The Health, Science, and the Environment section of this collection of conference presentations contains the following 10 papers: "Telling Stories about Superfund Sites" (Sharon Dunwoody and Robert J. Griffin); "Understanding Audience Reactions to AIDS Messages: An Adaptation of the Meaning-Based Model" (Sujatha Sosale);…

The study reported here tested a proposed teacher efficacy model by examining: (1) whether perceived teacher efficacy, teacher communication competence, and teacher immediacy are significant predictors of perceived affective and cognitive student learning; and (2) whether perceived teacher communication competence and teacher immediacy are…

This paper examines the current state of communication education being offered in master of business administration (MBA) programs. Key individuals at 51 MBA programs, drawn at random from a comprehensive national listing of current MBA programs, completed surveys in which "communication education" was defined as any course or course segment which…

Noting that brainstorming remains a very popular means of idea generation despite considerable research evidence to the contrary, this paper attempts to debunk the brainstorming myth by first critically reviewing the claims advocating brainstorming and the data supporting these claims. The paper discusses the social science research relevant to…

This paper proposes a view of the communication/cognitive psychology relationship which attempts to reclaim the concept of "communication" as being fundamental to the understanding of communication phenomena and thus to the discipline of communication studies. This view is presented in the paper as an alternative to a view which conceptualizes…

A study examined communication majors' attitudes toward job opportunities in their chosen areas (and communication in general) and how communication majors have proactively prepared themselves to enter the work world. A convenience sample of 140 undergraduate students enrolled in communication programs at 4 different universities responded to a…

A study assessed the status of the undergraduate general communication theory course at small and large colleges. Questionnaires were mailed to 261 programs in the United States listing a communication theory course in their catalogues. A total of 62 questionnaires were returned, for a response rate of 24%. Results indicated: (1) a clear…

The perception and acceptance of the Internet as a personal communication channel, and the functional characteristics of the Internet, provide a new means for geographically separated friends and family members to communicate with one another. This paper presents a theoretical framework for the study of family communication and electronic mail. A…

A survey assessed the current status of the business and professional communication course. A questionnaire was completed by faculty members at 39 Texas colleges and universities. Results indicated that 66% of the institutions surveyed offer a course in business and professional communication (with titles such as Business Speech, Oral…

To contribute to an understanding of the elements of good air traffic controller communication with the objective of providing recommendations to improve controller communication training, two studies analyzed team communication, ground-air communication, and ground-line communication. The simulated and live traffic analyses examined established…

Small colleges and universities are increasingly feeling the pressure to conduct, present, and publish research. While small college/university faculty face added hurdles, one means for developing more active research programs and for stimulating and encouraging increased scholarship involves collaborating with undergraduate students. St. Norbert…

A study defined more clearly the role of apprehension, motivation, and gender in student questioning. A survey of 118 questions was given to 156 students enrolled in an introductory communication course. The questions were designed to study student perception of the nature of questioning and to examine student-related and instructor-related…

A study examined system design factors and communication norms which combined to affect perceptions of televised instruction. Subjects, 206 proximate and 73 distant students enrolled in communication courses, received the same instruction in two modes (face-to-face and at a distance) and their perceptions were compared. The four instructors were…

A study investigated whether listening effectiveness could be improved by completing a college listening class. Volunteer subjects, 14 males and 14 females enrolled in a 3-hour, 16-week college listening course for undergraduate or graduate students at a medium-sized midwestern university, were given the video version of the Watson-Barker…

Forced discipline refers to the specific procedures, routines, and standards required for carrying out course-related tasks. This paper discusses various facets of discipline, then looks at how 160 students in a basic speech-communication course respond to forced discipline. The paper next looks at how 30 basic-course directors define forced…