Linguistic Harbingers of Betrayal: A Case Study on an Online Strategy Game

TL;DR

This study identifies linguistic cues in online game interactions that predict relationship betrayal, revealing subtle conversational shifts that precede friendship dissolution.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of linguistic patterns predicting betrayal in online interactions, highlighting subtle language cues as early indicators.

Findings

Imminent betrayal is signaled by changes in sentiment, politeness, and future planning language.

Lasting friendships maintain conversational balance, while betrayal shows imbalance.

Linguistic cues can predict betrayal even before awareness by the involved parties.

Abstract

Interpersonal relations are fickle, with close friendships often dissolving into enmity. In this work, we explore linguistic cues that presage such transitions by studying dyadic interactions in an online strategy game where players form alliances and break those alliances through betrayal. We characterize friendships that are unlikely to last and examine temporal patterns that foretell betrayal. We reveal that subtle signs of imminent betrayal are encoded in the conversational patterns of the dyad, even if the victim is not aware of the relationship's fate. In particular, we find that lasting friendships exhibit a form of balance that manifests itself through language. In contrast, sudden changes in the balance of certain conversational attributes---such as positive sentiment, politeness, or focus on future planning---signal impending betrayal.