What Everyday Words Say About Us (Part 3 of 6)

I, me, we, us, you, she, he and him…What does your use of pronouns reveal? In this 2012 talk for the Mind Science Foundation, Jamie Pennebaker reveals research findings from the last decade that explore how people use pronouns and other almost-invisible words in an attempt to link them to basic social and psychological states.

A number of surprising findings have emerged that indicate that the ways people use these words can reveal deception, emotional state, intentions to behave aggressively, intellectual performance, and even successful dates and marriages.

Jamie Pennebaker is an internationally recognized social psychologist who’s endlessly curious about human nature. He is Regents Centennial Liberal Arts Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. He’s a member of the Academy of Distinguished Teachers and a consultant to businesses, medical schools, and various federal agencies that address corporate and national security issues.