Science Advances· 2026Q1
Pink noise in dyads’ semantic similarity trajectories predicts conversation enjoyment
- 1citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Pink noise in semantic similarity trajectories predicts higher conversation enjoyment, suggesting successful adaptation in conversations is not about perfect alignment but a dynamic interplay.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Conversations are modeled as complex dynamical systems, not linear processes.
- Pink noise in semantic similarity trajectories predicts positive conversation outcomes.
- The strength of pink noise increases with conversational practice.
- Large language models can identify pink noise as a marker of conversation quality.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Conversation is a core component of human social life. Many influential theories treat conversation as a linear system, i.e., the sum of its parts. However, linear accounts of semantic entrainment lose explanatory power at their upper limits: discussing perfectly aligned opinions becomes boring. We propose an alternate account that treats conversation as a complex dynamical system. In such systems, pink noise is a hallmark of successful mutual adaptation. Here, we test whether pink noise can be found in interlocutors’ co-navigated trajectories through semantic space. Not only is pink noise present, but its strength predicts positive conversation outcomes, increases with practice, and is reflected in a large language model’s representation of conversation quality. These results demonstrate an important role for mutual adaptation in promoting successful conversation.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Science Advances, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Language and Linguistics
Language and LinguisticsArts and Humanities