Examines the types of comprehension problems that students experience in classrooms and the tactics they use to resolve those problems. Reports meaningful distinctions among classroom comprehension problems, and finds that the tactics used vary systematically in relation to the situation (class size and instructional format) and the type of…

Suggests that communication consultants are diverse in degree qualifications, in disciplines, and in kind of consulting services offered. Also suggests that consultants serve large businesses and that they conduct various writing and nonwriting workshops for client organizations. Notes that word-of-mouth and college referrals are important means…

The problem of change in the character of the United States Supreme Court between 1969 and 1975 is examined, in this paper, in the context of group decision making and organizational communication. Based on information from "The Brethren," a behind-the-scenes account of the Supreme Court justices by Bob Woodward and Scott Armstrong, the…

Reframing, (redirecting or changing the perceptual experience of a situation by placing it in another frame that fits the facts equally well or better) is a relatively unique approach to interpersonal problem solving. A study was conducted to determine whether reframing could be taught as a self-help interpersonal problem-solving skill and to…

Employees in different kinds of organizations were surveyed for their perceptions of their companies' client and operational problem-solving networks. The individuals came from a manufacturing firm, a community college, a telephone company, a farmers' cooperative, and a hospital. Interviews were conducted with those people reporting numerous…

In the past, many communication consultants have been "speech coaches," who helped clients to organize messages, construct arguments, and deliver speeches. Today, however, the role of communication specialists as management consultants has broadened in scope. To accommodate the demands of this enlarged role, communication consultants…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 21 titles deal with a variety of topics, including the following: (1) factors affecting interpersonal attraction and perceived appropriateness; (2) the effect of self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, conceptual complexity, and…