Acculturation and Communication Traits: A study of Cross-Cultural Adaptation among Chinese in America

This study investigated the relationships between acculturation and communication traits. One hundred and seventy-five Chinese across from the United States participated in this study. Participants received a battery of questionnaires in the mail, including the measures of communication apprehension, willingness to communicate, communication competence, argumentativeness, general disclosiveness and cultural identity. Results indicated that as proportion of life in America increased, Chinese identified more with American culture; in turn, they became less fearful, more willing and competent in communication. Their self-disclosure also became less frequent and intimate, but more positive, with longer time living in America. These findings suggest that culture shapes communication traits through exposure to and identification with the host culture to some extent.     

The Relationships between Driver Anger and Aggressive Communication Traits

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between college students’ level of driver anger and their aggressive communication traits. Driving anger is an individual's tendency to become angry while driving. In 1994 the driving anger scale (DAS) identified six dimensions of driver anger: hostile gestures, illegal driving, police presence, slow driving, discourtesy, and traffic obstructions. Results of Pearson correlations show that police presence, slow driving, discourteous driving, and traffic obstructions were positively related to all of the aggressive communication traits. “Hostile gestures” was related to assertiveness. Illegal driving was related to indirect verbal aggression and assertiveness.     

Communication in a shared governance hospital: Managing emergent paradoxes

Shared Governance (SG) is a model of employee participation that is increasingly being implemented in hospitals. This paper examines communication processes that occur in SG by providing a case study of a Nursing Department at Western Hospital A review of literature related to SG in professional nursing provides a background for introducing a chronology of implementation in Western Hospital. Data was collected in long interviews conducted with 15 bedside/staff nurses. Nurse accounts revealed paradoxes that paralyze the SG process. Forms of paradox are discussed and examples of paradox are identified. Leaders must determine priorities in managing on‐site paradox and suggestions are offered for working within paradoxes to enhance organizational functioning.     

An Exploration of the Relationship Between Intercultural Communication Competence and Bilingualism

Research in intercultural communication competence (ICC) has flourished in the past several decades, arguably due to its relevance in an increasingly multicultural world. In fact the pervasive pragmatic relevance of effective and appropriate engagement with cultural diversity has spurred intercultural or cultural “competence” research in a variety of disciplines. While some scholars question the very concept of ICC as a Western formulation, researchers’ interest in studying the phenomenon of authentic, positive connection between individuals from different cultures is indisputable.     

Evaluating Physician Communication Competence Scales: A Replication and Extension

Academic entitlement, a term used to reflect students' expectation for success regardless of personal effort, has become a growing issue at many universities. This study examined the relationship between college students' academic beliefs (i.e., academic entitlement, grade orientation, learner orientation, self-efficacy) and their motives for communicating with their instructor. Participants were 184 undergraduate students who completed a series of self-report scales. Students' level of academic entitlement was positively related to their grade orientation but negatively related to their self-efficacy. Results of a canonical correlation revealed that students who were learning oriented, but not grade oriented, and possessed self-efficacy communicated with their instructor for relational and participatory reasons. Students who were academically entitled and grade oriented communicated with their instructor for sycophantic reasons and to a lesser extent for participatory reasons but not for functional reasons.     

Self-Perceived Communication Competence in Iranian Culture

Understanding of how different cultures value intercultural communication and communication competence is of considerable importance (Dilbeck, McCroskey, Richmond, & McCroskey, 2009 Dilbeck , K. E. , McCroskey , J. C. , Richmond , V. P. , & McCroskey , L. L. ( 2009 ). Self-percieved communication competence in the Thai culture . Journal of Intercultural Communication Research , 38 , 1 – 7 .[Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). This research aims to investigate Iranian culture values related to self-perceived communication competence, which is reported to be a strong predictor of willingness to communicate (McCroskey & Richmond, 1990 McCroskey , J. C. , & Richmond , V. P. ( 1990 ). Willingness to communicate: Differing cultural perspectives . Southern Communication Journal , 56 , 72 – 77 .[Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). The Self-Perceived Communication Competence (SPCC) instrument was used to measure the communication competence self-perceptions of more than 700 Iranian university students regarding various contexts and with various receivers. Results indicate that participants feel more competent communicating in dyads and group context and with friend and acquaintance receivers, while less competent when talking with strangers or in public and meetings.     

The Relationships Among Perfectionism,Communication Apprehension,and Temperament

This study investigated the relationships among perfectionism, communication apprehension (CA), and temperament. Perfectionism is a multidimensional construct that includes an adaptive factor (i.e., having high standards for oneself) and a maladaptive factor (i.e., being unable to feel accomplishment in reaching excessively high standards; Flett & Hewitt, 2002 Flett , G. L. , & Hewitt , P. L. ( 2002 ). Perfectionism and maladjustment: An overview of theoretical, definitional, and treatment issues . In G. L. Flett , & P. L. Hewitt (Eds.), Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment (pp. 5 – 32 ). Washington , D.C. : American Psychological Association .[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]). Results revealed a negative relationship between adaptive perfectionism and CA, and a positive relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and CA. Furthermore, adaptive perfectionism was found to be positively related to extraversion and negatively related to neuroticism and psychoticism, whereas maladaptive perfectionism was found to be positively related to neuroticism and negatively related to extraversion.     

