Accommodation Theory Research Articles

The Applicability of Communication Accommodation Theory and Empathy Strategy in Speeches ——A Case Study from Remarks by Ambassador Cui Tiankai in 2018

This paper is mainly based on the topic of whether the theory of Communication Accommodation (CAT) is applicable in speeches and how the Empathy strategy is applied in speeches. A case study from a speech by Ambassador Cui Tiankai at the Welcome Dinner Hosted by Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin is analyzed as a sample of intercultural communication practice. The research analyzes and explores the origin of the CAT and its related theories as well as elaborates on similarity-attraction theory, social exchange theory, causal attribution, social identity theory and some major strategies such as convergence, divergence and over-convergence for the purpose of the applicability of CAT in speeches. What is more, empathy as an important strategy is illustrated in detail. After a careful analysis, it has been proved that it is effective and practical for the application of CAT in speeches. Furthermore, the application of Empathy strategy in speeches will create a rewarding outcome.

CAT in the classroom: A multilevel analysis of students’ experiences with instructor nonaccommodation

ABSTRACT This study incorporates communication accommodation theory to investigate how student perceptions of instructor nonaccommodation influence affective and cognitive classroom outcomes. A series of two-level hierarchical linear models (students nested within instructors) revealed significant, negative associations between specific modes of instructor nonaccommodation (i.e., nonaccommodation related to nonverbal responsiveness, content knowledge, and student support) and students’ reported outcomes. Specifically, nonaccommodation related to nonverbal responsiveness and student support resulted in less communication satisfaction and instructor–student rapport when controlling for student sex and expected grade in a course. Contrarily, only nonaccommodation related to content knowledge predicted processing fluency. The research provides instructional communication researchers with a unique theoretical framework for conceptualizing and assessing student perceptions while also raising important questions regarding how students prioritize effective teaching behaviors in context. Practical implications are provided for how instructors better assess and enact behavior relative to individual student needs.

Comparison of nanofluid wetting characteristics in untreated and superhydrophilic microgrooved heat pipes

The thermal performance of the microgrooved heat pipes is mainly restricted by the wick capillary limit. The construction of micro-nano structures and using nanofluids are effective ways to improve the microgroove wetting characteristic and heat transfer ability. Based on the accommodation theory, a model for nanofluid wetting characteristics in the microgrooved heat pipe was presented in this paper. The axial wetting ability of SiO2 nanofluid in untreated rectangular microgrooves (RMs) and rectangular microgrooves with superhydrophilic nano-textured surfaces (RMSNSs) were compared. The results indicate that the total wetting length (Lt) of SiO2 nanofluids in RMSNSs was remarkably longer than that in RMs. For RMs, the wetting length in the corner flow region (Lc) could nearly be ignored. However, Lc of RMSNSs increased significantly being about 35% of Lt. When the nanoparticle size rose from 15 to 50 nm, Lt of RMSNSs increased by about 13% but that of RMs decreased slightly. When the heat flux increased from 0 to 120 kW/m2, Lt of RMSNSs and RMs dropped by about 72.6% and 69.5% respectively due to the liquid evaporation. Also, the microgroove depth and width had remarkable effects on the wetting length and the optimal depth to width ratio was about 2:1.

About me but without me? Older adult's perspectives on interpersonal communication during care transitions from hospital to seniors' residence

BackgroundTransitions in care can be stressful for an older adult. While communication protocols between health care professionals during transitions have been thoroughly studied, there is a need to better understand how older adults transitioning perceive interpersonal communication. Relying on Communication Accommodation Theory, the goal of this study is to explore Canadian older adults' perspectives of interpersonal communication during care transition from acute care in a hospital to a residence and assess if and how communication could improve health and well-being. Using a longitudinal exploratory design, 13 older adults (MAge = 84 years) transitioning from acute hospital care to a residence were interviewed at three time points: (1) in the hospital, (2) upon arriving at the residence and (3) in the residence, 2–3 months later. A total of 30 interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Five main themes emerged from participants' descriptions of their transition and communication with health care professionals: (1) Interpersonal Communication or Information, (2) Gratefulness & Burden, (3) Acceptance & Resilience, (4) Maintaining Autonomy and (5), Level of satisfaction. Most participants described being informed rather than being an active participant during the transition process. Most also accepted the transition and tried to reduce the burden on family notably by finding ways to maintain autonomy. A major finding of this study is the lack of interpersonal communication taking place during the transition process, which increased older adults' feeling of uncertainty about the future. Many were unclear on why this move was taking place and where they were going. Providing a space for older adults to communicate their perspectives could attenuate the negative outcomes stemming from stressful care transitions.

