Showing papers in "Communication Monographs in 1973"
TL;DR: In this article, five groups of accented seventeen-year-olds from Britain were matched for sex, regional membership, and attitude toward capital punishment for murder, and presented with the same persuasive message against capital punishment.
Abstract: Five groups of accented seventeen‐year‐olds from Britain were matched for sex, regional membership, and attitude toward capital punishment for murder. These groups were presented with the same persuasive message against capital punishment. Four of the groups heard the message on tape in a different accent produced by a speaker adopting the matched‐guise technique; the fifth group was given a typescript of the message. The results showed that the greater the accent prestige of the communicator's voice, the greater the perceived quality of the argument. Only the nonstandard regional accented messages, however, changed listeners’ attitudes significantly in the predicted direction.
97 citations
TL;DR: For instance, this article found that behavioral regularity attends leave-taking, signalling inaccessibility and signalling supportiveness, and that these verbal and nonverbal termination behaviors vary according to the situational and relational constraints that bind two communicators.
Abstract: Human communication research has identified and investigated numerous aspects of interpersonal transactions, but has largely ignored the process by which people terminate these encounters. Through controlled observation and laboratory testing, this study sought answers to the following questions: (1) What specific verbal and nonverbal behaviors are associated with the termination of communicative exchanges; and (2) Do these verbal and nonverbal termination behaviors vary according to the situational and relational constraints that bind two communicators. Twenty‐five behavior styles were scrutinized during eighty interviews. Results indicated that behavioral regularity attends leave‐taking—signalling inaccessibility and signalling supportiveness.
92 citations
TL;DR: This article found that those persons who are clinically diagnosed appear to respond best to a directive therapy-teaching treatment program, in which the setting of behavioral goals represents the keystone of the treatment.
Abstract: Reticence as a composite of behaviors appears similar to a number of neurotic disorders. Reticence can be diagnosed by clinical observation and interview; other measures have failed to produce a truly reticent population. Those persons who are clinically diagnosed appear to respond best to a directive therapy‐teaching treatment program, in which the setting of behavioral goals represents the keystone of the treatment. There appears to be close association between reticent behavior and the inability to specify the details of behavior classified either as desirable or undesirable. Thus, forcing subjects to concentrate on specific phrasing provides a test of success or failure for them, and builds rewards and punishments into the training program. While clinicians have reported considerable success, more precise measures of effectiveness of treatment are needed.
75 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored relationships between employees' speech characteristics within job interview situations and employers' hiring decisions using semantic differential instruments, and examined employer attitudes toward speech samples and relationships between these attitudes and employment decisions.
Abstract: This research explored relationships between employees’ speech characteristics within job interview situations and employers’ hiring decisions. Using semantic differential instruments, the researchers examined employer attitudes toward speech samples and relationships between these attitudes and employment decisions. Results revealed a stable three‐factor model describing employers’ perceptions of employees’ speech characteristics. This model, however, was only partially successful as a predictor of employment decisions.
74 citations
TL;DR: The authors investigated the variability of scales representing four factors of source credibility and the overall factor structure of subjects' perceptions of and attributions to a message source, and found that scales representing factors of sources credibility will change over time.
Abstract: This study investigated the variability of scales representing four factors of source credibility and the overall factor structure of subjects’ perceptions of and attributions to a message source. The results confirmed the hypotheses that (1) scales representing factors of source credibility will change over time, and (2) the factor structure (the number of significant factors and the amount of variance accounted for by the factors) would also change over time. The authors suggest that if the view is accepted that communication is an ongoing dynamic process, then an individual's experiences in the communication setting and the variables affecting perceptions of the process will be expected to change continually.
68 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify the aggregate or central symbols which characterize the different stages in the process of consciousness raising in a small group and examine the reliability, prior reported results, methodology, and future studies of small groups.
