Scientific Foundations

The psychological theories behind the lenses

Each lens in Saytrue is based on an established scientific theory. This page explains the theoretical foundations and shows how they are implemented in the app. Saytrue describes language and suggests phrasings; it does not diagnose.

Emotion Analysis

Based on Robert Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions (1980) and James A. Russell's Circumplex Model (1980). Plutchik describes 8 basic feelings in 4 pairs of opposites. Russell arranges feelings by how pleasant they are and how strongly they stir you up.

In Saytrue: Free and Pro. The emotion is estimated from voice and text and combined; for typed text from the text only. It serves as context, without rephrasing.

References

  • Plutchik, R. (1980). Emotion: A psychoevolutionary synthesis. Harper & Row.
  • Russell, J. A. (1980). A circumplex model of affect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39(6), 1161–1178.

Tone Analysis

Analyzes the linguistic register across five dimensions: formality, closeness, directness, energy and mood.

In Saytrue: Free and Pro. With Suggest, Saytrue rephrases the text more warmly (“Warmer phrasing”).

Argument Analysis

Based on classical and informal logic. Detects 16 kinds of fallacies, such as attacks on the person, straw man arguments or false either-or choices.

In Saytrue: Pro. Names detected fallacies with an explanation. With Suggest, a version “Without insinuation”.

References

  • Walton, D. (2008). Informal Logic: A Pragmatic Approach. Cambridge University Press.

Nonviolent Communication

Developed by Marshall B. Rosenberg. NVC structures communication into four steps: Observations (without evaluation), Feelings, Needs, and concrete Requests.

In Saytrue: Pro. Shows observations, feelings, needs and requests in the text. With Suggest, a version “Observation, not judgment”.

References

  • Rosenberg, M. B. (2003). Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. PuddleDancer Press.

Cognitive Distortions

Based on Aaron T. Beck's cognitive therapy. Detects 7 typical thought patterns such as catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking and overgeneralizing, and suggests a more balanced view.

In Saytrue: Pro. Names thought patterns with a quote and an explanation. With Suggest, a version “Specific, not sweeping”.

References

  • Beck, A. T. (1979). Cognitive Therapy of Depression. Guilford Press.
  • Burns, D. D. (1980). Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy. Morrow.

Four-Sides Model

The communication model by Friedemann Schulz von Thun (1981) distinguishes four message levels: Factual content, Self-revelation, Relationship, and Appeal.

In Saytrue: Pro. Shows the factual content, self-revelation, relationship and appeal of a message. With Suggest, a version “With a clear request”.

References

  • Schulz von Thun, F. (1981). Miteinander reden: Störungen und Klärungen. Rowohlt.

Transactional Analysis

Developed by Eric Berne. Analyzes ego states (Parent, Adult, Child) and transaction types (complementary, crossed, covert).

In Saytrue: Pro. Assigns the message to an ego state. With Suggest, an “Adult-to-adult” version from the Adult ego state.

References

  • Berne, E. (1964). Games People Play. Grove Press.
  • Berne, E. (1961). Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy. Grove Press.

Topic Classification

Assigns content to seven areas: work and career, health, relationships, finances, personal development, creativity and hobbies, and other.

In Saytrue: Free and Pro. Assigns the text to one of seven areas, without rephrasing.

Appraisal Analysis

Based on the appraisal theory by Richard Lazarus and Klaus Scherer. Evaluates novelty, relevance, coping potential and norm compatibility of a situation.

In Saytrue: Pro. Shows how the situation in the text is appraised. With Suggest, a version “With what matters to you”.

References

  • Lazarus, R. S. (1991). Emotion and Adaptation. Oxford University Press.
  • Scherer, K. R. (2001). Appraisal considered as a process of multilevel sequential checking. In K. R. Scherer, A. Schorr & T. Johnstone (Eds.), Appraisal Processes in Emotion. Oxford University Press.

Regulatory Focus

Based on E. Tory Higgins' Regulatory Focus Theory (1997). Distinguishes between promotion focus (striving for gains) and prevention focus (avoiding losses).

In Saytrue: Pro. Shows whether the text leans towards gains or towards avoiding losses. With Suggest, a “Focused on the goal” version.

References

  • Higgins, E. T. (1997). Beyond pleasure and pain. American Psychologist, 52(12), 1280–1300.