Summarizes basic principles for analyzing discourse. Focuses on discourse in the press, analyzing various levels, units, dimensions, modes, and social contexts. Discusses the relevance of discourse analysis to mass communication research. (PD)

Reported two studies on the relations among observer familiarity, perceived behavioral discrepancy, and judgmental accuracy in detecting deceptions. Results indicated, among other findings, that observers having prior exposure to baseline information were significantly better at detecting deception, though repeated exposure did not significantly…

A report of an investigation of conversations involving more than two persons. Two types of illocutionary acts are accounted for: the traditional kind directed at the addressee(s) and another, called an informative, addressed to all participants. Evidence is presented that every illocutionary act is performed by means of an informative. (AMH)

Members of dyads were asked to communicate with each other in the simple task of assembling a tinker toy model. Results indicated that when both members of the dyad were cognitively complex or when the complex member was the person giving the directions, more pieces of the model were assembled. (PD)

Describes four paradigms that dominate the major research traditions in organizational communication: functionalist, interpretive, radical humanist, and radical structuralist. Argues that, although researchers rarely make their core assumptions known, their beliefs about social reality undergird the way they theorize and put into operation…

Findings suggest that cognitive complexity plays an influential role in the development of children's ability to provide accounts for conversational deviance, as well as their ability to provide alternative strategies for the completion of conversations disrupted by improper turn-taking. Social perspective-taking and communication adaptation…

Assesses the types of conversational patterns--from cross-complaining to contracting--that characterize satisfied couples; suggests theoretical models that account for their success. Proposes the hypothesis that the underlying mechanism that maintains closeness in marriages is symmetry in emotional responsiveness, which relates to whether spouses…

Advertising featuring men appears to be moving gradually toward a decrease in sex-role stereotyping, although the progress is obviously slow. Of the 660 advertisements examined, only 13 were in the category showing men performing nonstereotypic roles capably or acknowledging that the sexes are fully equal. (PD)

Assesses the impact of new wave music on a major component of the U.S. record-buying public--college students. Concludes that several obstacles (mood, history, confusion, life-style, social function, emotional discomfort, and frivolity) stand in the way of new wave music as a major cultural force. (PD)

Tests three models describing the structure of talk and silence sequences within and across conversations: the Markov model, the independent decision model, and the incremental model. The implication for deriving dyadic interaction patterns from individual interaction styles is explored. (JMF)

Summarizes the arguments against the use of the term "mass" in communication research based on confusions which relate it to the theses of mass society theory or the notion that the term is too simple for the complex nature of communication. (JMF)

Reports that interpersonal diffusion of news events appears to be a selective, purposive, frequently altruistic communication phenomenon composed of a variety of underlying motivations. (Author/GT)

Inquires into the appropriateness of current scientific methods for use by the emerging communication policy science. Considers changes in the communication field leading to a policy science and outlines some of the problems and possibilities in methods of inquiry. Suggests the development of uniquely appropriate methods for communication policy…

Examines 27 daily and weekly newspapers from 25 Pacific Basin countries to determine if any national characteristics are revealed in national news media that lead those media to emphasize particular kinds of foreign news events. (JMF)

Examines research dealing with learning processes and suggests its applications to compliance gaining. Discusses the degree to which learning theories explain the acquisition of new attitudes and behaviors, and the degree to which attitudinal and behavioral changes are governed by learning theory principles. (JMF)