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Linguistic styles: Language use as an individual difference.
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Abstract
Can language use reflect personality style? Studies examined the reliability, factor
structure, and validity of written language using a word-based, computerized text
analysis program. Daily diaries from 15 substance abuse inpatients, daily writing
assignments from 35 students, and journal abstracts from 40 social psychologists demonstrated
good internal consistency for over 36 language dimensions. Analyses of the best 15
language dimensions from essays by 838 students yielded 4 factors that replicated
across written samples from another 381 students. Finally, linguistic profiles from
writing samples were compared with Thematic Apperception Test coding, self-reports,
and behavioral measures from 79 students and with self-reports of a 5-factor measure
and health markers from more than 1,200 students. Despite modest effect sizes, the
data suggest that linguistic style is an independent and meaningful way of exploring
personality.