Communication length as an index of communicator attitude: A replication

Abstract

Attempted a replication of a study by A. Mehrabian (see 40:2) who extended studies of speech behavior to apply to letters of recommendation. 69 undergraduates were asked to write 2 letters, both positive. For the 1st letter they were asked to assume strong liking for the person they were describing; for the 2nd letter they were to assume strong dislike for the person being described. Mehrabian's Ss wrote significantly more words in the 1st letters. The replication fully confirms his results. These findings suggest that the written channel of communication may be as sensitive a mirror of S's underlying attitudinal state as earlier research had revealed was the case with the spoken channel of communication. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)