Communication Apprehension and Imagined Interactions

Communication apprehension (CA) is associated with fear of anticipated communication. Yet, imagined interactions (IIs) can help reduce fear of communication in which individuals use mental imagery before and after to prepare and review communication. A series of regression analyses in which characteristics of IIs were the independent variables was used to predict overall CA, as well as in four different contexts. The regression analysis indicated that CA could be predicted by the II characteristic of discrepancy across multiple contexts. The II catharsis function was predictive in one context. Results are discussed in terms of cognitive modification as a therapeutic technique for treating CA.     

The Constitutive Relationship of Social Communication Competence to Self-Compassion and Hope

Communication is constitutive—in theory. In research, however, communication is often treated as an outcome, influenced by personal attributes. The present research examines social communication competence as a constitutive influence predicting self-compassion and hope. Path analysis results support this hypothesis. Results show that social communication expressivity (β = .14), sensitivity (β = –.32), and control (β = .20) predict self-compassion. Social communication sensitivity (β = .26) and control (β = .27) affect hope agency, and social communication control (β = .29) predicts hope pathways thinking. These results provide evidence of the constitutive nature of communication.     

The Relationship between Self- and Other-Perceptions of Communication Competence and Friendship Quality

This study explored dyadic effects of communication competence, assessed through self-perceptions and other-perceptions, on relationship quality in same-sex platonic friendships. Undergraduate students recruited a same-sex platonic friend to participate in this study along with them. Participants (N = 310; dyads = 155) completed an online questionnaire assessing their own and their partner's communication competence as well as their own relationship satisfaction and commitment. Results from actor-partner interdependence model analyses revealed both actor and partner effects for self-perceptions and other-perceptions of communication competence on relationship satisfaction and commitment. Additionally, partners’ other-perceptions of communication competence moderated the relationship between actors’ other-perceptions of communication competence and relationship commitment.     

A Typological Examination of Communication Competence and Mental Health in Stepchildren

Despite continued interest in communication and family functioning, researchers have been challenged to adequately describe the complicated dynamics and complex configurations of stepfamilies. This study extends previous stepfamily research by classifying stepchildren according to their beliefs and experiences with key dimensions of stepfamily life, and by examining differences in perceptions of communication competence and mental health among different stepfamily types. Participants included 586 stepchildren from four different states who completed a series of survey measures. Results of cluster and discriminant analyses revealed five discrete types of stepfamilies, including bonded, functional, ambivalent, evasive, and conflictual stepfamilies. Estimates of validity for the typology revealed significant differences in self-reported communication competence and mental health among the five stepfamily types, as well as significant differences in perceptions of mothers’ and stepparents’ communication competence.     

The Relationship Between Counseling Self-Efficacy and Communication Skills of Volunteer Rape Crisis Advocates

This research examines the relationships between communication competence, communication anxiety, and five subdimensions of counseling self-efficacy. The sample consists of volunteers trained at two rape crisis centers (n = 63) over a one-year period. As hypothesized, communication anxiety was negatively related and communication competence positively related to the subdimensions of counseling self-efficacy. Results suggest that training programs need to be aware of how personality characteristics may affect a volunteer's ability to become an efficacious counselor. Implications for how rape crisis centers can integrate these communication issues into their training programs and improve the self-efficacy of their advocates are discussed.     

An Examination of Aggression and Adaption Traits with Moral Foundation

ABSTRACT

Moral Foundation Theory forwards that morality is a traitlike disposition that guides one's behaviors, attitudes, and communication. This study examined the relationship between participants' moral foundations and their aggressive and adaptation communication traits. Results of this study suggest that the foundations that concern others (i.e., harm/care and fairness/reciprocity) were associated negatively to verbal aggressiveness, argumentativeness, and Machiavellianism and associated positively with responsiveness, assertiveness, and cognitive flexibility. The foundations that concern socially binding constructs (i.e., in-group/loyalty, authority/respect, and purity/sanctity) were negatively related to Machiavellianism and cognitive flexibility.     

The Theory of Planned Behavior and College Students' Willingness to Talk about Smoking-Related Behaviors

More than 60% of college students admit to trying smoking (Rigotti, Lee, & Wechsler, 2000 Rigotti , N. , Lee , J. E. , & Wechsler , H. ( 2000 ). U.S. college students' use of tobacco products: Results of a national survey . Journal of the American Medical Association , 284 , 699 – 706 .[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). To reduce this number, researchers have attempted to determine factors influencing smoking behaviors. However, studies about communicative acts related to smoking intentions and behaviors, which may be factors, are lacking. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study hypothesized that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding communicating about smoking would be positively associated with behavioral intentions to engage in such communication. It was found that students' attitudes toward communicating about smoking were positively associated with behavioral intention, but perceived behavioral control and subjective norms concerning smoking-related communication behaviors were not associated with behavioral intention.     

