Argues for a reconceptualization of second language learning in ways that account for the larger social and cultural forces that influence both the meanings residing in the linguistic resources used in face-to-face communication and the ability of individuals to use them. Also considers the sociohistorical significance of this perspective for…

Advances several explanations of why loyalty may not bring expected benefits; tests these explanations by examining responses to dissatisfaction in the everyday lives of partners in ongoing dating relationships. A diary study of dating partners revealed that partners disagreed on the occurrence of loyalty. Other findings are discussed. (RJM)

Posits that organizations in crisis situations must address multiple audiences with distinct needs. Analyzes the public communication offered by Jack in the Box restaurants during a food poisoning outbreak. Finds that ambiguity may provide organizations with a means for satisfying the divergent needs of their audiences--even where these distinct…

Suggests that environmental communication has become one of the fastest-growing areas within scientific and technical communication. Poses four models for public participation and presents a case study of the application of one model to regional deliberations about environmentally sustainable development. (SR)

Investigates the relationship between people's orientation toward independent and interdependent self-construals and the perceived importance of three interactive constraints in organizational communication situations. Indicates that self-construals are systematically related to perceptions of the importance of clarity, efforts to avoid hurting…

Identifies four roles explaining how able-bodied instructors communicate with physically disabled students: the avoider, the guardian, the rejector, and the nurturer. Describes and illustrates each role with events that happened in classrooms. Concludes that able-bodied instructors communicate differently with students with physical disabilities…

Studies a large sample of Dutch children. Finds that a positive-intense daydreaming style was stimulated by watching nonviolent children's programs and was inhibited by watching violent dramatic programs, while an aggressive-heroic daydreaming style was stimulated by watching violent dramatic programs and inhibited by watching nonviolent programs.…

Finds support for eight theoretically derived hypotheses concerning how highly misanthropic individuals respond differently to influence attempts, and concerning the positive relationship between misanthropy and the avoidance of health care. Shows that respondents high in misanthropy report higher actual incidence of stress-related diseases. (SR)

Asserts that research in technical communication must grow in quantity, quality, and coherence. Assesses the research reports in the proceedings of the annual conferences of the Society for Technical Communication for the last 20 years. Suggests a model for future growth. (SR)

Investigates whether readers are aware of and have any preferences about paragraph length. Finds that readers are aware and have a more positive attitude toward writing with paragraphs of less than 100 words. Finds that paragraph length does not affect attitudes toward the expertise of the writer, ease of comprehension, or quality of the passage.…

Shows that greater exposure to TV entertainment content is associated with beliefs that African Americans enjoy a relatively higher socioeconomic positions with respect to average income, social class, and educational achievement, whereas higher exposure to TV news was associated with perceptions that, in comparison with whites, African Americans…

Reports on a survey of personnel directors regarding their familiarity with, opinions of, and recommendations for the organizational communication major. Finds that, although few employers are familiar with the major, many employers would be interested in hiring an organizational communication graduate if they knew what graduates from such…

Examines the use of English in Japanese business communication. Finds that English is an important element of Japanese international business policy and that an awareness of both Japanese corporate commitment to employee English proficiency and of the complexities of the use of English for special purposes benefits business communicators involved…

Reports results of a survey of department chairs in many disciplines regarding communication problems they face. Finds that most department heads experience serious communication problems in conflict management, persuading/motivating others, public relations, and information management. (SR)

Argues that semiotics, the science of signs, provides a suitable research tool for investigating the communication process in public libraries. Literature review identifies research using semiotic methods, as well as communication research in public librarianship that would have profited from semiotics, as a first step toward understanding the…