Language Choices and its Effect in a Culturally Diversified Nigeria Business Places: Adopting Giles’ Communication Accommodation Theory

The research aims at investigating inclusion strategies in Nigeria business places by taking a look at the way buyers and sellers use language while engaging in business transactions and the effect it has in the whole dealings. This is especially as they have diverse choices before them. Giles’ Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) which addresses convergence and divergence is used as a theoretical framework to reveal the socio-pragmatic elements in the discourse of a multi-cultural Nigeria business places. The research tries to see how inclusiveness is achieved in the face of diversity. Findings reveal that several languages come in contact with one another, including English, Yoruba, Pidgin, Igbo and Hausa in the market transactions in Nigeria. Participants employ various bargaining and pragmatic strategies which include greetings, humour, cajoling, flattery, pleading as well as code-switching and code-mixing. The study helps to establish that both buyers and sellers want to be at an advantage and use languages that accommodate the other party, despite their social, religious, cultural or ethnic differences. Texts were recorded from business places in Nigeria and these include banks, urban markets, and communication outlets. The texts were later transcribed and analysed. While the vendors create room for accommodation as a persuasive strategy, customers do so to get a good bargain for what they want to buy or some other favour from the vendors.

Language barriers in healthcare delivery

The relevance of language for quality healthcare delivery cannot be overemphasised. Within the framework of communication accommodation theory, this paper discusses language barriers in expatriate doctor–patient communication in three state-owned hospitals in Ghana, and the strategies employed by the medical personnel to bridge communication gaps. The study design is qualitative and the data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 16 expatriate doctors, three nurses and three patients. Furthermore, observation of five patient–doctor interactions was undertaken and notes taken. Both datasets were then analysed using the qualitative conventional content analysis approach. The findings revealed that the expatriate doctors employed convergence strategies such as ad hoc interpreters, gestures, picture charts and electronic dictionaries to deal with language barriers. The study is expected to stimulate further research into innovative ways of dealing with language barriers in expatriate doctor–patient interactions.

The Types of Communication Accommodation Strategies in English as Foreign Language (EFL) Classrooms

English is one of international language which is taught widely in various countries in the world. Entering millennial and industrial 4.0 era, English has important role as the function of English is as a tool or media to communicate with other countries and it is also as language of science, technology, social-economy, culture, and art. Communication Accommodation Theory which consists of communication accommodation strategies are very important to accommodate the students in teaching learning activity. This research aimed at analyses types of communication accommodation strategies are used by teacher when teaching Basic English and the motive of implementing communication accommodation strategies by the teacher Classroom Interactions. Subjects of this research were two the English teachers. This research was designed in qualitative research. The data were collected through voice recorder, interview and documentation. The data were analyzed qualitatively. The results of this study revealed that there were four strategies used in teaching learning process by the teacher such as approximation, interpretability, discourse management and emotional expression. Moreover, the teachers had some main motive to apply these strategies such as to make the students understand, give clear explanation to students and get the students’ attention.

The Effects of Linguistic Behavior in Online Health Communities on Compliance

This study examines how linguistic behavior (i.e., the communication style of two or more participants in online discourse) can affect compliance in the context of online health communities (OHC). Building on communication accommodation theory (CAT), we propose hypotheses of how convergent and divergent communication styles affect the behavior of opioid addicts. To assess the linguistic behavior between conversation participants, we situate our study in a unique online environment on Reddit where a large group of people is dedicated to helping each other address the addition problem. Constructing a panel dataset of posts of self-identified opioid addicts in the OHC, we estimate a fixed-effects model to assess the causal impact of linguistic behavior. To address endogeneity concerns associated with omitted variable bias and self-selection, we use a combination of identification methods based on two-stage least squares (2SLS) and coarsened exact matching (CEM). To validate our hypotheses, we conduct a randomized experiment (ongoing work). Our empirical results support our hypotheses indicating a positive effect of convergent and a negative effect of divergent communication styles on compliance. The results of the study contribute to literature on OHC, advance understanding of the role of CAT, and also provide practical recommendations to health and business practitioners.

