Hierarchical models are utilized in a wide variety of problems which are characterized by task hierarchies, where predictions on smaller subtasks are useful for trying to predict a final task. Typically, neural networks are first trained for the subtasks, and the predictions of these networks are subsequently used as additional features when training a model and doing inference for a final task. In this work, we focus on improving learning for such hierarchical models and demonstrate our method on the task of speaker trait prediction. Speaker trait prediction aims to computationally identify which personality traits a speaker might be perceived to have, and has been of great interest to both the Artificial Intelligence and Social Science communities. Persuasiveness prediction in particular has been of interest, as persuasive speakers have a large amount of influence on our thoughts, opinions and beliefs. In this work, we examine how leveraging the relationship between related speaker traits in a hierarchical structure can help improve our ability to predict how persuasive a speaker is. We present a novel algorithm that allows us to backpropagate through this hierarchy. This hierarchical model achieves a 25 relative error reduction in classification accuracy over current state-of-the art methods on the publicly available POM dataset.
* Contents * Acknowledgments * Introduction: Persuasion * Part One: Against Rhetoric *1. The Rhetoric against Rhetoric: Hobbes *2. Persuading without Convincing: Rousseau *3. The Sovereignty of Scholars: Kant * Part Two: For Rhetoric *4. Drawing upon Judgment: Aristotle *5. Conviction and Controversy: Cicero *6. Persuasion and Deliberation * Notes * Bibliography * Index Based on careful study of the Greek text and informed by the best modern scholarship, the second edition of this highly acclaimed translation offers the most faithful English version ever published of On Rhetoric. Updated in light of recent scholarship, the new edition features a revised introduction-with two new sections-and revised appendices that provide new and additional supplementary texts (relevant ancient works).  Three experiments correlated judgments made from observing single channels (face, body, or speech) with multiple channel judgments (face, body, and speech together; or face and speech together). Judges observed the spontaneous behavior of videotaped student nurses in 2 types of interview situations, "deceptive" and "honest," and rated the nurses on 14 bipolar adjective scales (e.g., awkward–natural). The single channel judgments that correlated most highly with the multiple channel judgments depended on the type of attribute being judged and the situation in which the behavior occurred (e.g., in the deception condition, judgments made from speech had the highest correlation with whole-person judgments). (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) This study examined the relationships among nonverbal behaviors, dimensions of source credibility, and speaker persuasiveness in a public speaking context. Relevant nonverbal literature was organized according to a Brunswikian lens model. Nonverbal behavioral composites, grouped according to their likely proximal percepts, were hypothesized to significantly affect both credibility and persuasiveness. A sample of 60 speakers gave videotaped speeches that were judged on credibility and persuasiveness by classmates. Pairs of trained raters coded 22 vocalic, kinesic, and proxemic nonverbal behaviors evidenced in the tapes. Results confirmed numerous associations between nonverbal behaviors and attributions of credibility and persuasiveness. Greater perceived competence and composure were associated with greater vocal and facial pleasantness, with greater facial expressiveness contributing to competence perceptions. Greater sociability was associated with more kinesic proxemic immediacy, dominance, and relaxation and with vocal pleasantness. Most of these same cues also enhanced character judgments. No cues were related to dynamism judgments. Greater perceived persuasiveness correlated with greater vocal pleasantness (especially fluency and pitch variety), kinesic proxemic immediacy, facial expressiveness, and kinesic relaxation (especially high random movement but little tension). All five dimensions of credibility related to persuasiveness. Advantages of analyzing nonverbal cues according to proximal percepts are discussed. 