Student perceptions of instructor verbal aggressiveness: The influence of student verbal aggressiveness and self‐esteem

This study explored the effects of student levels of trait verbal aggressiveness (VA) and self‐esteem on student perceptions of instructor verbal aggressiveness in the college classroom. Participants included 228 undergraduate students who completed a series of instruments measuring self‐reported levels of VA and self‐esteem, as well as instructor levels of VA in the classroom. Results indicated that students who reported moderate to high levels of trait VA rated their instructors as being more verbally aggressive than those students who reported low levels of trait VA. Likewise, students who reported low to moderate levels of self‐esteem rated their instructors as being more verbally aggressive than those students who reported high levels of self‐esteem. When combined, student VA and self‐esteem accounted for 7% of the shared variance in student perceptions of instructor VA.     

Temperament and socio‐communicative orientation

This study investigated the relationship of scores on temperament dimensions for both three‐ (Eysenck, 1985) and five‐factor (McCrae & John, 1992) models with scores on two dimensions of socio‐commu‐nicative orientation (Richmond & McCroskey, 1990). The Eysenck Personality Inventory and the Five‐Factor Model measure have previously been validated as measuring genetically‐based dimensions of temperament. Substantial variance in scores of both assertiveness and responsiveness were predictable by each of the temperamental models. These results suggest that socio‐communicative orientation (self‐perceptions) is likely genetically based. There is a need for additional research employing twin designs, and ultimately direct genetic testing, to confirm these results.     

Self‐monitoring and the cognitive editing of arguments

This report improves upon the authors’ previous investigations of naive actors’ argument standards in two ways: (a) by using a checklist to obtain subjects’ rationales for not using various arguments and (b) by using multiple operationalizations of each compliance gaining strategy. Overall results correspond generally to those of the earlier studies: effectiveness concerns account for 23.5% of rejections, principled objections to specific strategies for 15.7%, person‐centered issues for 26.1%, and discourse competence rules for 34.6%. The self‐monitoring scale has serious psychometric problems and does not strongly predict use of rejection criteria.     

Trait anticipatory public speaking anxiety as a function of self‐efficacy expectations and self‐handicapping strategies

The purpose of this study was to determine if the independent variables of self‐efficacy expectations and self‐handicapping strategies would predict trait anticipatory public speaking anxiety. A model was proposed and tested in which self‐efficacy expectations were found to be significant independent predictors of trait anticipatory public speaking anxiety. Self‐handicapping was not a significant predictor. Implications for future research are discussed.     

Self‐reports and observations of dominant communicator style and communication apprehension

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which the self‐reports and observations of extreme levels of both dominant communicator style and communication apprehension are congruent Data collected from teacher trainees did indicate that when extreme scores are used self‐reports and observations are more inclined to validate each other.     

Self‐regulation by stations∗

When a government operation is given all the money it asks for without question from the Congress, it means either that (a) it would be political suicide to turn them down, (b) that the national security is at stake, (c) that somebody goofed or that the Congress is past its normal adjournment date, or (d) that the operation is doing an outstanding job. When this situation arises several years in a row, and everyone insists that the fourth reason is the correct one, then it must be a very unusual operation. During the 20 years of its existence, RIAS (Radio in the American Sector of Berlin) often smoothly sailed through budget hearings at the same time that its parent State Department was receiving the roughest sort of Congressional treatment.

The story of RIAS is a fascinating one, following as it does every twist and turn in the relationships between the USA and the USSR over the problem of Berlin. The techniques employed by this station, and its relationships with its nominal superiors, offer food for thought not only to those interested in psychological warfare and propaganda, but to all those who are looking for ways to reach a target audience with a broadcast facility.     

Televised violence and related variables as predictors of self‐reported verbal aggression

This study explored the relationship among several predictors of verbally aggressive behavior. Of these, the exposure to televised models of verbal and physical aggression were thought to be of greatest importance. The results of the study confirmed recent theoretical and research evidence concerning predictors of aggression such as predisposition for aggressive behavior, sex, and exposure to real life aggression. The study did not, however, find any support for an association between exposure to televised violence and aggressive behavior.     

The effects of nonverbal reinforcement and interviewee‐interviewer relationship on interviewee's verbal response

Utilizing survey data from 99 nursing home residents in nursing home facilities serving Medicaid patients, this study investigated the relationship of interpersonal network involvement to perceived life satisfaction and perceived need accommodations. Each subject completed three survey instruments developed to measure (a) resident's perceived quality care, (b) residents’ satisfaction with personal need accommodation and (c) interpersonal network satisfaction. Residents’ perceptions of quality care (i.e., attitude of staff, food, and self‐selected social activities) and satisfaction with roommates are significant predictors of perceived needs being met. Further, residents are more satisfied with self‐selected relationships than with institutionally‐selected roommates.     

A refined view of download time impacts on e‐consumer attitudes and patronage intentions toward e‐retailers

Abstract

The following paper is a case study analysis of the Sony Corporation; a leading transnational media corporation in the production and sale of consumer electronics, music and film entertainment and videogame technology. There are two main parts to this study. Part I, examines the history and development of the Sony Corporation. This paper argues that the business strategies and corporate culture of a company are often a direct reflection of the person (or persons) who were responsible for developing the organization and its business mission. Part II. examines the Sony Corporation from the standpoint of business strategy. Special attention is given to the subject of organizational culture and strategic decision‐making. A second argument of this paper is that while Sony is a transnational media corporation, the organization is decidedly Japanese in its business values. The significance of this research lies in its revelations concerning the complex changes facing a company that was once historically Japanese in its origins but is tecoming increasingly transnational ïn scope and operations.     