Code-Switching in Spoken Indian English: A Case Study of Sociopolitical Talk

In India, the prevalence of (Indian) English and code-switching between languages is not new. However, there has been a dearth of research that explores code-switching in Indian English (IE) within the genre of sociopolitical talk in Indian English tv talk shows. The current study is a part of a larger longitudinal study that analyzes code-switching patterns across the previous decade in Indian English tv talk shows and is the first in the series of follow-up studies. This study qualitatively examines an episode of an Indian English tv talk show to determine code-switching (CS) patterns and functions in IE. The study employed linguistic analysis, Meyerhoff’s (2007) accommodation theory, Sacks, Schegloff, and Jeferrson’s (1974) conversation analysis methodology, and a world Englishes framework to discover the forms, functions, and motivations of CS in an English matrix context. Findings confirm Si’s (2010) results that speakers preferred higher number of English alternations and insertions than Hindi code-switches, while Hindi-only turns were relatively few. Functions of analyzed code-switches also indicated intentions to reformulate, repeat, quote, connect with or diverge from other interlocutors, and generate emphasis in discourse. The study concludes with implications for Indian English and avenues for future research.

Managing patient aggression in healthcare: Initial testing of a communication accommodation theory intervention

Abstract Patient-perpetrated workplace violence (WPV) in healthcare is common. Although communication skills trainings are helpful, they may be strengthened by having a theoretical framework to improve replicability across contexts. This study developed and conducted an initial test of a training framed by Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) using longitudinal mixed-methods surveys of healthcare professionals in an American primary care clinic to increase their self-efficacy, patient cooperation, and use of CAT strategies to de-escalate patient aggression. Results of the intervention indicate that the CAT training significantly increased professionals’ efficacy and reported patient cooperation over time. Findings showed that those who reported using more of the five CAT strategies also reported situations that they were able to de-escalate effectively. This initial test of a CAT training to prevent WPV demonstrates promise for the applicability of CAT strategies to de-escalate patient aggression, and the need to scale and test these trainings in settings that experience high WPV levels.

Diachronic Change of Title in New Media Platform from the Perspective of Speech Accommodation Theory

Speech Accommodation Theory, as a social psychological model of studying linguistic variation, has proposed by Howard Giles and his associates. Speech strategies in this theory consists of two components, namely, speech convergence and speech divergence. This study, as an empirical research, focuses on the diachronic change of title in new media platform. The results can be concluded as follows. First, the style of title in new media platform obeys the rules of upward convergence, especially when reader-preferences change rapidly. Second, readers’ language patterns do affectlanguage habits of new media, and administrators choose upward convergence strategies as feedbacks. Third, the convergenceis asymmetrical, with new media platforms struggle to adapt to readers language patterns whilereadersmaintain their language habits.

Linguistic diversity and doctoral assessment: exploring examiner treatment of candidate language

ABSTRACT Overseas students who have learned English as a second or foreign language (L2) form a prominent subgroup of research students in Australian universities. However, there is a paucity of research exploring the linguistic experiences of this population in connection with thesis examination and in comparison with first language users of English (L1). Drawing on a two-phase design, we utilised an archived corpus of de-identified PhD examiner reports (n = 2117) that incorporated demographic data on candidate language background to determine if there were significant differences in examiner emphasis between L1 and L2 English speakers in three Broad Fields of Study (BFOS): Health; Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS); Science and Engineering. We found some significant differences in content emphases in examiner comments between L1 and L2 candidates by BFOS but no significant differences in examiner recommendation or committee decision between these groups. This suggested examiners were accommodating language differences. To explore this more closely, we identified 27 reports where examiners had surmised an L2 background and examined these informed by Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT). The case analyses confirmed that rather than rejecting or responding negatively to non-standard language, overall, examiners were accommodating of unconventional style (where meaning is not impaired) taking considerable effort to instruct the candidate in instances where intelligibility was obstructed. The findings are particularly apposite in light of widening postgraduate participation by students from linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Communication accommodation within global virtual team: The influence of cultural intelligence and the impact on interpersonal process effectiveness

Abstract The study builds on existing literature on global virtual team (GVT) and focuses on how individual members can achieve higher levels of interpersonal process effectiveness. Anchoring on the theory of intelligence, this study establishes and examines cultural intelligence (CQ) and how it can relate and influence a GVT member's interpersonal process effectiveness. Furthermore, this study extends the literature by drawing from communication accommodation theory in examining how communication accommodation plays an important role in the effective functioning of a GVT member. To test these assertions, data were collected from members of GVTs and their colleagues (n = 262 paired data) in a multinational information technology offshoring firm. Data were analyzed and the results revealed that a GVT member's CQ relates positively and significantly to effectiveness on both interpersonal processes of synergy and direction. Furthermore, results showed that communication accommodation of a GVT member is influenced by CQ which consequently impacts both effectiveness on interpersonal processes of synergy and direction. These results contribute to the growing literature on GVT and offer new practical insights on how to improve overall efficiency and work performance within GVT.

