Out of Sight, (Not Yet) Out of Mind: The Impact of Tie Strength on Direct Interaction and Social Surveillance Among Geographically Close and Long-Distance Facebook Friends

Social networking sites are considered a valuable resource to maintain existing friendships even over considerable distances. The present study emphasizes tie strength as a crucial determinant for the use of interactive and passive features among 302 active Facebook users and friends of different relational closeness (close friends vs. casual friends vs. acquaintances) as well as a moderator for the impact of physical distance. As expected, tie strength affected direct interaction linearly, whereas social surveillance followed a quadratic trend. Furthermore, moderation analyses revealed less frequent direct interaction between close friends and stronger surveillance of casual friends’ profiles as physical distance increases. These results indicate different functions in relationship maintenance for both behaviors as direct interaction aims at nurturing current relationships, while surveillance serves as a catalyst for promising future communications. As a consequence, physical distance influences direct interaction adversely due to emerging constraints but also contains informational value encouraging information-seeking behaviors.     

Sex and sex‐composition differences and similarities in peer workplace friendship development

Employees reported the history of their friendships with peer coworkers, rating the importance of several developmental influences and a variety of communication changes as their friendships experienced three transitions: acquaintance‐to friend, friend‐to‐close friend, and close friend‐to very close/almost best friend. Results indicate that in same‐sex friendships, the influence of workplace contextual factors (e.g., sharing tasks and proximity) decreased and the influence of extra organizational influences increased as the friendships became closer. In cross‐sex friendships, however, workplace contextual factors retained their importance over the development of the friendship, suggesting individuals in cross‐sex friendships try to maintain the boundary between work and personal spheres by keeping their friendships defined as a “workplace” relationship.     

Examining Relational Maintenance in Parasocial Relationships

This study investigates relational maintenance in parasocial relationships (PSRs) by applying an interpersonal model of friendships (the investment model) and an exploratory mediated model. Undergraduate students (N = 490) reported on their relationships with a close friend and a favorite mediated personality. Despite differences in the strengths of associations, the investment model largely predicted commitment in PSRs through similar processes as it did in friendships. Specifically, greater relational investment and satisfaction predicted relational commitment. Unlike in interpersonal relationships, though, attractiveness of alternatives was unrelated to commitment in PSRs. The study further found that parasocial strength was predicted by identification with and commitment to the character and by the character's integration within a larger social network. The findings extend past applications of interpersonal theories to the media context and support the importance of assessing relational commitment, investment, and network status in PSRs.     

Communication competence problematics in ethnic friendships

This study examines the relationship between ethnic background and emergent cultural competencies in friendships in the United States. A discursive, interpretive perspective served to delineate normative dimensions in competent intra‐and intercultural friendships involving Latinos, Asian Americans, African Americans, and Anglo Americans. Competence was approached as a problematic set of predicaments in which interlocutors co‐construct identities and coordinate action. Similarities and differences in competencies were pinpointed through identification of norms—appropriate conduct for ethnic identity, gender, and relationship—as well as outcomes‐the resulting feelings about self, other, the topic, and the friendship. The competencies identified in this study are consistent with core symbols identified in the discourse of friends in previous studies, in that Latinos emphasized relational support, Asian Americans emphasized a caring, positive exchange of ideas, African Americans emphasized respect and acceptance, and Anglo Americans emphasized recognizing the needs of the individual.     

Negative relational events and event responses across relationship‐type: Examining and comparing the impact of conflict strategy‐use on intimacy in same‐sex friendships,opposite‐sex friendships and romantic relationships

This study examined negative events and conflict response in individuals’ “closest”; relationships. Sillars’ (1980a,b) typology of conflict responses (avoidance, distributive, integrative) with roommates was applied to individuals ‘ closest relationships. Individuals reported romantic partners, same‐ or opposite‐sex friends as their “closest”; relationship. Results indicated that negative events varied by relationship‐type and that individuals in romantic relationships felt closer to their partner than those in same‐ or opposite‐sex friendships. Participants in this study reported using integrative strategies most across relationship‐type in response to conflict. Individuals using integrative strategies reported significantly higher current relational intimacy than those who used avoidance or distributive strategies. Discussion and implications follow.     

An Examination of Relational Uncertainty,Romantic Intent,and Attraction on Communicative and Relational Outcomes in Cross-Sex Friendships

This investigation explored the impact of relational uncertainty and its correlates (i.e., attraction and romantic intent) on cognitive, communicative, and behavioral outcomes in cross-sex friendships. Participants included 352 people who reported on a current cross-sex friendship. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that social attraction increased relational satisfaction while relational uncertainty decreased relational satisfaction. Further, social attraction decreased topic avoidance while romantic intent and relational uncertainty increased topic avoidance. Finally, social attraction increased the use of relationship talk, routine contact and activity, and emotional support maintenance behaviors, while relational uncertainty decreased the use of these maintenance behaviors. This study provides researchers with a starting point for understanding the consequences associated with interpersonal attraction, romantic intent, and relational uncertainty in cross-sex friendships.     

