?

These questions will be answered in relation to real-world disclosure, involving both examinations of real-life historic disclosure events and the disclosure of information in real-time. To this end, the project will utilise digitally mediated language use, namely crowd-sourced narratives and instant messaging conversations, in pursuit of its objectives.

This project has no available outputs yet.
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