What does communication accommodation theory primarily examine?

Communication accommodation theory primarily examines the shift in communication styles between speakers. This theory posits that individuals adjust their speech patterns, tone, and body language in response to their interaction partners. The adjustments can be aimed at either reducing social distance or enhancing interpersonal connection, which can lead to convergence or divergence in communication styles.

Convergence occurs when one speaker adopts the linguistic traits of another, often to show empathy or solidarity. Conversely, divergence may happen when a speaker emphasizes their differences, sometimes to maintain identity or power. This dynamic reflects the way people navigate social contexts through their communication, adapting their style to foster understanding or to highlight distinctions.

The other choices focus on different aspects of communication: the consistency of styles across cultures, the effectiveness of multilingual messaging, or ethical considerations in communication, which are not the central focus of communication accommodation theory.