Abstract: The primary purpose of this study was to identify the aggregate or central symbols which characterize the different stages in consciousness raising. The researchers tape‐recorded several consciousness raising sessions. The results of the study indicated that in moving through a four‐stage process, participants generally created a new identity for themselves (Stage One), perceived themselves as pitted against agents of the establishment (Stage Two), denied establishment values for newly created values (Stage Three), and finally agreed to support the liberation efforts of unrecognized oppressed groups, hence broadening the revolution (Stage Four). An examination of consciousness raising as a small group technique appears to have important implications regarding the reliability, prior reported results, methodology, and future studies of small groups.
60 citations
TL;DR: This paper found a positive linear relationship between language intensity and resistance to persuasion when supportive pre-treatment messages were employed; moreover, a predicted curvilinear relationship was found when differing levels of intense language were used in refutational pretreatment messages.
Abstract: This investigation posited an interaction between type of message strategy (supportive or refutational) and level of language intensity used in messages attempting to induce resistance to subsequent persuasive appeals. As predicted, there was a positive linear relationship between language intensity and resistance to persuasion when supportive pre‐treatment messages were employed; moreover, a predicted curvilinear relationship was found when differing levels of intense language were used in refutational pretreatment messages. Results are discussed in terms of the mediating effects of language variable in inoculation and congruity theory predictions.
53 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a study was conducted to test the hypothesis that if all other source qualifications and the message content are held constant, receivers will rate a male communicator as more competent than a female communicator.
Abstract: This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that if all other source qualifications and the message content are held constant, receivers will rate a male communicator as more competent than a female communicator. The predicted male chauvinistic effect was observed, and the effect was somewhat more pronounced for female receivers than for male receivers.
45 citations
TL;DR: This paper used a Markov model to map the relationships between interview styles, time, and patterns of communication, and found that the structure of any one interview system was quite stable over time.
Abstract: This study focused on patterns of verbal behavior embedded in the interview process rather than on externalfactors as predictors of outcome. A Markov model was used to map the relationships between interviewer styles, time, and patterns of communication. Each interview was conceptualized as a system, and the categories of verbal behavior were treated as the finite number of states the system could ocupy. Thirteen‐state and three‐state models of the interview systems were constructed which displayed both state probabilities and transition probabilities of the system's states. The basic finding was that although each interview system had different probability structures, the structure of any one system was quite stable over time.
45 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss and evaluate the criticisms regarding the methodological and theoretical development of their Speech Monographs article on heart rate as an index of speech anxiety, and evaluate their work.
Abstract: The authors of this research report discuss and evaluate the criticisms regarding the methodological and theoretical development of their Speech Monographs article on “Heart Rate as an Index of Speech Anxiety.”
36 citations
TL;DR: This paper investigated the influence that speaker characteristics other than dimensions of source credibility may have in the formation of listeners' impressions of speaker credibility and found that the responses followed a simple information averaging model in about 80% of all cases for the remaining 20% of the listeners, however, there was a significant interaction between traits.
Abstract: This study investigated the influence that speaker characteristics other than dimensions of source credibility may have in the formation of listeners’ impressions of speaker credibility It was found that the responses followed a simple information averaging model in about 80% of all cases For the remaining 20% of the listeners, however, there was a significant interaction between traits This mixed effect suggests caution in the interpretation of results of credibility studies It was found further that all positive and negative source credibility dimensions can be treated safely as equal in weight, except for the negative pole of the Trustworthiness dimension; an untrustworthy speaker, regardless of his other qualities, was viewed as a questionable message source
TL;DR: In this article, a total of 201 spoonerism slips were analyzed in terms of eight linguistic variables, and the results demonstrated significant tendencies for spoonerisms to conform to several linguistic conditions, thus permitting inferences as to the optimal conditions for these slips, and providing potential hypotheses for determining the cognitive processes responsible for these psycholinguistic accidents.
Abstract: Spoonerisms, the type of verbal slip in which speech sounds are transposed, were subjected in this study to descriptive linguistic analysis. The immediate purpose was to specify the optimal conditions for spoonerism slips in order to facilitate an eventual understanding of the encoding process responsible for this psycholinguistic phenomenon. A total of 201 spoonerism slips was analyzed in terms of eight linguistic variables. The results demonstrated significant tendencies for spoonerisms to conform to several linguistic conditions, thus permitting inferences as to the optimal conditions for these slips, and providing potential hypotheses for determining the cognitive processes responsible for these psycholinguistic accidents.
