Describes the creation of a unidimensional testing instrument designed to measure the emotional support in relationships. Suggests that perceptions of emotional support would be positively correlated to perceptions of relational solidarity and relational equality. States that the final test consisted of 13 communication-based items with high…

Collects data to determine the effects of communication apprehension and nonverbal immediacy upon students' expectations of themselves as learners and to examine relationships among students' traitlike communication apprehension, self-perceived immediacy and instructors' evaluations. Finds that, as apprehension increased, immediacy decreased. (PA)

Examines the association between social support from various sources and psychosocial problems, and how these associations vary over the life span. Finds that perceived social support and contact with social network members appears to have beneficial effects for all participants, as evidenced through reduced symptoms of depression and loneliness.…

Identifies message design features that show the greatest promise for developing message high in sensation value for anti-drug campaigns and other interventions aimed at sensation-seeking risky behaviors. Investigates certain features of drug prevention Public Service Announcements (PSAs) associated with viewers' subjective responses to them.…

Explores the effects of nonverbal reactions of a talk show host and studio audience members to arguments presented by a talk show guest on a low-involvement topic. Suggests that positive audience or host reactions can enhance persuasive influence; however, if those cues are incongruent, persuasive influence may be negated. Addresses implications…

Reviews problematic integration theory (concerned with the role of communication when communicators face ambiguity, ambivalence, or impossibility). Presents a case study of Milan Kundera's writing illuminating both the theory and this significant novel. Discusses the relevance of problematic integration theory to other approaches to the study of…

Examines individual differences among empaneled and excused jurors' responses to a set of personality questionnaires. Finds that empaneled jurors had significantly higher disclosiveness scores, particularly with respect to positive disclosiveness, than excused jurors. Suggests that jury selection is partially a function of personality, rather than…

Considers the correlations between speaker personality traits and reactions to audiences associated with public speaking anxiety. Finds that the global traits of extroversion/introversion, emotional stability, and intellect were significantly correlated with public speaking anxiety and related cognitive and affective reactions to the prospect of…

Finds that students who reported high communication apprehension (CAs) were less willing to communicate, less willing to volunteer, less willing to work with terminally ill patients, and felt less confident about their communication than low CAs, and disclosed less to terminally ill patients than did people in any other circumstance. (SR)

Finds that higher Humor Orientation (HO) was associated with lower levels of loneliness; acquaintances' perceptions of HO and self-reported HO were positively related; people seen as more humorous were seen as socially attractive; and verbally aggressive individuals did not report more loneliness, but were perceived to be less socially attractive,…

Reviews intercultural communication research as it is published by communication journals. Examines how culture is conceptualized in intercultural communication research. Discusses alternate ways in which "culture" might be conceptualized and explores the consequences that this might have for intercultural communication scholarship. (SR)

Applies H.J. Eysenck's theoretical perspective on the development of anxiety to explain audience perceptions of public speakers--specifically the effects of social conditioning, particularly punishment, and the relative conditionability of an individual's nervous system combine to predict behavioral responses to state anxiety. Finds that…

Investigates whether the obstacles expressed in refusal of a request influence sex differences in persistence after refusal. Examines four responses to rejection: the desire to persist with the request, and the use of persuasion cues, inquiries, and forgiving statements. Suggests that male and female undergraduate students enact similar persistent…

Finds that the number of black models in magazine advertisements has increased; the use of Hispanic and Asian models was extremely small; there were few differences in portrayal by gender or age; and blacks were more likely to appear as athletes or musicians and to be featured in public-service or government-sponsored ads. (SR)

States that metaphors/analogies can be helpful when people have to learn to use something. Examines computer software manual material language. Finds that expressions suggesting that computers have an affective relationship to the user or communicate their intentions through human language appear to be perceived as anthropomorphistic and might…