Measuring patterns in team interaction sequences using a discrete recurrence approach.
OBJECTIVE
Recurrence-based measures of communication determinism and pattern information are described and validated using previously collected team interaction data.


BACKGROUND
Team coordination dynamics has revealed that"mixing" team membership can lead to flexible interaction processes, but keeping a team "intact" can lead to rigid interaction processes. We hypothesized that communication of intact teams would have greater determinism and higher pattern information compared to that of mixed teams.


METHODS
Determinism and pattern information were measured from three-person Uninhabited Air Vehicle team communication sequences over a series of 40-minute missions. Because team members communicated using push-to-talk buttons, communication sequences were automatically generated during each mission.


RESULTS
The Composition x Mission determinism effect was significant. Intact teams' determinism increased over missions, whereas mixed teams' determinism did not change. Intact teams had significantly higher maximum pattern information than mixed teams.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from these new communication analysis methods converge with content-based methods and support our hypotheses.


CONCLUSIONS
Because they are not content based, and because they are automatic and fast, these new methods may be amenable to real-time communication pattern analysis.
Psychology Department, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA. jamie.gorman@ttu.edu
Jamie C
JC
Gorman
Nancy J
NJ
Cooke
Polemnia G
PG
Amazeen
Shannon
S
Fouse
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D012107:Research Design; D055815:Young Adult