Interactional Adjustment: Three Approaches in Language and Social Psychology

Interactional adjustment refers to people’s tendency to adjust, or adapt, their communication behavior in social interactions. In recent years, three distinctive approaches to this topic that have featured prominently in the Journal of Language and Social Psychology are communication accommodation theory (CAT), language style matching (LSM), and discursive psychology using conversation analysis (DPCA). In this article, we provide a review of these three approaches, highlighting what defines and distinguishes them, as well as what insights into interactional adjustment each offers. We draw out the connections and points of tensions between these approaches; in so doing, we identify future directions for research on interactional adjustment as a fundamental aspect of human communication, and in the study of language and social psychology.

Why to speak French to French speakers? Outgroup vitality, motivation and linguistic accommodation in the Aosta Valley

Abstract Using a communication accommodation theory framework, the purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between perceived French vitality, cognitive and affective motivations for convergence, French skills, and convergence to French speakers among a group of young Italian speakers in the Aosta-Valley, Italy. Questionnaire data were collected among secondary school students in the city of Aosta (N = 169). The findings indicated that perceived French vitality resulted in greater cognitive motivation for speaking French, which, in turn, led to an increased use of French with French speakers. Additionally, and contrary to expectations, cognitive motivation had a greater impact on actual language use among those who reported poor French skills than among those reporting good French skills. At the same time, and also contrary to expectations, affective motivation did not predict language choice. Findings and implications are discussed in relation the bilingual accommodation.

Accommodation and nonaccommodation as predictors of instrumental caregiving intentions and expectations in grandparent-grandchild relationships

This dyadic study examined how grandparents’ and grandchildren’s perceptions of receiving accommodation, overaccommodation, and underaccommodation were indirectly associated with grandchildren’s intentions to provide instrumental care and grandparents’ expectations that they would receive instrumental care, via both parties’ communication satisfaction. For grandchildren, a series of indirect associations emerged: Grandchildren’s perceptions of receiving accommodation positively predicted grandchildren’s communication satisfaction; grandchildren’s perceptions of receiving overaccommodation and underaccommodation negatively predicted grandchildren’s communication satisfaction. Grandchildren’s communication satisfaction then positively predicted grandchildren’s intentions to provide instrumental care. In contrast, no indirect associations emerged involving the grandparent versions of the variables. Rather, for grandparents, a direct association was observed: Grandparents’ perceptions of receiving accommodation directly and positively predicted grandparents’ expectations to receive instrumental care. This discrepancy in results (indirect associations for grandchildren, a direct association for grandparents) is discussed in terms of the mediating mechanism phase of communication accommodation theory scholarship.

THE PRAGMATIC USE OF VERISIMILITUDE IN SELECTED INTERACTIONS BETWEEN TERMINALLY-ILL PATIENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS

Concealment, an act of intentionally withholding information for some purposes, is considered to be often employed by caregivers to veil the terminal status of the patients. This paper therefore investigates the pragmatics of concealment in interactions between terminally-ill patients and their caregivers as it relates to psychotherapeutic process; thereby complementing existing studies which have largely captured attitudes, strategies and structures of such discourses. Seven interactions, capturing cancer, heart disease and kidney failure, were collected through tape-recording and participants’ observation at University College Hospital, Ibadan, between February and August, 2016. These were transcribed and analysed using convergence aspect of Gile’s Communication Accommodation Theory. Findings show that concealment in this discourse pragmatically configures psychotherapeutic context which bifurcates into palliative psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy. Palliative psychotherapy, through shared situational knowledge and mutual contextual belief, raises hope of recovery and dislodges fear of death. Cognitive-behavioural therapy, through shared cultural knowledge, facilitates compliance and support in the healing process. The aforementioned findings resonate that the use of concealment in therapeutic discourse psychologically changes the underlying thoughts that contribute to mental depression and modifies the problematic behaviours that result from these thoughts

