Data indicate that speakers with relatively high ethos (college professors) can raise their ratings on wittiness/funniness and sense of humor--without damaging their credibility--by making fun of their professional fields, provided they do not at the same time humorously disparage the values of the audience. (PD)

Reviews research which examines the relationship of loneliness with communication variables. Reports on a study which found that (1) communication apprehension was not significantly related to loneliness and (2) canonical correlation reveals a significant relationship between the communicative competence dimension, social experience, and the lack…

Reports a preliminary study of the four-level theory of role-taking. Investigates the hypothesis that the use of each role-taking level in describing the self correlates with the use of the same role-taking level in describing other persons. Discusses implications for interpersonal communication research. (PD)

Found that college students who were high self-monitors reported varying their self-disclosures more than low self-monitors. Finding is consistent with theory and research which indicate that high self-monitors perceive that they adapt to situations by varying their communication while low self-monitors do not. (PD)

Describes a perspective designed to examine the structure, function, and process of interpersonal communication to locate the major sources of problems in particular interactions. States assumptions of the perspective, defines the elements and processes of interpersonal communication, suggests ways to use the framework, and describes current…

Concludes that in the laboratory, participants' conversation behavior is not discernably affected by videotaping, no matter how overt or obvious the taping procedure is. Study focuses on behaviors out of conscious awareness: gestures, head nods, speaking turns, self or object manipulations, and shifts to reclining posture or to forward lean. (PD)

Discusses a survey of personnel officers that was designed to help perspective employees present themselves in the best possible way. The survey yielded data about the initial contact by job seekers, job application letters, and resumes. A copy of the survey instrument is included. (FL)

Written transcripts of spouses' discussions were coded using two different systems. Findings indicate that the results obtained from one coding system cannot easily be compared with results obtained from the other system. Author calls for resolution of differences in coding procedures if relational communication research is to be usefully…

Confirms results suggested in previous studies: in viewing video replays of their speeches, students recognize the need for improvement in language and delivery but give less attention to content. Concludes that using video replay for student self-critiques will be beneficial primarily in identifying and improving language and delivery. (PD)

Experiment dealt with selecting political candidates. Results provide some limited support for the hypothesized importance of matching information presentation formats to decision-making strategies. However, the most effective pattern of matching turned out to be in the opposite direction of the prediction. Discusses methodological issues. (PD)

Examines the relationship between ideology as a structuring device for political information and the use of television and newspapers as sources of that information. Discusses how ideological sophistication interacts with exposure to political information to produce political attitude holding and attitude structure. (JMF)

Studies the effects of source valence, including source credibility, attraction, and homophyly, on voter preference in a Florida Democratic primary election campaign. Indicates that attitude homophyly is an excellent predictor of voter preference. (JMF)

Tests a model of resistance to persuasion based upon variables not considered by earlier congruity and inoculation models. Supports the prediction that the kind of critical response set induced and the target of the criticism are mediators of resistance to persuasion. (JMF)

Presents research in the areas of information flow and perceptual/attitudinal variables which has been conducted over the past 30 years of organizational communication research. (JMF)

Discusses experiments indicating that simulated jurors instructed by a judge to disregard sensational inadmissible testimony do not appear to do so when rendering their verdicts; and an attorney's objection or judge's ruling on inadmissible testimony tends to amplify the influence of such information on jury verdicts and sentence recommendations.…