Responds to a paper by Brant Burleson and continues the dispute regarding whether argument-as-product or argument-as-interaction should be regarded as the paradigm case or exemplar of argument. Defends the primacy of the interactional view by reference to the shortcomings of the serial predicative view. (JMF)

One of the factors inhibiting development of a more descriptive theory of communication has been a poorly defined conceptual framework which places almost exclusive emphasis on verbal messages and overlooks an important feature of the communication process, the fact that effective communication develops from interaction among various message…

A two-tiered model of group influences on individual choice behavior is developed and evidence relevant to the model is reviewed in this paper. The model consists of two parts: a model of individual choice, and models of group influence on components of the individual choice model. The model of individual choice is based on the…

In order to help in the analysis and evaluation of organizations, this paper presents a model that combines a functional perspective with a rules approach. An organization is viewed as an entity analogous to a culture that can be analyzed by identifying its collectively defined master contract; it may be critiqued by assessing the process by which…

Presents a model of meanings in coherent conversation taking the form of a hierarchy of levels of cognitive interpolations between the stream of behavior and archetypal patterns in conversations. A study of indirect responses in conversation is reported which supports the hierarchical structure of the model. (JMF)

The central and most common element in existing conceptualizations of communication competency is the concept of control, which suggests that competency is a function of the communicator's ability to exert influence over physical and social surroundings. This paper identifies six phases of the control process: goal specification, information…

While the traditional role of television has been to transmit messages to mass audiences, more recent uses of television which allow face-to-face interaction may lead to new kinds of behavior by the parties involved. In an interactive situation, an individual's two types of tasks are presentational (presenting his own "line" or image)…

Relational communication refers to the control or dominance aspects of message exchange in dyads--distinguishing it from the report or referential aspects of communication. In relational communicational analysis, messages as transactions are emphasized; major theoretical concepts which emerge are symmetry, transitoriness, and complementarity of…

This research examined the nature of the "self-fulfilling prophecy" by investigating how the gradual accumulation of information and the relationship of the source and content of information may affect teachers' perceptions and ratings of trust, social ability, and academic ability of individual students. The study sought to answer two…