System and method for computerized psychological content analysis of computer and media generated communications to produce communications management support, indications, and warnings of dangerous behavior, assessment of media images, and personnel selection support

• US 20030212546A1
• Filed: 03/24/2003
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stroz Friedberg LLC (Aon Plc (Spain))
• Original Assignee: Shaw, Stroz & Co, LLC
• Inventors: Shaw, Eric D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,346,492 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/316 by observing the pattern of computer usage, e.g. typical user behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/552 involving long-term monitoring or reporting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/279 Recognition of textual entities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/30 Semantic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/35 Discourse or dialogue representation
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/08 Speech classification or search
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 17/26 Recognition of special voice characteristics, e.g. for use in lie detectors; Recognition of animal voices

Abstract

At least one computer-mediated communication produced by or received by an author is collected and parsed to identify categories of information within it. The categories of information are processed with at least one analysis to quantify at least one type of information in each category. A first output communication is generated regarding the at least one computer-mediated communication, describing the psychological state, attitudes or characteristics of the author of the communication. A second output communication is generated when a difference between the quantification of at least one type of information for at least one category and a reference for the at least one category is detected involving a psychological state, attitude or characteristic of the author to which a responsive action should be taken. The content of the second output communication and the at least one category are programmable to define a psychological state, attitude or characteristic in response to which an action should be taken and the action that is to be taken in response.

Claims

1. A method of computer analysis of computer-mediated communications, said method comprising:

collecting at least one computer-mediated communication produced by or received by an author;

parsing the collected at least one computer-mediated communication to identify categories of information therein;

processing the categories of information with at least one analysis to quantify at least one type of information in each category;

generating a first output communication regarding the at least one computer-mediated communication describing the psychological state, attitudes or characteristics of the author of the communication;

generating a second output communication when a difference between the quantification of at least one type of information for at least one category and a reference for the at least one category is detected involving a psychological state, attitude or characteristic of the author to which a responsive action should be taken, with content of the second output communication and the at least one category being programmable to define a psychological state, attitude or characteristic in response to which an action should be taken and the action that is to be taken in response to the defined psychological state, attitude or characteristic.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

processing the categories of information with at least one analysis to quantify at least one type of information in each category comprises collecting, parsing and processing a more recent computer-mediated communication;

the reference for the at least one category is generated by collecting, parsing, and processing a plurality of computer-mediated communications generated over a period of time;

the first output communication is generated over said time period; and

the second output communication is generated when the difference between the quantification of the current computer-mediated communication for at least one category and the reference for the at least one category is detected involving a psychological state, attitude or characteristic of the author to which a responsive action should be taken.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein:

the second output communication indicates that the author should be studied.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein:

the categories of information are processed with a plurality of analyses.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

the plurality of analyses comprise a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes, or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the at least one computer-mediated communication to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

6. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein:

the at least one analysis comprises at least one of a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes, or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the at least one computer-mediated communication to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

7. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein:

the at least one computer-mediated communication is collected by an organization with which the author is affiliated; and

the second output communication is present on a system of the organization and is directed to or from the organization.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein:

each reference is set by the organization.

9. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein:

the categories of information are processed with a plurality of analyses.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

the plurality of analyses comprise a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the at least one computer-mediated communication to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

11. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein:

the at least one analysis comprises at least one of a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the computer-mediated communication related to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

12. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein:

the second output communication regards at least one of a psychological state of the author represented in the at least one computer-mediated communication and an investigation of the psychological state of the author of the at least one computer-mediated communication.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

only one computer-mediated communication is collected, parsed and processed.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein:

the second output communication pertains to a further investigation to be taken regarding the author.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein:

a plurality of analyses are used to process the categories of information.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein:

the plurality of analyses comprise a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes, or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the at least one computer-mediated communication to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

17. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein:

the at least one analysis comprises at least one of a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes the computer-mediated communication related to the psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

18. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein:

the only one computer-mediated communication is collected by an organization with which the author is affiliated; and

the second output communication is present on a system of the organization and is directed to or from the organization.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein:

each reference is set by the organization.

20. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein:

the categories of information are processed with a plurality of analyses.

21. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein:

the plurality of analyses comprise a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the at least one computer-mediated communication to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

22. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein:

the at least one analysis comprises at least one of a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the computer-mediated communication related to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

23. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein:

the only one computer-mediated communication is collected by an organization with which the author is affiliated; and

the second output communication is directed to the organization and pertains to further action to be taken regarding the author.

24. A method in accordance with claim 23 wherein:

each reference is static and is indicative that a psychological state of the author is of concern to the organization.

25. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein:

the second output communication regards at least one of a psychological state of the author represented in the at least one computer-mediated communication and an investigation of the psychological state of the author of the at least one computer-mediated communication.

26. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein:

the second output communication is used to alter the at least one computer-mediated communication.

27. A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein:

the author uses the second output communication to alter the at least one computer-mediated communication.

28. A method in accordance with claim 27 wherein:

the altering of the at least one computer-mediated communication modifies a psychological state reflected in the at least one computer-mediated communication in a manner desired by the author.

29. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the second output communication indicates that the author should be studied.

30. A method in accordance with claim 29 wherein:

the categories of information are processed with a plurality of analyses.

31. A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein:

the plurality of analyses comprise a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes, or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the at least one computer-mediated communication to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

32. A method in accordance with claim 29 wherein:

the at least one analysis comprises at least one of a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes, or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the at least one computer-mediated communication to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

33. A method in accordance with claim 29 wherein:

the at least one computer-mediated communication is collected by an organization with which the author is affiliated; and

the second output communication is present on a system of the organization and is directed to or from the organization.

34. A method in accordance with claim 33 wherein:

each reference is set by the organization.

35. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the categories of information are processed with a plurality of analyses.

36. A method in accordance with claim 35 wherein:

the plurality of analyses comprise a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the at least one computer-mediated communication to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

37. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the at least one analysis comprises at least one of a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes the computer-mediated communication related to the psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

38. A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein:

the second output communication is about the author; and

the second output communication is generated in response to processing of the reference for the at least one psychological profiling algorithm and the quantification produced by the psychological profiling algorithm.

39. A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein:

the second output communication is about the author; and

the second output communication is generated in response to processing of the reference for the at least one key word algorithm and the quantification produced by the at least one key word algorithm.

40. A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein:

the second output communication is about the author; and

the second output communication is generated in response to a comparison of the reference for the at least one message characteristic algorithm and the quantification produced by the at least one message characteristic algorithm.

41. A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein:

the at least one psychological profiling algorithm quantifies at least one of words written in bold face, words written in italics, profanity, or email symbols.

42. A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein:

the at least one psychological profiling algorithm quantifies the words, types of words, phrases, or subjects I, we, me, negatives, quantifiers, retractors, direct references, explainers, expressions of feeling, evaluators, adverbial intensifiers, rhetorical questions, interruptions, interrogatives and imperatives.

43. A method in accordance with claim 42 wherein:

the at least one psychological profiling algorithm produces an assessment of a psychological state of the author.

44. A method in accordance with claim 43 wherein:

the psychological state of the author is at least one of anger, anxiety, depression, emotional withdrawal, lack of flexibility, impulsiveness and emotional stability.

45. A method in accordance with claim 42 wherein:

the at least one psychological profiling algorithm provides an interpretation of the psychological state and/or risk of at least one of the words, types of words, phrases and subjects of the at least one computer-mediated communication.

46. A method in accordance with claim 42 wherein:

the at least one psychological profiling algorithm provides an interpretation of the psychological state and/or risk represented by at least one combination of at least one of the words, types of words, phrases or subjects of the at least one computer-mediated communication.

47. A method in accordance with claim 46 wherein:

the at least one key word algorithm provides information regarding at least one of employee attitude, actions toward individuals, at least one organization and at least one organizational interest.

48. A method in accordance with claim 42 wherein:

the characteristics include, with regard to the at least one computer-mediated communication, at least one of the number of words, the time of day written, the writing time, the number of words written per minute, the recipient, spelling errors, grammatical errors, the number of words per sentence, and the communication rate in terms of at least one of a number of computer-mediated communications per hour or day.

