Discusses eight books, including a textbook for undergraduates, that represent the type of research being conducted in the political communication field. Identifies major problems of current research. (PD)

Reports the results of electronic communication systems on office communication and the concepts and competencies that should be stressed to prepare students for this environment. (PD)

Findings strongly support the content validity of the 24 items included in the instrument to measure communication apprehension. (PD)

Television debates provide a powerful stimulus for speech communication classes as students focus on the effectiveness of debate in the political forum. This report reviews ERIC documents on the nature, quality, and format of television debates. (PD)

Survey results point to the importance of close friends for elderly individuals who wish to maintain high levels of life satisfaction. (PD)

Discusses some of the changes in journalism quality--not all of them necessarily good--precipitated by electronic newsroom technology in the newsroom. Encourages journalism faculty to take advantage of the opportunity to study first-hand what these changes mean, noting that, historically, this is only the third transition print production has…

Reviews social support literature and specific findings on the role of communication in the support process. Argues that uncertainty reduction theory may explain how communication affects an individual's perception that he or she is supported. Includes hypotheses for future research and some central dilemmas of supportive relationships. (PD)

Analyzes ballot comments of judges who were evaluating competitive rhetorical criticism events. Summarizes their comments to provide criteria for students competing in this speaking event. (PD)

Explores issues of indicator reliability, longitudinal stability, and parent-child similarity of family communication patterns (FCP). Demonstrates that several of the items in the standard FCP battery are highly unreliable for both parent and child respondents. Discusses a reconceptualization of research focusing on family norms and interaction.…

Argues for a broader conceptualization of deception, one that may lead to a fuller understanding of the phenomenon. Explores the concept by examining students' reaction to words denoting various aspects of deception. Concludes that deceptive communication involves a broad network of concepts and implies more than just lying. (PD)

Demonstrates that there are important conceptual distinctions among the constructs of reticence, shyness, communication apprehension, and unwillingness to communicate. Argues that the failure to recognize the distinctions impedes research and precludes improved methods of identifying the problems and improving treatment. (PD)

Results suggest that women tended to find excuses (denial of responsibility) helpful in reducing embarrassment while men tended to find justifications (acceptance of responsibility) more helpful. Discusses the findings in terms of sex roles. (PD)

For years, instructional communication literature has been telling teachers to be verbally and nonverbally immediate and to achieve clarity in order to enhance student motivation and learning. Unfortunately, the primary source of these recommended instructor behaviors has been the traditional college undergraduate student between the ages of 18…

Since revision is an integral part of writing instruction, a study explored the value that students attach to guided revision of their speaking outlines prior to presenting the speech. Subjects, 140 students taught by five different instructors, both ranked and rated the helpfulness of 10 instructional approaches in improving their public speaking…

The study of nonverbal communication continues to grow across the spectrum of research in many fields of study. Good textbooks and research studies are available to the scholar and the student, and courses about nonverbal behavior and communication are found in modern curricula. This book focuses on the complex, often hidden, processes that…