Viewing generic arguments (arguments applied to an entire class or group of opposing arguments) in terms of the argument fields of a debate resolution strengthens the generic argument as a debate concept, brings debate theory and argument together, and offers a perspective for evaluating generic arguments in academic and the real world debate.…

Reports the results of two studies measuring the effect of time limits in debates on the quality of rebuttal speeches. Found that the time limit for rebuttals did not affect speech quality, and that the quality of a rebuttal speech was dependent upon the position of the speech. (SKC)

Supports the hypothesis that exposure to nonmediated information that conflicts with information gained from a media source would cause an increase in media skepticism. Suggests that media skepticism may be a useful construct for future research in communication processes and effects. (NKA)

Responds critically to Beatty and Payne's data allegedly demonstrating that assessments of cognitive complexity are severely confounded by "loquacity." Argues that those researchers employed a flawed measure of loquacity and inappropriate data analytic procedures. Reports on two empirical studies in which alternative measures of…

Uses value analysis to examine the rhetoric of a large multinational high-technology organization, focusing on the value-oriented arguments that emerge from the rhetorical strategies utilized in the organization's recruitment and entry level practices. Notes the recurrent rhetorical strategy of stating only the organization's positive values. (MM)

Covers the life of Wilbur Schramm and his contributions to the field of communication research. (MS)

Considers the way in which recent apocalyptic religious discourse motivates actions and attitudes toward secular issues by appealing to sacred texts. Traces one such strategy, termed "transfer." (SR)

Explores the dimensions of expectancy theory in human communicative behavior. Examines human expectancies from a communicative perspective. Proposes an expectancy model of human symbolic activity centering on communicative expectancies within supervisor and subordinate relationships. (SR)

Argues against John Durham Peters' account that describes communications as an "intellectually stagnant" field of study. Claims that communication research as a field has been evolving with some success toward becoming a discipline. (MS)

Argues that selection procedures (subjects rate a list of preformulated message strategies) are much less sensitive than construction procedures (subjects construct their own message strategies) in compliance-gaining research, due to a type of social desirability bias known as the item desirability effect. (JAD)

Replies to responses (same issue) to the author's "Relocating the Site of the Audience." (MS)

Investigates differences between networks, based on importance, response satisfaction, and frequency within the same functional communication network. Finds few differences in networks generated by these different methods for determining strengths of linkages, and a number of difficulties associated with current methodologies for examining more…

Reports on two studies, retrodictive correspondence and predictive correspondence, conducted to examine three approaches to data analysis generally adopted by compliance-gaining message-selection researchers. Indicates that only one shows a correspondence with actual compliance-gaining message behavior. (JK)

Examines the role of importance, novelty, and plausibility of message information in producing belief change. Demonstrates that significant belief changes only occurred when message information was high in importance, novelty, and plausibility. (NKA)

Reviews research concerning the role played by variations in the timing of communicator identification as one aspect of the effect that communicator credibility has on persuasive communication. Claims that variations in the timing of the identification of the source of a persuasive communication can produce substantial differences in persuasive…