Tests a model of the factors that influence groups to follow various paths as they make decisions. Uses three panels of contingency variables to predict properties of the group's developmental path. Finds that group decision paths and their properties can be predicted as a function of task and relational contingencies. (MS)

Examines the effects of participant and observer perspectives on the quantity and quality of information recalled from conversations. Finds that conversational memory may be linked to the social cognitive bias, which has long been associated with the observer perspective. (MS)

Broadens the concept of a special event from its narrow function as publicity to a cultural event. Presents a framework to explain special events. Uses a case study of the Olympics to illustrate the framework. (MS)

Tests the inferential approach to the study of competence evaluation and a series of complicating factors relevant to it by having participants with known implicit theories judge an observed communicator on a set of competence-relevant characteristics and on overall competence. Finds inferential models predicted these judgments well. (MS)

Focuses on the quantity of articles authored or coauthored by individuals in the field of communication studies. Determines which individuals produce the most articles in this field, where they received their education, and their current affiliation. (MS)

Provides information regarding the place of women and gender-related topics in communication research in the past 20 years by examining the proportion of journal articles authored or co-authored by women and men, and the proportion of journal articles on communication and gender compared to articles on other topics. (MS)

Presents the results of a survey of perceived quality of doctoral programs in theater as rated by members of the Association for Communication Administration and members of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. (MS)

Compares the visual structuring of the 1976 and 1984 nationally televised presidential campaign debates, isolating changes in visual structuring that could interfere with the comprehension of verbal content, undermine the political purpose of the encounters, and promote unequal visual treatment of candidates. Reveals three changes in visual…

Investigates the potential of inoculation for promoting resistance to smoking onset among young adolescents. Provides data from a two-year study of efficacy of inoculation videos for promoting resistance to smoking. Suggests that, if resistance approaches are to have a chance of success, they must target young adolescents at the transition from…

Assesses the effectiveness of a teambuilding intervention among a group of department leaders. Finds that, three years after the intervention began, group members reported an increase in ability to raise issues and manage conflict; increases in mutual praise, support, and cooperation; clarification of roles and responsibilities; and a long-term…

Analyzes six years (from 1986 to 1991) of political debate and social action in the United States' war on drugs. Explores the characteristics of guilt-based, scapegoating drug rhetoric and how scapegoating in the drug war has been problematic. Discusses the desirability and limits of guilt as a rhetorical strategy. (HB)

Reports on two lab experiments which explored how undergraduate students process arguments and cues under ambiguous and uncertain conditions. Asks whether students use simultaneous processing or prefer exclusive processing. Indicates that students prefer exclusive processing, with no support for simultaneous. (HB)

Argues that political debates can usefully be viewed as a "televisual" form. Shows how audiences bring conventions to the viewing of debates grounded in forms dominating television narrative. Illustrates this perspective by analyzing debates in the 1984 United States Senatorial race between Jesse Helms and James Hunt. (HB)

Analyzes the public impact of the third 1992 presidential campaign debate by measuring voters' perceptions before, during, and after the debate. Examines five hypotheses concerning the effects of debates on voters. Finds that mediated debates are affected by channel and commentary. (HB)

Offers a comparative analysis of the historical dispute over protective legislation for women and the current controversy over fetal protection policies. Argues that, despite seeming dissimilarities, current symbols are attitudinally united with historical symbols, reducing the interests of all women to motherhood and thereby limiting women's…