International Microanalysis Associates
The International Microanalysis Associates are a group of researchers and practitioners in Canada, the U.S., and Sweden, all experts in microanalysis of face-to-face dialogue (MFD), which is the systematic, moment-by-moment examination of specific observable behaviors in face-to-face dialogue, focusing on their immediate communicative functions.
MFD is a tool for making the details of communication visible in any setting where dialogue is the primary medium, including psychotherapy, medicine and other health-care professions, mediation, supervision, etc.
In addition to doing our own research and training, we teach MFD in formats from one- or two-day workshops to a 16-week online course. These offerings are unique in several respects:
Our group began in 2007 as the Victoria Microanalysis Associates (Dr. Janet Bavelas, Dr. Jennifer Gerwing, Sara Healing, and Christine Tomori) in Victoria, BC. In 2015, we expanded to include our American and Swedish collaborators (Dr. Peter De Jong, Dr. Harry Korman, and Dr. Sara Smock Jordan) and became the International Microanalysis Associates. See our bios under "Who we are” and some publications under "Research and Publications."
MFD is a tool for making the details of communication visible in any setting where dialogue is the primary medium, including psychotherapy, medicine and other health-care professions, mediation, supervision, etc.
In addition to doing our own research and training, we teach MFD in formats from one- or two-day workshops to a 16-week online course. These offerings are unique in several respects:
- The approach to communication is derived from and supported by almost three decades of solid experimental lab research. The principles are evidence-based and often quite different from most applied communication courses.
- For example, we focus on communication in dialogue as co-constructive, rather than emphasizing individual skills, and we emphasize multi-modal communication rather than a separate "body language."
- The approach is descriptive rather than prescriptive; that is, the research studies are discovering how people naturally and skillfully co-construct their dialogues. The courses offer insights into how they do this (rather than assuming that the course participants need to learn how to communicate).
- The learning is hands-on and interactive. Participants often learn to use software that facilitates analyzing digitized video. In addition, there are demonstrations, video examples, interactive discussions, and frequent practice within small groups or as individuals.
Our group began in 2007 as the Victoria Microanalysis Associates (Dr. Janet Bavelas, Dr. Jennifer Gerwing, Sara Healing, and Christine Tomori) in Victoria, BC. In 2015, we expanded to include our American and Swedish collaborators (Dr. Peter De Jong, Dr. Harry Korman, and Dr. Sara Smock Jordan) and became the International Microanalysis Associates. See our bios under "Who we are” and some publications under "Research and Publications."