A test of the cognitive load hypothesis: Investigating the impact of number of nonverbal cues coded and length of coding session on observer accuracy

Alan D. Heisel; Michael J. Beatty

doi:10.1080/08934210601180739

A test of the cognitive load hypothesis: Investigating the impact of number of nonverbal cues coded and length of coding session on observer accuracy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

In their meta-analysis investigating the relationship between extraversion and nonverbal behavior La France, Heisel, and Beatty ( 2004 ) found a substantial negative correlation between effect size and sample size, which they explained using the cognitive load hypothesis. The cognitive load hypothesis predicts that increases in coding scheme complexity result in greater opportunities for observer error. To test this hypothesis, the impact of coding scheme complexity on observer error was assessed via varying the number of nonverbal cues coded and the length of observational coding session. The decision to increase the number of nonverbal cues observers coded created 26% more errors, and over time observers made 10% more errors.

Original language	American English
Journal	Communication Reports
Volume	20
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/08934210601180739
State	Published - Apr 18 2007
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Coding Scheme
Cognitive Load
Meta-analysis
Nonverbal Communication

Disciplines

Developmental Psychology
Psychology

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10.1080/08934210601180739License: Unspecified

Cite this

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title = "A test of the cognitive load hypothesis: Investigating the impact of number of nonverbal cues coded and length of coding session on observer accuracy",

abstract = " In their meta-analysis investigating the relationship between extraversion and nonverbal behavior La France, Heisel, and Beatty ( 2004 ) found a substantial negative correlation between effect size and sample size, which they explained using the cognitive load hypothesis. The cognitive load hypothesis predicts that increases in coding scheme complexity result in greater opportunities for observer error. To test this hypothesis, the impact of coding scheme complexity on observer error was assessed via varying the number of nonverbal cues coded and the length of observational coding session. The decision to increase the number of nonverbal cues observers coded created 26% more errors, and over time observers made 10% more errors. ",

keywords = "Coding Scheme, Cognitive Load, Meta-analysis, Nonverbal Communication",

author = "Heisel, {Alan D.} and Beatty, {Michael J.}",

note = "In their meta-analysis investigating the relationship between extraversion and nonverbal behavior La France, Heisel, and Beatty ( La France , B. H. , , & ( 2004 ). Is there empirical evidence for a nonverbal profile of extraversion: A meta-analysis and critique of the literature .",

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AU - Heisel, Alan D.

AU - Beatty, Michael J.

N1 - In their meta-analysis investigating the relationship between extraversion and nonverbal behavior La France, Heisel, and Beatty ( La France , B. H. , , & ( 2004 ). Is there empirical evidence for a nonverbal profile of extraversion: A meta-analysis and critique of the literature .

PY - 2007/4/18

Y1 - 2007/4/18

N2 - In their meta-analysis investigating the relationship between extraversion and nonverbal behavior La France, Heisel, and Beatty ( 2004 ) found a substantial negative correlation between effect size and sample size, which they explained using the cognitive load hypothesis. The cognitive load hypothesis predicts that increases in coding scheme complexity result in greater opportunities for observer error. To test this hypothesis, the impact of coding scheme complexity on observer error was assessed via varying the number of nonverbal cues coded and the length of observational coding session. The decision to increase the number of nonverbal cues observers coded created 26% more errors, and over time observers made 10% more errors.

AB - In their meta-analysis investigating the relationship between extraversion and nonverbal behavior La France, Heisel, and Beatty ( 2004 ) found a substantial negative correlation between effect size and sample size, which they explained using the cognitive load hypothesis. The cognitive load hypothesis predicts that increases in coding scheme complexity result in greater opportunities for observer error. To test this hypothesis, the impact of coding scheme complexity on observer error was assessed via varying the number of nonverbal cues coded and the length of observational coding session. The decision to increase the number of nonverbal cues observers coded created 26% more errors, and over time observers made 10% more errors.

KW - Coding Scheme

KW - Cognitive Load

KW - Meta-analysis

KW - Nonverbal Communication

UR - http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08934210601180739

U2 - 10.1080/08934210601180739

DO - 10.1080/08934210601180739

M3 - Article

VL - 20

JO - Communication Reports

JF - Communication Reports

ER -

A test of the cognitive load hypothesis: Investigating the impact of number of nonverbal cues coded and length of coding session on observer accuracy

Abstract

Keywords

Disciplines

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