Compared the linguistic complexity of juror instructions in the "federal standard instructions" and the "Texas pattern special issues." Found that the latter contained significantly fewer nominalizations, technical legal terms, and embeddings. Discusses implications of these findings on comprehension. (PD)

Compares the effectiveness of systematic desensitization (SD), rational emotive therapy (RET), and visualization (VIS) in reducing communication apprehension (CA). Concludes that, while all treatment modes reduce CA, no significant differences were found in their effectiveness. Emphasizes that VIS is a relatively simple technique that can be used…

Given that elderly adults depend more heavily on their ability to communicate as independent activity becomes more restricted, their ability to alter the supersegmental component of the message becomes crucial. A study investigated the ability of older speakers to alter their speaking rate and to determine the strategies used to accomplish rate…

Analysis reveals that the four labels do not denote four discrete problems; rather, the constructs overlap to a great extent. Author recommends systematic interviews with individuals to identify their problems and then a treatment dependent on the exact nature of the problem. (PD)

A study examined the impact of self-confrontation (self-viewing of videotaped speeches) on student public speaking apprehension. Subjects, 112 undergraduate students enrolled in introductory public speaking classes who were confronted with their videotaped speeches (as post-performance feedback), did not experience a reduction in their public…

Presents an inductive, holistic method of analysis of face-to-face communication based on simulated business negotiations between Japanese and American businesspeople. (JC)

Examines the conceptual and methodological similarities and differences of three listening measures--the Watson-Barker Listening Test, Kentucky Comprehensive Listening Test, and the Communication Competency Assessment Instrument. Provides information on the concepts being assessed in each and illuminates major methodological issues for listening…

Indicates that the incidence of communication apprehension among the Americans was significantly lower than that among the Japanese but significantly higher than that among the Australians or Koreans. (Author/RL)

To determine whether or not disabled persons see communication between themselves and able-bodied persons as different from communication with other disabled persons, telephone interviews were conducted with 27 orthopedically disabled persons. Aside from answering demographic questions, subjects were asked questions regarding when the subject…

A study compared the communication apprehension of basic studies (underprepared) and nonbasic studies college students in four contexts: (1) group, (2) interpersonal, (3) meetings, and (4) public communication. Subjects were 238 male and 209 female undergraduate students enrolled in the required basic communication course at the University of…

A study investigated communication apprehension in the Philippines and compared its incidence there with that in populations in the United States, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, and Micronesia. The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension for College Students (PRCA) was administered to 312 students in Manila, as well as to comparable numbers…

A study examined the extent to which existing data on communication apprehension (CA) can be employed to accurately reflect the cultural differences observed. The impact of those findings on the understanding of the nature of CA as it occurs in multiple cultures was also examined. Ten research reports that contained quantitative information that…

A study analyzed the verbal interactions of married couples in high, moderate, and low marital satisfaction groups to determine whether (1) the interaction processes within the three satisfaction groups differed and (2) there were different communication patterns that characterized the interaction processes of the groups. Subjects were 34 young…

A study investigated listening and oral communication apprehension in high school and college students from the United States and Australia. The subjects were 355 students from the United States (133 high school females, 109 high school males, 65 college females, and 46 college males), and 339 students from Australia (73 high school females, 91…

The communication apprehension and interpersonal needs of college students in the People's Republic of China were examined and compared to similar data on college students in the United States, Korea, Japan, and Australia. The instruments used in the studies were the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA) and the Fundamental…