Investigating language barriers in psychiatric care in Ghana

ABSTRACT Background: In psychiatric care, doctors depend on information from interactions with patients to arrive at the right diagnosis and appropriate therapy (Brisset C, Leanza Y, Rosenberg E, Vissandjée B, Kirmayer LJ, Muckle G, et al. language barriers in mental health care: a survey of primary care practitioners. J Immigr Minor Health. 2014;16(6):1238–46). This is a qualitative descriptive study which seeks to investigate language barriers faced by psychiatrists in their interactions with patients and the effectiveness of the strategies which are employed to deal with the barriers. Methods: Research questions are informed by Convergence (Giles H. Communication Accommodation Theory. In: Baxter LA, Braithewaite DO, editors. Engaging theories in interpersonal communication: multiple perspectives. Thousand Oaks ( CA): Sage Publications; 2008. p. 161–73). Using semi-structured interviews, psychiatric doctors from the three state-owned psychiatric hospitals in Ghana report their experiences with convergence strategies they use, and offer suggestions that could inform future studies and policy formulation with regard to psychiatric care in Ghana. A qualitative conventional content analysis was applied whereby coding categories were derived straight from the text data. Results: The literature suggests that the study is novel with reference to Ghana. Similar studies (Lee E. Cross-cultural communication: therapeutic use of interpreters in mental health for professionals and clinicians. In: Lee E, editor. Working with Asian Americans: a guide for clinicians. New York (NY): The Guilford Press; 1997; Swartz L, Drennan G. Beyond Words: notes on the ‘irrelevance’ of language to mental health services in South Africa. Transcult Psychiatry. 2000;37(2):185–201; Jarvis GE, Ahmed R, Ryder A, Kirmayer LJ. Assessing language barriers to mental health services in a multiethnic population: preliminary findings. Presentation at Health care Access for Linguistic Minorities: Breaking the Barriers. Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 2014) corroborate this paper’s findings that language barriers have the potential of causing misdiagnoses if psychiatrists do not employ effective communication strategies. Conclusions: The paper recommends areas for further research and improvement measures which carry policy implications.

How Do Patients Define Satisfaction? The Role of Patient Perceptions of Their Participation and Health Provider Emotional Expression

ABSTRACT Patient satisfaction is important to patient outcomes. Previous attempts to conceptualize satisfaction have often taken an atheoretical approach and focused on doctors’ communication skills. Patients are becoming more active health consumers involved in their health care and current definitions of patient satisfaction may not accurately reflect patient expectations about their health consultations. Earlier research found that meeting patients’ emotional needs – through empathy and patient-centered communication – is important to patient satisfaction. New research is needed to explore how those needs can be met given the changing trend in patient behaviors and the focus on patient-centredness. This study employed two communication theories – the Willingness to Communicate Model and Communication Accommodation Theory – to consider both patients’ communicative decisions, and the intergroup features of the health context that can influence communicative behaviors. Two hundred and fifty-three patients from health clinics in Canada and Australia described what satisfaction meant to them, and identified what aspects of their health consultation were satisfying (or not), and we investigated their perceptions of doctor’s emotional expression. Results suggest that patient perceptions of their participation in the consultation predicts their perceptions of doctor emotional expression, and their satisfaction with the consultation. Patients want both emotional and medical needs met in an environment that balances interpersonal and intergroup communication. Our findings suggest the need to expand current definitions of patient satisfaction, patient-centredness and emotional expression. We discuss the implications of these findings for health practitioners and consider future research that addresses the need for more individualized health care.

KONJO-BUGINESE LANGUAGE ACCOMMODATION IN INTERACTION WITH THE IMMIGRANTS IN WEST SINJAI

This study aimed to identify the use of Konjo-Buginese language in West Sinjai, Sinjai Regency and the Konjo-Buginese language accommodation in interacting with the immigrants. This study employed the ethnography theory by Dell Hymes. The data were gathered using in-depth interview, observation, and documentation and analyzed using the communication accommodation theory by Howard Giles. The results showed that Konjo-Buginese language used in West Sinjai was adopted mostly from the Konjo Mountains language and the accommodation took the form of convergence. The divergent speech behavior was only performed by the elderly people and those who do not speak Indonesian.