Examines 251 responses to a battery of 45 professional standard items. Indicates public relations professionals surveyed across the nation underestimate the current state of professional standards in the field. Finds this state of affairs, described in coorientation theory as pluralistic ignorance, suggests the field may actually hold higher…

Contributes to research on the relationship between journalism and public relations by surveying journalists and public relations practitioners. Shows that the two groups share generally similar news values, but that journalists were largely unaware of this similarity. Finds that practitioners, expecting contributions of social good by public…

A survey instrument operationalizing 24 elements of professional performance was administered to 291 public relations educators across the nation, yielding a 43.6% response rate. Respondents assessed the extent to which a standard of professionalism currently exists for each of the 24 items. Educators tended to view writing/editing and…

Surveys 291 public relations educators nationally to assess the extent to which a standard of professionalism currently exists for each of 24 items. Finds that educators viewed writing/editing and graphics/production skills, ethical guidelines, accreditation, and "public relations as advocacy" as enjoying well-established standards.…

Describes how a public relations sequence at the University of Georgia in Athens "adopted" the offices of development for the University and its own college as the "clients" for students enrolled in a Public Relations Campaigns course. Discusses how students conducted research among donors and nondonors. Suggests a variety of…

Notes that perceived motives to impression manage in public relations, seen as advocacy behavior, had a main effect on the reputation of public relations among undergraduate students and other non-student adults. Finds public relations to be less well-regarded when its practitioners were seen as acting with overt, intentional behaviors for…

In a replication and extension of a 1984 study by M. A. Ferguson to investigate the status of theory building by public relations scholars, 748 abstracts and/or articles published in "Public Relations Review,""Journal of Public Relations Research," and its predecessor "Public Relations Research Annual," since their inceptions through the year…

Surveys public relations educators nationwide. Finds (1) little consensus about professional standards in public relations among educators and practitioners; and (2) both educators and practitioners held their peers in comparatively low esteem. Offers 10 recommendations to reorient and reemphasize the content of courses. (RS)

A study tested effects of motives, communication style, and licensing (whether the practitioner is licensed or not) on public relations practitioners' reputations. Impression management theory suggests that perceived motives and self-interests may explain the poor reputation sometimes attributed to public relations practitioners. Subjects, 585…

This paper explores how teachers of public relations can help students tolerate the many ambiguities inherent in public relations practice. The paper first reviews the literature regarding individual differences in communication, tolerance-intolerance of ambiguity, and individual differences in teaching. The paper then reports the findings of two…

An exploratory study examined relationships between interpersonal communication theory and public relations from 1970 to 1990. One hundred thirty-six public relations campaign cases recognized for excellence by the Public Relations Society of America were analyzed for applicability of seven interpersonal theoretical perspectives. Information…