The Physiology of Argumentative Skill Deficiency: Cognitive Ability,Emotional Competence,Communication Qualities,and Responses to Conflict

This study drew upon the argumentative skill deficiency model to advance hypotheses linking cognitive ability and emotional competence to the prominence of loudness, criticism, disagreement, and sarcasm in conflict interactions between dating partners. Hypotheses also predicted that these communication qualities amplify physiological stress responses to conflict interactions, as indexed by measures of salivary cortisol. One hundred college-aged students (50 romantic couples) participated in a dyadic interaction in which they discussed a source of conflict in their relationship. Structural equation analyses evaluated an actor–partner interdependence model in which personal qualities predicted communication qualities that, in turn, predicted amplitude of cortisol change. Results indicated partial support for our hypotheses.     

Need for Cognition as a Mediating Variable Between Aggressive Communication Traits and Tolerance for Disagreement

This study examined the need for cognition as a mediator between aggressive communication traits and tolerance for disagreement. Previous research suggests that argumentativeness is a positive predictor of tolerance for disagreement, while verbal aggressiveness is a negative predictor of tolerance for disagreement. Our findings indicate that need for cognition positively mediates the relationship between argumentativeness and tolerance for disagreement, as well as verbal aggressiveness and tolerance for disagreement.     

Cultural Competence and Institutional Contradictions: The Hydropower Referendum

This study explores a corporate campaign to pass a referendum to enable the development of a hydropower plant in a small Swedish community. In the changing institutional context that grounds this case, the organization needed to develop communicative practices that embodied “cultural competence,” a set of processes identified as critical for the legitimacy and success of business organizations in the emerging global/intersectoral environment. Findings suggest that the MNC's communication strategy captured important components of cultural competence. However, institutional contradictions impeded enactment of the strategy and resulted in delegitimizing paradoxical communication. The results indicate that organizational awareness of institutional change and culturally competent strategy are insufficient without special attention to contradictions and resultant communicative paradoxes embodied within a particular institutional context. The importance of a reflective communication approach that engages contradictions and tensions in the surrounding micro–macro institutional contexts is underscored.     

Examining the Bidirectional Nature of Topic Avoidance and Relationship Dissatisfaction: The Moderating Role of Communication Skills

This study examined the bidirectional nature of the association between one's own topic avoidance and relationship dissatisfaction. It also explored how perceptions of a dating partner's communication competence and one's own communication efficacy affect this association. Three hundred undergraduates tracked their topic avoidance with their dating partner over a two week period. The results provided modest support for the idea that the association between topic avoidance and dissatisfaction is bidirectional for women, but not men. In addition, for men and women, global dissatisfaction with their dating relationship was a stronger predictor of daily topic avoidance (than daily topic avoidance was of daily dissatisfaction). Initial global levels of relationship dissatisfaction predicted greater levels of topic avoidance and this effect was quite stable over time, particularly for women. The results also revealed that the perception of a partner's communication incompetence was indirectly associated with increases in topic avoidance over time only because it affected one's communication efficacy. Finally, the results indicated that women who were highly efficacious were particularly dissatisfied by their topic avoidance over time.     

Student Communication Motives and Interpersonal Attraction Toward Instructor

Instructional communication research has not specifically focused on the impact of student classroom communication behaviors on the student-teacher relationship. The current study investigated the relationship between student motives to communicate with instructors and interpersonal attraction toward them. Canonical correlation results indicated student levels of physical, social, and task attraction were positively related to their motivation to establish a relationship, and expressing interest in class and task attraction was inversely related to participatory, excuse-making, and sycophantic motives. Regression analyses determined students' relational motivations as the greatest predictor of social and physical attraction, while excuse-making was the greatest predictor of task attraction.     

Communication Skills,Social Support,and Burnout among Advocates in a Domestic Violence Agency

Intimate partner violence affects millions of lives annually. Domestic violence advocates work to alleviate this problem; yet the nature of the work leaves them vulnerable to negative outcomes such as burnout. This study examined the relationships between communication anxiety, communication competence, perceived social support, and feelings of burnout among domestic violence advocates. Results from a survey of 69 individuals recruited from a US domestic violence agency show the combination of communication anxiety, communication competence, perceived emotional support, and perceived informational support accounted for approximately 13% of the variance in advocates' emotional exhaustion and 21% of the variance in advocates' experiences of reduced personal accomplishment. Responses also differ with the advocate's position in the agency. The following recommendations are offered: develop scenario-based communication skills training programs to reduce communication anxiety and increase communication competence, hold regular debriefing meetings to help advocates process their experiences and to receive peer support, and develop formalized mentoring programs that can provide social support for new workers.