Reports the development of a Verbal Systems Analysis procedure for investigating significant form in verbal communications through a process which operationalizes two of the central concepts of form in Kenneth Burke's theory of symbolic action. (MH)

A study was conducted to identify the independent and conjoint influence of attitude similarity and initial interactions on interpersonal attraction to relative strangers. The 124 college students who were participants in the study were informed that they would be working on a project with either an attitudinally similar or dissimilar stranger…

Provides research data supporting the hypothesis that communication apprehension is negatively related to the amount of self-disclosure. (MH)

Constructs a foundation for the study of everyday talk from a communication perspective. (MH)

Focuses on an analysis of discourse in natural settings including speeches and formal presentations as well as informal meetings and ordinary talk. (MH)

Reports the results of three independent studies designed to investigate the relationship between communicator style and attraction. (MH)

In order to investigate speech accommodation--the way in which communicators influence each other's speaking patterns and rhythms--a study examined its occurrence, as well as the extent of a conversational partner's influence, and the influence of interpersonal uncertainty and differences in arousal level upon that accommodation process.…

Explores the unique speech communication classroom environment which often encourages both vulnerability and growth potential and suggests that such an environment demands consideration of student's interpersonal rights. Presents a class activity and a sample 'bill of rights' for speech communication students. (MH)

Contends that subjective or perceived homophily is more important than objective homophily in determining communication outcomes since it is communicator perceptions that influence communicator behavior. (MH)

Describes the rationale and method of research in natural settings explaining the concept of systematic observation and discusses the uses of this type of research in the classroom. (MH)

Provides an empirical basis for the proposition that predisposition to communicate is dependent upon the level of ego-involvement, the reception of either an anxiety- or a nonanxiety-arousing discrepant message, and the opportunity to affiliate. (MH)

Effects of sex of speaker and sex of dyad partner on selected linguistic variables were examined in four-minute segments of 20 conversations between previously unacquainted college students. Five male dyads, five female dyads, and ten mixed dyads were studied. Three significant interaction effects were found. Males and females produced about the…

Intended for those who teach dyadic communication, this paper argues that each partner in an intimate relationship has two primary communication needs: (1) to listen, look at, and pay attention to the "self" in order to attain clear awareness as a source of information for self-disclosure; and (2) to listen, look at, and pay attention to…

Noting that speech communication educators have developed a unique interpretation of the nature and role of self-disclosure in interpersonal communication--that it is essential in enhancing interpersonal relations and in bringing about improved mental adjustment--this paper contends that such an approach to communication overemphasizes the…