Examines whether cognitive complexity and behavioral complexity exert significant effects on impression differentiation. Finds that, while individuals exposed to behaviorally complex messages tended to form more differentiated impressions of the message source, the effect of complex messages on source differentiation was strongest for persons with…

Discusses the relationship of debate theory to the 1988 presidential and vice presidential debates. Proposes that the press's involvement retrieves the debates from the category of "joint appearances." Argues that major definitional difficulties are resolved by recognizing the press as one of the adversaries in the debate process. (MM)

Demonstrates the value of studying organizational myths through dramatistic analysis of public relations materials. Uses rhetorical theory to critique the symbolic realities created by myth. Applies dramatistic criticism to Grand Teton National Park's interpretive literature to disclose organizational myths that permeate its public relations…

Provides representative examples of the problems that diminish the utility of current metadiscourse theories, and proposes an alternative theory that locates metadiscourse within the larger context of speech act theory. Defines metadiscourse as indicators of expositive illocutionary acts, and provides a taxonomy of metadiscursive functions and…

Reports on the development of a test designed to measure the perceived characteristics of microcomputers as information innovations, with factors measuring complexity, compatibility, and trialability/observability, but not measuring relative advantage or perceived expense. Finds acceptable levels of reliability and construct validity for the test.…

Explicates the production of multiple-goal messages from the perspective of action assembly theory. Reports an experimental investigation contrasting the speech of participants pursuing multiple social goals with the speech of people pursuing a single task. Finds that people pursuing multiple goals have longer speech-onset latencies with greater…

Examines the nature of the construct differentiation/anxiety relationship in light of messages produced. Considers recent and complex conceptualizations of social-cognitive development and anxiety. Finds no significant relationship between state anxiety and construct differentiation. (MM)

Uses management level, age, experience, education, salary, organization type, and organization size to assess the status and roles of minorities working in the public relations industry. Suggests that although the majority of minority practitioners perceive themselves in middle level management positions, their salaries are not comparable to that…

Examines how visualization compares with placebo procedures in reducing communication apprehension (CA) in public speaking classes. Finds that visualization is an active treatment procedure that reduces CA above and beyond the reduction that can be attributed to the "extra-attention" involved in any treatment process. (MS)

Examines possible stylistic differences in how mothers structure conversations about the past with their young children and how these differences might influence children's memory development. Finds two styles, elaborative and repetitive. Considers implications of these two styles for children's memory development. (JAD)

Demonstrates the relationship of planning to two social outcomes, loneliness and shyness. Examines the impact of plan complexity on behavior in two social contexts--asking for a date and ingratiating oneself to a new roommate. (MM)

Illustrates how Johnson & Johnson's crisis communication management adhered to many of the recommended guidelines for managing contingency planning, for mobilizing a crisis communication effort, and for post-crisis communication. Reveals the advantageous use of flexible, proactive, and corollary communication strategies. (MS)

Finds that making content relevant to students' personal and career was a factor, in addition to immediacy, that increased students' state motivation. Notes that a scale to measure content relevance in the classroom was developed, factor analyzed, and determined to be a valid and reliable unidimensional instrument. (SR)

Finds that high, moderate, and low apprehensives perceived significant gains in competency and significant decreases in anxiety in a public speaking course. Finds no differences among them in the amount of perceived improvement and anxiety decrease. Reveals a significant positive correlation between teachers' verbal immediacy and anxiety decrease…

Explores the effects of computer-mediated communication (CMC) and face-to-face (FTF) media on group performance of college students. Finds that CMC groups generated a greater number of unique ideas than FTF groups but that CMC groups took longer to reach consensus than FTF groups. Discusses implications and recommendations for media combination…