Examines two methods of conducting an employment interviewing training exercise for interviewees. Compares instructor-facilitated and peer-facilitated exercises specifically. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each. Concludes that instructor-facilitated training was preferred over peer-facilitated training, and suggests directions for…

Examines the general strategies of Bill Clinton and George Bush in the 1992 presidential campaign regarding the abortion issue among the complex of family values appeals and in the context of the "culture war." Analyzes the rhetorical power of the dead fetus image shown in campaign advertising. Speculates on the influence of the abortion…

Examines how texts are constrained by cultural forces in a critical analysis of the controversy regarding rap group Public Enemy's Professor Griff and his universalizing claims about Jews. Investigates the economic, political, and ideological mechanisms that encouraged the band to withdraw Griff's comments and replace it with a text more…

Finds significant correlation between student communication apprehension and student classroom apprehension. Reveals significant differences in classroom apprehension by class type, but no significant differences in communication apprehension by choice of occupation. Finds perceptions of academic performance negatively associated with classroom…

Finds that approximately 40% of the variance in adult sons' reports of fathers' messages (sarcasm, criticism, and verbal aggressiveness) was attributable to fathers' self-reported argumentativeness and verbal aggression. (SR)

Reports on two studies that indicate Role Category Questionnaire-based indicators do not reflect differences in construct system development. Shows that respondents reported their actions were intentional, goal- and other-directed, and communication. Reveals a substantial correlation between verbal efficiency and number of abstract descriptors,…

Tests whether trainers using the book "Coping with Speech Anxiety" as a resource would be able to construct workshops as effective in reducing public speaking anxiety as people trained to conduct systematic desensitization workshops. Indicates that both workshops were more effective in reducing public speaking apprehension than control conditions…

Reports on exploratory empirical investigations on the performances of Dutch secondary education students in identifying unexpressed premises and argumentation schemes. Finds that, in the absence of any disambiguating contextual information, unexpressed major premises and non-syllogistic premises are more often correctly identified that…

Finds that the nontraditional media of television talk shows and morning network shows did not contribute significantly to greater knowledge of candidate issue positions, greater intention to vote, or higher levels of interest in the 1992 presidential election campaign. (SR)

Investigates whether different measurements can significantly influence the outcome of a study. Examines whether voters learn more from political advertisements than from television news, using exposure and attention to measure television watching, confidence and accuracy to measure knowledge, and different control strategies. Finds that different…

Investigates reliability and validity of speech evaluation instruments used in public speaking classes. Finds that student speeches can be evaluated reliably and validly using any of a number of different evaluation forms that address the fundamental speech constructs of content and delivery. Finds that lack of extensive rater training and…

Investigates a possible source of grade-related conflict--the different perceptions students and teachers hold on what grades "mean." Finds stark differences between the two groups' perceptions of grades while underscoring the value of metaphor analysis as a tool for elucidating respondents' deeply felt central meanings. (SR)

Uses structuration theory to examine the discursive responses of organizational members of a merging utility company as they cope with uncertainty associated with the change. Reveals how members position themselves ideologically not only as a response to the merger, but also to produce and reproduce organizational structures that enhance or…

Investigates similarities in how people respond to mediated presentations and nonmediated experience in the realm of social interaction. Finds that viewing distance manipulation failed to support predictions and watching larger television screens led to more positive emotional responses, in which subjects selected a viewing position that…

Reviews court cases regarding copyright ownership of student-produced videos. Makes recommendations concerning a contract between school and student acknowledging the student's copyright but granting the school a nonexclusive license to air the program. Presents a prototype of such a contract. (SR)