This study examined how student perceptions of math/statistics instructors' argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness are related to student perceptions of classroom communication climate, student state motivation, and student math anxiety. A total of 216 completed questionnaires were returned by the student participants (96 males and 120…

This study examines perceptions of argumentative and verbally aggressive conduct, and also five relationship-outcome factors contingent upon dyad sex and communicator style. Participants viewed one of four videos that manipulated the sex and the communicator style of a dyad in an interpersonal dispute. Significant main effects were observed for…

Explores how topics of arguments relate to argumentativeness among college students. Finds that individuals reported greater frequency of advocacy than refutative behavior during arguments and that high argumentatives engaged in more advocacy and refutation than moderates or lows. Suggests implications to the interactionist approach to the study…

The communication discipline has advanced the belief that arguing (high argumentativeness) is a constructive communication activity. Recent research efforts have attempted the integration of principles from argumentation, interpersonal communication, and conflict management, and several benefits of high motivation to argue and skill in informal…

Found that (1) motivation to argue is heightened when high argumentatives expect to encounter a person who also enjoys arguing; and (2) low argumentatives have less motivation to argue regardless of the adversary. (PD)

A study examined how beliefs about arguing are related to the general motivation to argue. Subjects, 505 undergraduate students, were administered the Argumentativeness Scale and a beliefs-about-arguing measure. The scale contained 10 items for measuring the general tendency to approach arguments and 10 items for measuring the general tendency to…

Describes the implementation of a training program for seventh graders based on a modification of Infante's Inventional System (a system used to generate arguments). Finds that the training program significantly increased both the students' general tendency to argue, as well as their ability to generate arguments. (SR)

Finds no significant differences between measures of general tendency to argue taken immediately after a one-week training program on "Arguing Constructively" and measures obtained 7 months to 1 year later. Finds, however, that students' self-reported levels of verbal aggressiveness were significantly higher 7 months to 1 year later than…

A study was conducted to enhance understanding of the role of sex in influencing beliefs about argumentative communication. Using a belief structure framework, the study investigated how males and females discriminate on beliefs about arguing. The study also explored whether trait argumentativeness influences biological sex in discriminating…

A study examined the influence of physical attractiveness and trait argumentativeness as predictors of responses to an argumentative situation. Subjects, 152 college students identified as either high or low in trait argumentativeness, were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions: attractive or unattractive anticipated adversary. A…

To examine the influence that biological sex and psychological gender have on trait argumentativeness, 219 subjects were asked to complete the Argumentativeness Scale and the Revised Bem Sex-Role Inventory. Subjects were classified according to sex and gender, and two-way analysis of variance was conducted. Additionally, discriminate analysis was…

Investigated the particular beliefs that differentiate types of argumentative individuals. Found that high argumentative students tend to perceive arguing primarily as an enjoyable learning experience demonstrating rhetorical skills, while low argumentatives view arguing as a hostile communication encounter that increases conflict between people.…

This paper first outlines the objectives of programs which focus on conflict management and violence prevention. The paper then describes the application of a model of aggressive communication as a potential component in conflict management and violence prevention programs. The model presented in the paper incorporates training in argument and…

Recent research on argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness has examined the influence of these two predispositions on marital/interspousal violence and cross-cultural communication. The line of inquiry regarding intrafamily violence and aggression is beginning to emerge. R. J. Gelles and M. A. Straus have identified two intraindividual…