Understanding interactive graphical communication

Abstract

We demonstrate several parallels between interactive verbal communication and graphical communication. Experiment 1 shows that through interaction partners’ graphical representations converge, and are refined, although degree of refinement is dictated by level of interaction. Experiment 2 shows that through interaction graphical representations lose their iconicity, taking on a more symbolic form. Again, this is dictated by the closeness of the interaction. Results are discussed both in terms of the evolution of writing systems and applications that support interactive graphical communication.