This paper contains a discussion concerning some of the variables which threaten external validity and inferences about communicative behavior made by researchers and teachers. Communication researchers have begun to explore potentially artifactual sources of variance in judgments of evaluations of communicative behavior. Some studies have shown…

Various definitions of shyness are suggested that denote shyness as overt bits of behavior, an intervening variable, and an experimental state. Describes a definition of shyness in global and specific forms, and constructs a theory of the causation, modifiability, and prevention of shyness. (Author)

Analyzed limitations of empirical research models in terms of ability to reflect an interactional perspective on suicidal behavior. A new research model was developed. Findings indicated such real-life behaviors cannot be understood by recourse to individual differences variables alone or environmental variables alone. (Author/BEF)

This paper describes the self-evaluation maintenance model (SEM) which suggests that much social behavior can be understood by assuming that persons are motivated to maintain a positive self-evaluation. The two processes by which one's social circumstances may affect self-evaluation, i.e., reflection and comparison, are described. The relationship…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 12 titles deal with the following topics: (1) the relational nature of humor, (2) pragmatism and transaction, (3) within-channel redundancy versus between-channel redundancy in instructional material and its association with…