Explores inconsistent findings in earlier brainstorming research. Indicates that variation in the number of high and low apprehensive communicators assigned to a brainstorming group affects member productivity, perceptions of status differentiation, and satisfaction with the group. Supports the conclusion that communication predispositions and…

Investigates how communication predispositions promote or detract from individual students' motivation relative to their collaborative learning (CL) groups. Finds distinctive patterns of emergent motivation for students in each of the four optimal challenge categories for each of the CL learning modalities. Discusses instructional implications.…

Research has shown that communication apprehension (CA) has an impact on academic achievement over and beyond intelligence, type of performance-oriented class, language proficiency, and amount of verbal activity. A study explored the idea that this relationship is context-based by examining the impact of CA in the generalized contexts of small…

Analyzes the performance of individuals in real brainstorming groups in an attempt to determine the relationship between individual ideational output, perceptions of status within the group, and communication apprehension. (JMF)

Reports on the development of a systematic means of identifying, addressing, and assessing students' group skills. Describes a two-year research project that identified students' perceptions of their weaknesses when working in groups. Describes specific ways those weaknesses were addressed with only modest adjustments to the business communication…

A study explored the potential relationships between communication-relevant personal characteristics (listening ability, tolerance of ambiguity, interpersonal needs, and communication apprehension) and small group leadership. Thirty college students enrolled in a small group communication course completed a battery of instruments measuring each…

Engineering students at Oklahoma State University used an experiential process (the ACME Basket Exercise) to develop an understanding of how quality and productivity can be improved. The exercise simulates a traditional production organization in the classroom and mirrors the efforts, the successes, and the frustrations of individuals and work…

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) communication style in initial meetings of small groups; (2) gender orientation, communicative competency, and communication satisfaction in acquaintance dyads; (3) attitudinal,…