Compulsive talking

Compulsive talking (also known as talkaholism) goes beyond the bounds of what is considered to be a socially acceptable amount of talking.[1] The two main factors in determining if someone is a compulsive talker are talking in a continuous manner, only stopping when the other person starts talking, and others perceiving their talking as a problem. Personality traits that have been positively linked to this compulsion include assertiveness, willingness to communicate, self-perceived communication competence, and neuroticism.[2] Studies have shown that most people who are talkaholics are aware of the amount of talking they do, are unable to stop, and do not see it as a problem.[3]

Characteristics

It has been suggested, through research done by Dr. James C. McCroskey and Dr. Virginia P. Richmond, that United States society finds talkativeness attractive.[4] It is something which is rewarded and positively correlated with leadership and influence.[1] However, those who compulsively talk are not to be confused with those who are simply highly verbal and vary their quantity of talk. Compulsive talkers are those who are highly verbal in a manner that varies greatly from the norm and is not in the person’s best interest.[2] Those who have been characterized as compulsive talkers talk with a greater frequency, dominate conversations, and are less inhibited than others.[1] They have also been found to be more argumentative and have a positive attitude regarding communication.[1] Tendencies towards compulsive talking also are more frequently seen in the personality structure of neurotic psychotic extraverts.[5] It has also been found that talkaholics are never behaviorally shy.[4]

Talkaholic scale

In 1993 James C. McCroskey and Virginia P. Richmond constructed the Talkaholic Scale, a Likert-type model, to help identify those who are compulsive talkers. A score of 40 or above, which indicates two standard deviations above the norm, would signal someone to be a true talkaholic.[2]

Cultural similarities

A study done in 1995 of 811 university students in the United States found 5.2% of that population had results indicating they were talkaholics. A similar study from the same year with students from New Zealand found similar results, with 4.7% scoring above 40.[6]

Consequences and management

Compulsive talking can drive people away, which in turn can leave that person with no social support.[7] Interrupting, another act that is associated with talkaholics, can signal to other people a lack of respect.[7]

According to Elizabeth Wagele, an author of best-selling books on personality types, there are different ways to handle compulsive talkers. Such coping techniques include changing the focus of the conversation, taking attention away from the talkaholic, leaving the conversation, and creating a distraction.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bostrom, Robert N.; Grant Harrington, Nancy (1999). "An Exploratory Investigation Of Characteristics Of Compulsive Talkers". Communication Education 48 (1): 73–80. doi:10.1080/03634529909379154.
  2. 1 2 3 McCroskey, James C.; Richmond, Virginia P. (1993). "Identifying Compulsive Communicators: The Talkaholic Scale". Communication Research Reports 10 (2): 107–114. doi:10.1080/08824099309359924.
  3. ↑ Walther, Joseph B. (Aug 1999). "Communication Addiction Disorder: Concern over Media, Behavior and Effects". Psych Central. Retrieved 21 Oct 2012.
  4. 1 2 McCroskey, James C.; Richmond, Virginia P. (1995). "Correlates of Compulsive Communication: Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics". Communican Quarterly 43 (1): 39. doi:10.1080/01463379509369954.
  5. ↑ McCroskey, James C.; Heisel, Alan D.; Richmond, Virginia P. (2001). "Eysenck's BIG THREE And Communication Traits: Three Correlational Studies". Communication Monographs 68 (4): 360. doi:10.1080/03637750128068.
  6. ↑ Hackman, Michael Z.; Barthel-Hackman, Tam; Johnson, Craig E. (1995). "Correlates Of Talkaholism In New Zealand: An Intracultural Analysis Of The Compulsive Communication Construct". Communication Research Reports 12 (1): 5360.
  7. 1 2 Chillot, Rick (1997). "Do you talk too much?". Prevention. 49.10: 118.
  8. ↑ Wagele, Elizabeth (21 Dec 2010). "The Career Within You. Nine Ways to Cope with Talkaholics.". Sussex Publishers. Retrieved 21 Oct 2012.

Further reading

Books

Academic articles

External links

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