This dissertation explores how participants express and interpret verbal cues of interaction involvement in dyadic conversations via text-based Instant Messaging (IM). Moreover, it seeks to discover differences in the way American participants and Chinese participants use verbal cues when they are highly, or lowly involved. Based on previous…

Inadequacies of previous theoretical formulations of the concept of empathy are discussed. A comprehensive theory of empathy which considers the role of various cognitive, affective and social factors is postulated. (BD)

Offers support for the idea that dissonance is aroused only if the consequences of a discrepant action are known in advance and responsibility freely assumed. Graphs, tables, and bibliography. (RW)

This study examines the relationship between covert decisions by teachers and classroom behavior. The decisions of 12 classroom teachers were analyzed through stimulated recall and content analysis techniques. Results indicate that there is a clear and powerful relationship between thought and action. A majority of covert decisions led to…

Attempts to demonstrate how recipient design can structure an interaction. Choices of words and phrases, intonation, and the larger structure of the discourse itself are all made with a greater or lesser awareness of others' reactions. Evidence of how recipient design is at the service of altercasting is found in shared knowledge, agreement, and…

The relationship between the encoder and the decoder in the communication of nonverbal behavior provides the basis for the two studies described in this report. The first study investigated the ability of parents to decode the nonverbal behavior of their own and other children. Parents were asked to identify children's mode of encoding (natural or…

This study was undertaken in an attempt to determine if the traits of flexibility, openness, and sensitivity found in high school teachers would be associated with higher levels of satisfaction among students in general and among minority students in particular. Thirty-nine teachers and 953 students served as subjects in the study. Three measures…

Studies intercultural communication in a Buddhist monastic university in India. Oral communication involves an ensemble of speakers and hearers; an interpersonal relationship that underlies the motivation and effort among speakers and hearers is required for true dialog. Understanding meanings is sometimes subordinate to interactional…

In developmental research, the family has mainly been studied through dyadic interaction. Three-way interactions have received less attention, partly because of their complexity. This difficulty may be overcome by distinguishing between four hierarchically embedded functions in three-way interactions: (1) participation (inclusion of all…

A comparison of several major learning taxonomies produced a three dimensional taxonomy of learner involvement on the mental, social, and physical dimensions. The six hierarchical levels of the mental dimension--recording, reacting, interpreting, analyzing, evaluating and applying, and synthesizing--indicate a synthesis of cognitive, affective,…

Discusses interviews of third- and sixth-grade students and their teachers regarding their perceptions of what makes a student a successful responder in classroom interaction. Findings reveal that students designated by their teachers as "effective responders" could articulate behavioral and content features of effect response, whereas…

The Anthropology Curriculum Study Project (ACSP) has developed a research model which is to be used to provide data for effective implementation of the ACSP course, "Patterns in Human History". The common "means-ends" model for research, which relies on one-way effects, is described and rejected in favor of an interactive,…

This paper abstracts more than thirty sources selected for their usefulness in providing contexts and specific illustrations for understanding observation and analysis. Some Reasons for Classroom Observation and Analysis, includes seven selections that deal with factors related to the rationale for observing and analyzing classroom behavior.…

The main objective of this study was to develop a category system to analyze or evaluate issue-centered classroom discussion (teaching-learning processes, cognitive and affective classroom interaction, verbal transactions (communication patterns), and, achievement of behavioral objectives). Behaviors investigated were: the extent of Michigan…

This study was an investigation of the socio-psychological or affective "side effects" of social issues instruction. Specific student behaviors and responses were measured and evaluated. First, student evaluations of teachers and classes (appreciation, perceived value, and logical benefits in critical thinking) were measured. Secondly,…