TL;DR: In this paper, two hypotheses were examined using attribution theory and interpersonal attraction literature as a framework, and it was shown that persons receiving information consistent with their attributional tendency would be more attracted to the information source than would persons receiving attributional information inconsistent with their own attributionality.
Abstract: Using attribution theory and interpersonal attraction literature as a framework, two hypotheses were examined in the present study. The first hypothesis predicted that persons who succeed at a task would tend to perceive their success as internally caused, while failure at a task would tend to be seen as externally caused. Hypothesis two predicted that persons receiving information consistent with their attributional tendency would be more attracted to the information source than would persons receiving attributional information inconsistent with their own attributional tendency. The attribution and attraction data obtained in the experiment supported the two hypotheses.
TL;DR: The authors argued that the conservative voice is not the only one heard in radical rhetoric, but is an important tendency, but only one strain among many, drawing from the rhetoric of Gay Lib and Women's Lib, as well as from cries for Black freedom.
Abstract: The radical rhetoric that has marked the late 1960's and early 1970's has been and continues to be diverse Much of this rhetoric, however, seems to be in response to clear divisions that carry with them orders of privilege By appealing to well established values, some who have been exploited by the working of the system, have sought to reverse the scale of privilege In so doing, ironically, they sound a quite conservative voice This contention may be illustrated by drawing from the rhetoric of Gay Lib and Women's Lib, as well as from cries for Black freedom But in no way does the argument contend that the conservative voice is the only one heard in radical rhetoric It is an important tendency, but only one strain among many
TL;DR: This paper investigated the relationship of language redundancy and self orientation to the achievement of group consensus and found that statements from groups achieving consensus were less redundant and showed less self orientation than those not achieving consensus.
Abstract: This study investigated the relationship of language redundancy and self orientation to achievement of group consensus. Statements from groups achieving consensus were less redundant and showed less self orientation than statements from groups not achieving consensus. Self motivation may hinder a group in the attempt to reach consensus.
TL;DR: The mean length of verbalization of 56 four-year-old Head Start children was measured in four communication patterns (dyad, triad, small group, and roleplaying triad).
Abstract: The mean length of verbalization of 56 four‐year‐old Head Start children was measured in four communication patterns—dyad, triad, small group, and role‐playing triad. The children produced more speech in the small group than in the dyad. Differences between other patterns were not significant. Similar results were obtained when repetitions of words and phrases were eliminated. Females produced, more speech than males in all communication patterns.
TL;DR: The authors argue that the salience of beliefs about an attitude object (their elicitability) is an independent dimension of persuasion theory and propose a revision of Fishbein's summation theory to take this dimension into account and expand the explanatory range of the theory to include and predict temporary effects.
Abstract: In this paper the authors argue that the salience of beliefs about an attitude object (their elicitability) is an independent dimension of persuasion theory. A revision of Fishbein's summation theory is offered to take this dimension into account and to expand the explanatory range of the theory to include and predict temporary effects. Experimental support for the revision is offered. The authors argue for further revision of the attitude construct as borrowed from psychology. Communication scholars should distinguish between changes in “attitudinal tendency” and changes in “manifest attitude.”
TL;DR: In this article, a scheme comprising three dimensions (concreteness, iconicity, and conventionality) is proposed as a model for relating symbols to their concepts and their users.
Abstract: This study attempts a new approach to the problem of “meaning.” The authors are concerned primarily with meanings as they are encountered by decoders rather than as they are devised by encoders, and they focus almost exclusively on cognitive rather than on emotional aspects of meaning. A scheme comprising three dimensions—concreteness, iconicity, and conventionality—is proposed as a model for relating symbols to their concepts and their users. Emphasis is on ease or difficulty of decoding symbols in the cognitive realm. Experimentation is recommended for testing the hypotheses advanced in this approach.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss methodological and theoretical problems which they find in the Speech Monographs article on "Heart Rate as an Index of Speech Anxiety" by Ralph Behnke and Larry Carlile.
