Abstract
Face-To-Face Dialogue: Theory, Research, and Applications by Bavelas explores the distinctive aspects of face-to-face dialogue compared to other forms of language use, such as writing, lecturing, monologues, and mediated communication. The book presents a series of pioneering investigations that establish face-to-face dialogue as the prototypical form of language use. By employing high-quality natural data and empirical studies, Bavelas successfully integrates theories and experiments, reshaping the field of language and human communication. This book will greatly appeal to researchers in pragmatics, psycholinguistics, as well as practitioners in various dialogue-related domains, including computer-mediated communication, medical consultation, and psychotherapy.
The book consists of 12 chapters that provide an overview of the development of face-to-face dialogue research. In Chapter 1, Bavelas discusses the unique features of face-to-face dialogue, accompanied by a transcript of the Burning Pillow Story to illustrate these features. The advantages of face-to-face dialogue, such as reciprocity and multimodality, are also explored. The remaining chapters are divided into three parts.
The first part (Chapter 2–4) focuses on Bavelas’ new contributions to the study of dialogue. Chapter 2 emphasizes the importance of interactions between speakers in conversations, rather than individual contributions. Chapter 3 distinguishes co-speech gestures from other forms of nonverbal communication. Chapter 4 provides criteria for selecting experimental methodologies.
The second part (Chapters 5–9) forms the empirical core of the book, presenting Bavelas’ empirical studies on face-to-face dialogue. Chapter 5 examines the micro-processes of dialogue, demonstrating how interlocutors discuss, hypothesize, and reach agreements on ambiguous material. Chapter 6 presents empirical evidence linking engagement in dialogue with the use of co-speech gestures. Further empirical research explores the social functions of co-speech gestures, including hand gestures in Chapter 7 and facial gestures in Chapter 8. Building upon the previous studies, Chapter 9 presents a three-step model for calibrating mutual understanding between speakers and addressees.
The final part (Chapters 10–12) explores practical applications of face-to-face dialogue research. For example, Chapters 10 and 11 discuss dialogue in computer-mediated communication, communication with autistic infants, medical consultations, and psychotherapy. In Chapter 12, the book summarizes its findings and underscores its significance in advancing our understanding of face-to-face dialogue.
The highlight of Face-To-Face Dialogue: Theory, Research, and Applications is the author’s remarkable long-term research program, spanning from her early work in 1967 to this most recent volume. By focusing on the uniqueness of face-to-face dialogue, Bavelas inspires and encourages scholars to follow in her footsteps and make further breakthroughs. Moreover, the book contributes significantly to the reorientation of language and communication studies. Bavelas examines the purpose of communicative acts, considers visible behavior as an integral part of spoken language, and proposes an insightful view of communication as joint action, which has far-reaching implications for theories of language and communication.
Another strength of the book is its theoretical guidance for researchers conducting empirical studies and practitioners working in different conversational settings. Bavelas provides a methodology that researchers can adopt in their own research, complementing her face-to-face dialogue theory. For practitioners, the book offers alternative approaches to traditional problem-focused therapy, such as solution-focused brief therapy, which can enhance the effectiveness of face-to-face dialogue in therapeutic contexts.
The book is well-organized, with an easy-to-read layout and the use of analogies to clarify complex concepts. For instance, Bavelas uses the analogy of counting squares and circles in an image to illustrate the difference between nonverbal communication and co-speech gestures. This approach engages readers’ interest and facilitates their understanding of crucial ideas.
However, it is important to note that Bavelas’ calibrating model is somewhat simplistic. While she describes it as a three-step process (A-initiation, B-response, and C-follow-up), it may be challenging to identify these specific steps in actual face-to-face dialogues. Additionally, the model’s testing primarily relies on get-acquainted conversations with few constraints, overlooking other types of conversations such as close-call or bad roommate stories. Therefore, the current results may not encompass the full range of phenomena present in face-to-face dialogue.
To further enhance the book’s value for researchers and practitioners, more specific information about the experimental procedures and essential elements in empirical studies should be included. Bavelas briefly mentions experiment design but fails to provide detailed explanations regarding participant selection, tasks, and experimental procedures. Furthermore, while the book presents some descriptive data to support the findings on face-to-face dialogue, it would benefit from incorporating additional data and stronger empirical evidence, similar to the approach taken by Bohus and Rudnicky (2008). The inclusion of more robust empirical studies and data would strengthen the hypotheses put forth in the book, enhancing the overall validity and reliability of the findings. By following the example set by Dan and Alexander, the book can further reinforce its arguments and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of face-to-face dialogue. The presentation of paradigms and methodologies should also include information about the criteria and measurements used in the experiments to ensure the validity and reliability of the findings. Additionally, as a suggested reading for researchers, the book could benefit from highlighting future directions in face-to-face dialogue research, guiding readers towards specific areas for deeper investigation.
In conclusion, Face-To-Face Dialogue: Theory, Research, and Applications is an invaluable academic resource for researchers and practitioners alike. It offers groundbreaking research on face-to-face dialogue, encompassing theoretical foundations, empirical studies, and practical applications. The book serves as a comprehensive reference, providing researchers with a clear framework and methodology for conducting empirical studies. For practitioners, it offers theoretical guidance to enhance their conversational interactions with clients.