Interactive processes in video-mediated referential communication

Abstract

This study examined interactive processes that occurred in video-mediated referential communication task. Pairs of participants were assigned to one of four conditions; in a room with partition, or in separate rooms linked by telephone with three levels of noise interference (none, low, and high). In all conditions, a video-monitor link allowed the participants to see the upper body of their partner. Analyses of gestural and visual interaction revealed that participants in partition and no-interference conditions did not rely on the visual channel, while those in the others frequently looked at the monitor. Furthermore, gestural references appeared especially in high-noise condition. Qualitative analyses of conversations showed that participants in high-noise condition relied more on demonstrative references, and used more metaphoric expressions of a whole referent, based on the common ground shared by the pair. These results are discussed in terms of how people collaboratively interact and construct a shared context for communication between them.