Modern communication media allow us to exchange information with others using text, voice, and audiovisual cues. But because communication also involves maintaining social relationships that are critical for our happiness, health, and the smooth running of a business, reaching out to others requires deciding how best to do so. And in this regard, the value of voice is key. We recently conducted several experiments that suggest people undervalue the positive relational consequences of using voice relative to text alone, leading them to favor typing rather than talking—a potentially unwise preference.
Research: Type Less, Talk More
Results from several recent experiments suggest that people may undervalue the positive relational consequences of connecting with another person using one’s voice relative to text alone, leading to a potentially misplaced preference for typing to each other rather than talking. At the same time, adding video to a phone call–via a conferencing platform such as Zoom or Webex–did not increase the social connection between two people. The authors concede that communication media create tradeoffs. Text-based interactions are sometimes more efficient, simpler, and enable your recipient to respond at his or her leisure. But underestimating how connected you will feel talking to another person can leave you sending text-based messages more often than would be optimal for your own well-being.