Self‐report as an approach to measuring communication competence

Approaches to measurement of communication competence are reviewed. The self‐report approach to measurement of communication competence is examined. It is concluded that self‐reports have little validity as indicants of competent communicative performances but may serve as useful measures of self‐perceptions which may function as precursors of communicative choices. The Self‐Perceived Communication Competence scale is suggested as a measure which can he used for such purposes.     

Self‐Perceptions of communication effectiveness: An exploratory study

With increasing evidence of non‐maximal communication skills, an investigation of variables that could impact the inclination of students to continue development was undertaken. This study initiates exploration of student perceptions of communication effectiveness relative to self peers and people‐in‐general. Results indicate that most students perceive themselves to he very effective communicators and perceive others to be less effective. A reverse pattern was evidenced by high apprehensive students. The challenge for communication education is discussed. Potential action paths are elaborated.     

Professional attitudes toward a first‐course requirement in speech in central states colleges and universities

A discussion of the tendencies in the teaching of public speaking in college today, which presents a rationale for a study of the subject.     

The relationship between physicians’ use of power stategies and type a orientation in physician‐patient communication

Employing a two sample design, this study examined the relationship between physicians’ use of Behavior Alteration Techniques (BATs) and physicians’ type‐A orientation. Patient and physician respondents reported selection of antisocial BATs was a significant predictor of type‐A physicians.     

Language attitudes toward varieties of English: An American‐Japanese context

To our knowledge, no data exist on attitudes toward speakers with Japanese accented varieties of American English, an area of profound significance given increasing American‐Japanese contacts across a wide range of applied contexts. This “matched‐guise” study provides such by eliciting Americans’ reactions to a Japanese male talking on two different topics (aggressive versus neutral) using four language varieties (viz., standard, moderate‐accented, heavy‐accented, and disfluent). Speaker evaluations on status, attractiveness, and dynamism traits confirmed certain predictions based on the literature, but some surprising, yet interpretable, patterns emerged in this new domain of American‐Japanese inquiry. Specifically, it was found that Japanese‐accented speakers were evaluated in manner unlike all other non‐standard accented speakers of American English, except those of British and Malaysian background. It is suggested that perceptions of social group competitiveness may be responsible for this pattern of results which, in turn, is discussed in terms of its applied ramifications.     

Self‐report scales of communication apprehension and autonomic arousal (heart rate): A test of construct validity

Previous research has typically relied upon self‐report scales of communication apprehension without assessing construct validity. This study attempts to assess the construct validity of selected scales and the constructs “communication anxiety” and “communication fear.” The results indicate higher levels of physiological arousal increase for females. Only scales purporting to measure communication fear were able to predict an a priori product of communication apprehension autonomic arousal.     

Not like me: Self vs. other distinctions in first‐person perception

The third‐person perception hypothesis posits that people believe others are more influenced by media messages than they are. The existing literature consistently documents that individuals make self vs. other distinctions when assessing media effects, but not how such distinctions are made. The current study sought to document the self/ other distinction in third‐person perception and to assess differences in how individuals separate their own personal risk from that of others. Findings of a survey of 180 urban minority youth confirm the presence of third‐person perception and significant self/other distinctions in media effects. A clear split between cognitive and social predictors emerged when assessing differences in self/other distinctions. Participants relied on cognitive factors when assessing their own risk, while relying more heavily on self‐esteem when assessing the relative risk of others. Liking and trust of the media was the only shared correlate of self/other distinctions in third‐person perception.     

Adult‐child conflict control expectancies: Effects on taking conflict personally toward parents

This article examines how adult child conflict specific control expectancies influence the tendency to personalize conflict with parents. Adult children (N = 195) completed measures of conflict control expectancies and personalization of conflict specific to their parents. Multivariate Analyses of Variance revealed significant differences among adult children reporting internal, moderate, and external control orientations and conflict personalization dimensions of direct personalization, persecution feelings, stress reaction, and positive/negative relational effect.     

A test of a cultural model of patients' motivation for verbal communication in patient‐doctor interactions

In theory, two‐way communication between patient and physician is desirable. However, there is a dearth of research that has explored the effects of patients’ culture and cultural orientations on patients’ ability to actively participate in the medical encounter. The purpose of this paper was to test the effects of patients’ culture and cultural orientations on assertiveness and communication apprehension during medical interviews. According to the proposed model, culture and self‐construals are causal antecedents to patients’ beliefs about verbal communicativeness. Our model suggests that cultural values (self‐construals) are determined in part by culture. In regards to the mediation process, the model proposes that the greater the patient's construal‐of‐self as independent, the more positive her/his beliefs regarding patient participation, which, in turn, leads to a higher degree of motivations to communicate verbally with a physician. Our model also suggests that the greater the patient's construal‐of‐self as interdependent, the more negative her/his beliefs regarding patient participation, which, in turn, leads to a higher degree of communication avoidance and apprehension during medical interview. The data were partially consistent with the theoretical predictions made. The implications of the model for theory and practice are discussed.