What Your Choice of Words Says about Your Personality | Scientific American

Description

A language analysis program reveals personality, mental health and intent by counting and categorizing words.

No one doubts that the words we write or speak are an expression of our inner thoughts and personalities. But beyond the meaningful content of language, a wealth of unique insights into an author’s mind are hidden in the style of a text—in such elements as how often certain words and word categories are used, regardless of context.

It is how an author expresses his or her thoughts that reveals character, asserts social psychologist James W. Pennebaker of the University of Texas at Austin. When people try to present themselves a certain way, they tend to select what they think are appropriate nouns and verbs, but they are unlikely to control their use of articles and pronouns.

Original URL

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=you-are-what-you-say

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