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Investigating verbal and nonverbal indicators of physiological response during second language interaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 August 2021

Rachael Lindberg Open the ORCID record for Rachael Lindberg [Opens in a new window] ,
Kim McDonough Open the ORCID record for Kim McDonough [Opens in a new window]  and
Pavel Trofimovich Open the ORCID record for Pavel Trofimovich [Opens in a new window]
Rachael Lindberg*
Affiliation:
Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Kim McDonough
Affiliation:
Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Pavel Trofimovich
Affiliation:
Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Second language (L2) researchers have long acknowledged that affective variables (e.g., anxiety, motivation, positive emotions) are essential in understanding L2 learner psychology and behavior, both of which influence communication and have implications for language learning. However, there is little research investigating affective variables during L2 interaction, particularly from a dynamic rather than a static, trait-oriented perspective. Therefore, this study examined 60 L2 English speakers’ affective responses in real time during a paired discussion task using galvanic skin response sensors to capture speakers’ anxiety. Analyses focused on speakers’ speech, their behavioral reactions, and the content of their discussion while experiencing anxiety episodes (high vs. low arousals). Findings revealed that speakers glanced away, blinked, and used self-adaption gestures (touching face, hair-twisting) significantly more frequently during high arousals than low arousals, whereas head nods were found to occur significantly more often during low arousals. In comparison to low arousals, a larger proportion of high arousals occurred while discussing personal topics. Implications are discussed in terms of the role of affective variables in communication processes.

Keywords

autonomic arousalskin conductancelanguage anxietyL2 English interactionnonverbal behaviors
Type
Original Article
Information
Applied Psycholinguistics , Volume 42 , Issue 6 , November 2021 , pp. 1403 - 1425
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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