Abstract: The authors of this research report list and discuss certain methodological and theoretical problems which they find in the Speech Monographs article on “Heart Rate as an Index of Speech Anxiety” by Ralph Behnke and Larry Carlile.
TL;DR: This article examined the perceptual patterns of the speech and found that Nixon's remarks led to a climax which justified the war on ritualistic rather than Cold War premises, and called for the rhetorical critic to become aware of ritualistic elements in public communication.
Abstract: This essay examines President Nixon's April 30, 1970 address announcing the American incursion into Cambodia. Examining the perceptual patterns of the speech, the authors found that Nixon's remarks led to a climax which justified the war on ritualistic rather than Cold War premises. The last third of the speech was content analyzed. The resulting term clusters were then interpreted for their symbolic significance. The authors found the President's remarks in conformity with the potlatch ceremony of the Kwakiutl Indians. The essay concludes by relating the perceptual patterns and analogical matrix of the potlatch to trends which may be developing on the international scene, and calls for the rhetorical critic to become aware of ritualistic elements in public communication.
Abstract: The affective and cognitive dimensions of attitudinal structure in Martin Fishbein's theory have been investigated rather thoroughly. Little research, however, has been conducted on the function of saliency in such a structure. While previous research has almost exclusively applied Fishbein's theory to impression formation and person perception, the present study adapted the theory to the prediction of attitude toward a proposed change in policy. Saliency in cognitive structure was conceptualized as the perceived importance to “self” and “others” of the consequences associated with the proposal. The addition to the theory of perceived importance of consequences significantly improved its strength in predicting attitude toward a proposed change in policy.
TL;DR: The authors considers and comments upon the research in oral interpretation of the immediate past as it appears in these, dissertations, books, national and regional speech journals, and national convention programs.
Abstract: This report, first and in summary fashion, considers and comments upon the research in oral interpretation of the immediate past as it appears in these, dissertations, books, national and regional speech journals, and national convention programs. Next, and in more detail, it explores a few of the questions that need researchers’ attention in the future. The report is strongly indebted to a group of scholars in oral interpretation who responded to the problem of priorities for research in the seventies.
TL;DR: In an experimental study, closed‐circuit television was used to test whether visual and/or audio responses from a listener increased communication accuracy, and the findings suggested that the audio channel carried the information necessary to improve communication.
Abstract: In an experimental study, closed‐circuit television was used to test whether visual and/or audio responses from a listener increased communication accuracy. Thirty‐two dyads were drawn randomly from the male and female populations of the basic speech course at Florida State University, Analysis of covariance was used to adjust for the influence of interaction time. The findings suggested that the audio channel carried the information necessary to improve communication, and the visual channel provided auxiliary feedback which was inefficacious without the audio. A secondary finding indicated that within feedback conditions accuracy is independent of times.
TL;DR: The authors found that evaluator status may either strengthen or weaken the effects of reward criteria on participant participation in group discussion, when the status variable is manipulated directly such differences are not observed.
Abstract: While previous studies in speech communication have reported that the presence of a high status evaluator inhibits verbal participation in group discussion, the present study suggests that when the status variable is manipulated directly such differences are not observed. This study indicates further that differences in the frequency and quality of participation are linked to differences in reward criteria. Some support was found for the argument that evaluator status may either strengthen or weaken the effects of reward criteria on participation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors replicated the findings of Hylton and Lashbrook on the use of computer simulation as a basis for adapting messages to apathetic and neutral audiences, finding that the recommendations of the computer were more sound for the neutral than for the apathetic audience.
