Development of a microcomputer system for verbal interaction analysis

Verbal interaction analysis has been demonstrated to be a valuable procedure for research on temporal, noncontent variables in dyadic interviews. Temporal variables include durations of utterance, reaction time latency, initiative time latency, and overlap, which are recorded for both parties in the interview. Instruments for the measurement of these variables have been both complex and expensive. An Apple II microcomputer is programmed to record the four temporal variables in verbal interaction analysis, providing a portable, less expensive, and convenient instrument.