49. A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein:

the at least one key word algorithm quantifies phrases and/or threatening acts to identify a psychological state.

50. A method in accordance with claim 49 wherein:

the phrases and/or threatening acts involve at least one of anger, grief, threats, or accusations.

51. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the at least one computer-mediated communication is an email message.

52. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the at least one computer-mediated communication is chat from a chat room.

53. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the at least one computer-mediated communication is web site information collected from a web site.

54. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the second output communication assesses a risk posed by the author based upon the at least one computer-mediated communication.

55. A method in accordance with claim 54 wherein:

the author is affiliated with an organization; and

the second output communication pertains to a course of action to be taken by the organization which collected the at least one computer-mediated communication.

56. A method in accordance with claim 55 wherein:

the course of action is that the author be further assessed and counseled regarding the psychological state represented in the at least one computer-mediated communication.

57. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the second output communication regards at least one of a psychological state of the author represented in the at least one computer-mediated communication, and an investigation of the psychological state of the author of the at least one computer-mediated communication.

58. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the second output communication is used to alter the at least one computer-mediated communication.

59. A method in accordance with claim 58 wherein:

the author uses the second output communication to alter the at least one computer-mediated communication.

60. A method in accordance with claim 59 wherein:

the altering of the at least one computer-mediated communication modifies a psychological state reflected in the at least one computer-mediated communication in a manner desired by the author.

61. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the category involving a psychological state is a change in psychological state.

62. A method in accordance with claim 58 wherein:

the plurality of analyses comprise a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes, or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the at least one computer-mediated communication to identify a psychological state and/or at least one possible action of the author.

63. An analyzing system which provides computer analysis of computer-mediated communications, said analyzing system comprising:

a computer system having at least one processor, a database coupled to the at least one processor, and an input which collects at least one computer-mediated communication produced by or received by an author; and

a parser, executed by the at least one processor, which parses the collected at least one computer-mediated communication to identify categories of information therein, wherein;

the at least one processor performs at least one analysis of one of the categories of information to quantify at least one type of information in each analyzed category; and

the at least one processor generates an output communication when a difference between the quantification of at least one type of information for at least one category and a reference for the at least one category is detected involving a psychological state of the author to which a responsive action should be taken, with content of the second output communication and the at least one category being programmable to define a psychological state in response to which an action should be taken and the action that should be taken in response to the defined psychological state.

64. A system as recited in claim 63 wherein:

the at least one analysis is at least one algorithm.

65. A system in accordance with claim 63 wherein:

the at least one analysis comprises at least one of a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes the computer-mediated communication related to the psychological state of the author and/or at least one possible action of the author.

66. A system as recited in claim 63 wherein:

a plurality of analyses are performed;

each analysis is an algorithm; and

the plurality of analyses comprise a psychological profiling algorithm which provides an indication of a psychological state, attitudes or characteristics of the author, at least one key word algorithm which processes any phrases and/or threatening acts to further identify a psychological state of the author and how the author may react to the identified psychological state, and at least one message characteristic algorithm which analyzes characteristics of the at least one computer-mediated communication to identify a psychological state of the author and/or at least one possible action of the author.

67. A system as recited in claim 63 wherein:

the second output communication is generated by the at least one processor by a report generator program which generates a report pertaining to the author.

68. A system in accordance with claim 63 wherein:

the input is coupled to a communication system of an individual or organization with which the author is affiliated and which collects the at least one computer-mediated communication; and

the output communication is directed to the organization or individual indicating that at least one of an investigation and/or corrective action should be considered relative to the author.

69. A system in accordance with claim 63 wherein:

the second output communication is used to alter the at least one computer-mediated communication.

70. A system in accordance with claim 69 wherein:

the author uses the second output communication to alter the at least one computer-mediated communication.

71. A system in accordance with claim 70 wherein:

the altering of the at least one computer-mediated communication modifies a psychological state, attitude or characteristic reflected in the at least one computer-mediated communication in a manner desired by the author.