Abstract: This research sought to replicate the findings of Hylton and Lashbrook on the use of computer simulation as a basis for adapting messages to apathetic and neutral audiences. Results indicated that by following the advice of the computer model, persuasive messages were produced. In terms of adaptations, however, the recommendations of the computer were more sound for the neutral than for the apathetic audience. Post hoc analysis revealed that apathetic and neutral audience members responded differently from those favorable to the message topic.
TL;DR: In this article, a series of studies investigates the potential usefulness of William Schutz's theory of interpersonal relations orientations for the study of communication and concludes that FIRO•B may be structurally biased against the interpersonal need to control or be controlled and that the compatibility measures derived from the test, although useful for examining certain broadgauge predictions, do not permit intensive analysis of the functional relationship between interpersonal orientations and communicative processes in dyads.
Abstract: This series of studies investigates the potential usefulness of William Schutz's theory of interpersonal relations orientations for the study of communication. Based on their analysis of the descriptive and explanatory power of scores produced by responses to Schutz's instrument, FIRO‐B, the authors challenge the three‐dimensional classification of interpersonal needs as well as the argument concerning three distinct forms of interpersonal compatibility. The results indicate that FIRO‐B may be structurally biased against the interpersonal need to control or be controlled and that the compatibility measures derived from the test, although useful for examining certain broadgauge predictions, do not permit intensive analysis of the functional relationship between interpersonal orientations and communicative processes in dyads.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors of the treatises of Rutilius Lupus, Aquila Romanus, Julius Rufinianus, and several anonymous authors are reviewed and the development of figurist doctrine from the first century B.C. to the fourth century A.D.
Abstract: While stylistic rhetorics of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance are relatively well‐known, the ancient Latin works on figures of speech and thought have not attracted much attention. This paper extends our knowledge of the stylistic movement by surveying the extant classical Latin texts exclusively devoted to rhetorical figures. The treatises of Rutilius Lupus, Aquila Romanus, Julius Rufinianus and of several anonymous authors are reviewed and the development of figurist doctrine from the first century B.C. to the fourth century A.D. is sketched. It is suggested that the classical manuals on figures of thought and speech were similar in both form and content to the stylistic rhetorics of later generations and that we should regard the stylistic pattern as a single tradition which persists from the Hellenistic era through the seventeenth century A.D.
TL;DR: For instance, the authors found that subjects have more difficulty rating scale-concept pairs with mixed than with matched meaning domains, and indicated considerable subject-scale interaction in the measuring instrument.
Abstract: Subjects were asked to rate five intensional and five extensional concepts on a battery of fifteen intensional and fifteen extensional semantic differential scales. An extra measurement was added to the usual semantic differential instrument so that subjects could indicate whether they were using each scale in an intensional or an extensional manner. Results supported previous findings that subjects have more difficulty rating scale‐concept pairs with mixed than with matched meaning domains, and indicated considerable subject‐scale interaction in the measuring instrument.
TL;DR: The authors compared factors influencing voting behavior in a presidential election with similar factors in a congressional election and found that while several generalizations about voting behaviour in presidential elections did apply to the congressional race, some generalizations concerning the effects of early and late decision-making and cross-pressures could not be substantiated.
Abstract: This study compared factors influencing voting behavior in a presidential election with similar factors in a congressional election. The panel technique was utilized to study such characteristics as indecision and vote crystallization upon image conceptualization. A stratified random sample of residents in Iowa City, Iowa served as respondents for each of three waves of interviews during the 1970 congressional campaign. The results indicated that while several generalizations about voting behavior in presidential elections did apply to the congressional race, some generalizations concerning the effects of early and late decision‐making and cross‐pressures could not be substantiated.
TL;DR: In this paper, a sample of politicians made ethical evaluations concerning a variety of common television production decisions, and a factor analysis of legislators' responses extracted two higher order factors, one dealing with required editorial simplification, and the other concerning intentional distortion.
Abstract: Given the subtle norms associated with television journalistic production techniques, the following question was posited: Can a sample of politicians make ethical evaluations concerning a variety of common television production decisions? A factor analysis of legislators’ responses extracted two higher order factors—one dealing with required editorial simplification, and the other concerning intentional distortion.