Discusses a study designed to measure the effects of message threat level, message quality, and initial receiver attitude on attitude change and evaluations of source credibility. (MH)

Examined with 17 elementary level deaf children were the integration of deaf children with an oral, integrated instructional background with a deaf class with a total communication instructional background and the integration of deaf children with partial or total reliance on total communication with a hearing class. (SBH)

The analysis of videotaped, naturally occurring, adult-child interaction led to the isolation of the clarification request as a consistent feature of adult interactive styles. The importance of these demands, their nature, how adults deal with them, and their effects on children's communicative development are discussed. (CHK)

Presents a model of relational influence attempts (RIAs) in dating and marital couples' conversations. Provides insight into the role that tacit relational knowledge plays in shaping conversation. Links conversation analysis with relationship analysis. Supports the claim that knowledge of relational pragmatics is required to effectively evaluate…

Discusses style-developing assignments in which students simulate the characteristic features of a distinctive manner of speaking. Suggests using impersonation as an invention strategy (e.g., by adopting a controversial persona position), and to encourage stylistic fluency through parodies, dialogues, or polyphonic essays. Also suggests using…

Communication in mother-infant dyads and mother-infant-sibling triads was examined to determine how variation in the number of people and type of activity affect the ways language is used by all participants. Homebased observations were made of 16 first- and 16 later-born children when they were between 18 and 23 months old. (Author/BN)

Reported on the application of a speech communication instrument called the RHETSEN scale, which sorts subjects' responses by rhetorical sensitivity, noble self, and rhetorical reflector. Subjects were members of the Society for Technical Communication. Found that sex, age, and education level affected response type significantly. (SKC)

Surveys communication researchers about the importance of 116 research questions and 24 general areas in communication education to identify future research needs for the discipline. Indicates that priority should be placed on investigations of student and teacher communication competence, effects of teacher communication on learning, and…

Twenty-one language disordered children ages three through seven diagnosed with autism, mental retardation, and/or developmental aphasia received a mean number of 74 signed speech training sessions. Seventeen children learned at least one word, and seven children learned multiple-word phrases. Most language learned was retained in a six-month…

A discussion of the role that interpersonal interaction plays in the perception and interpretation of oral expression looks at language styles, the use of the body for communication, the speaker's perspective on the audience, and the importance of oral skills in politics, business, and job seeking. (MSE)

As a result of anticolonial movements in the Caribbean, Creole languages are becoming major languages of communication. Language planning has begun to focus on them. These languages must be taught to non-native speakers who want to participate fully in Caribbean culture. This is clearly demonstrated in the area of cinema. (VM)

Communication breakdowns occurring in the speech of seven language learning-disabled children (aged 9-11) were examined in conversation and narration and compared to normal peers. Length of communication unit and rate of communication breakdowns per communication unit were greater in narration than conversation compared to controls. No differences…

Describes how Carroll C. Arnold's rare combination of intelligence, skill, dedication, and compassion have made him one of the great teachers in the speech communication classroom. Praises his qualities as a scholar, teacher, professional, and human being. Describes how his works are continuing to shape the field of speech communication. (JD)

Discusses how, in his speech communication classes, Thomas Jennings Pace taught the tolerance for ambiguity as a major device for learning and living. Presents Pace's concept of achieving communication (as opposed to mere persuasion) by using dialogue and learning to discriminate between the mundane and the significant. (JD)

Reviews John P. Ryan's contributions to the speech communication profession. Discusses the following aspects of his method of public speaking, notable for its imaginative planning: (1) his insistence upon preparation, good thinking, good speech content; (2) his attention to delivery; repetition, organization, mnemonic words; and (3) his abundance…