Analyzing social relations using Chat-data elements. What can be deduced from non-verbal chat communication?

1. Analyzing social relations using Chat-data
elements
What can be deduced from non-verbal chat communication?
Martin Wolpers
Sarah León Rojas
Uwe Kirschenmann
© Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik FIT

2. Approach
 Chat-Data from Instant Messenger clients
 Strength of social relations manifests
itself in communication
 Focus on non-verbal communication, here
emoticons, among others
 Method for analysing data: Tie-Strength by
Mark Granovetter
© Skype
 Evaluation in small groups through
questionnaires
© Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik FIT

3. Properties of non-verbal communication with chat
 No visual channel.
 Emoticons are used to express feelings, gestures, facial expression.
 Time-based signals: Frequency and breaks.
 Loudness/shouting: capitals, exclamation mark.
 Accentuation: different font, (double) quotes.
© Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik FIT

4. Tie Strength by Mark Granovetter
 Tie = relation between two persons
 Weak ties, e.g. facebook friends
 Used to share information and Work
ideas
 Strong ties, e.g. among family
members or best friends, returning
customers
 Actively sharing the same
experience
 Indicators Family
 Intensity, Intimacy, Duration,
Multiplexity, Mutuality, Trust,
Actuality
© Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik FIT

5. Mapping Tie-Strength indicators to chat
TS Indicator Chat-Parameter
chat item count
Frequency
word count per chat item
duration of calls and chat
Jointly spent time
sessions
Emotional intensity emoticon-quote
communication during
Intimacy
spare time
Actuality last interaction
word reciprocity
Mutuality
emoticon reciprocity
© Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik FIT

6. Correlation with perceived tie-strength
Questionnaire
(Person)
Software
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7. Conclusion
 Identification of some indicators for Tie-Strength measurement in chat
systems
 Towards the automatic analysis of strength of human relations (in
communities) and beyond
 Support for reflection on communication processes
© Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik FIT

8. Thanks!
Fraunhofer Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik FIT
Martin Wolpers (martin.wolpers@fit.fraunhofer.de)
Sarah León Rojas
Uwe Kirschenmann
Schloss Birlinghoven
53754 Sankt Augustin
© Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik FIT