Stasis∗

This research investigates retrospective participant accounts of a communication event in the development of close relationships—"Our First Big Fight” (FBF). The event is contextualized in terms of theories of relationship development, the role of conflict in development, and empirical studies of both turning points and critical events in close relationships. Open‐ended interviews were conducted with couples whose relationships had survived their FBF, couples who had not yet had an FBF, and individuals who had recently broken up with their relational partners as a result of their FBF. The data were analyzed through a procedure consistent with the grounded theory approach. Results indicate four conditions leading up to the FBF (uncertainty over commitment, jealousy, violation of expectations, personality differences), three effects of the FBF (clarification of feelings, awareness of interdependence, introduction of thematic conflict), and three differences between the “non‐survivors” and the “survivors” (increasing vs. decreasing uncertainty in the relationship, different beliefs regarding communication and conflict, differences in attributions regarding the FBF).     

Dynamic Models of Communication in an Online Friendship Network

In this article, we argue for the usefulness of relational event network analysis to study online communication networks. Unlike other network analytic techniques that require online communication data to be summarized prior to analysis, relational event network analysis uses un-summarized time-stamped data to track the dynamic evolution of communication networks. To illustrate, we use relational event network analysis to analyze the evolution of a communication network within the virtual world Second Life. Results suggest that there are different patterns of communication among nonfriends and friends within the network. Nonfriends tend to communicate with those they have communicated with in the past, reciprocate communication, and close communication triads. Friends tend not to communicate with those they have communicated with in the past, instead preferring to reciprocate communication and close triads. We discuss implications for the study of online communication and identify directions for future research using relational event network analysis.     

How Do You Like Your Forgiveness? Communication Style Preferences and Effects

Two studies examined forgiveness recipients’ evaluations of, and responses to, four styles of forgiveness-granting communication: engaging, deemphasizing, conditional, and suppressing. In the context of close friendships, Study 1 showed that whereas the engaging style was highly preferred, the suppressing and conditional styles were not. Content analysis suggested that the latter two styles are perceived as unclear, inauthentic, and/or in violation of norms. Study 2 suggested that engaging forgiveness is preferable because it effectively addresses personal and relational face needs and reduces uncertainty. Implications for the conceptualization of forgiveness-granting styles and the practical construction of forgiveness expressions are discussed.     

When Talking Differences Makes Us Closer: Communicative Dynamics of Group Salience in Intergroup Contact

Group salience, although a key variable in generalizing contact effects toward the target out-group, often negatively affects the quality of intergroup contact. Countering this pessimistic view, we investigated whether or not communicatively-induced group salience could yield positive contact effects by inducing prosocial intergroup emotions and by increasing relational closeness with the out-group interactant in the context of cross-group friendships. A survey conducted with MTurk participants (N = 331) revealed that communicating group-related topics within intergroup friendships increased prosocial intergroup emotions, which was further predictive of relational closeness and intergroup prejudice. However, relational closeness showed no evidence of mediating the effect of prosocial emotions on intergroup prejudice. The results contribute to intergroup scholarship in expanding the discussion of the influence of communicative dimensions of salience on intergroup relations.     

Big Macs/Peanut Butter and Jelly: An Exploration of Dialectical Contradictions Experienced by the Sandwich Generation

Grounded in relational dialectics theory, this article reports a study exploring the influence of internal relational dialectic contradictions of women who are in the “Sandwich Generation,” or simultaneously providing some kind of care for generations of family both older and younger than them. Two hundred twenty-five female multi-generational caretakers (MGCs) reported their perceptions of the autonomy–connection, predictability–unpredictability, and openness–closedness of the relationship they have with an older adult for whom they provide care, as well as their current satisfaction level with this relationship. The data indicate communication between MGCs and their care recipient is more satisfying when the caretaker believes she has a high level of autonomy in the relationships and when there is a high level of openness within the relationships. These findings are interpreted using dialectic contradiction, change, and totality. This article also discusses practical implications of these findings for members of the Sandwich Generation.     

Providing support to friends experiencing a sexual health uncertainty

ABSTRACT

Emerging adults provide support to friends experiencing sexual health uncertainties; however, the support provided varies. Because of the centrality of friendships during emerging adulthood, identifying what shapes the support friends provide one another is necessary. A survey of 424 emerging adults indicated that, at least from the support provider’s perspective, expected outcomes, efficacy assessments, and sexual health expertise shape the support they provide friends, supporting the theory of motivated information management’s propositions. However, expertise moderated the effects of coping and target efficacy in unexpected ways, suggesting a conditional process when providing blame, fault, and distraction support. Results, as a whole, support yet complicate the theory of motivated information management’s explanation for the support or information provider due to expertise and emphasize the need for complete sexual health education for young people.     

Predicting Employee Turnover from Friendship Networks

Employees (n=40) at a fast-food restaurant were surveyed about characteristics of their position and their level of satisfaction. Employees were then asked to report with whom they regularly communicated inside and outside the workplace and to indicate how close they were to employees with whom they were linked. Employee turnover was measured after three months had elapsed. A goal of the research was to replicate a model of employee turnover that predicts employees more central in their social network to be less likely to leave, and to test a social support explanation of the centrality model. The results indicated that employees who reported a greater number of out-degree links with friends were less likely to leave. The number of in-degree links with friends did not significantly predict turnover, and neither did network links with peers. Friendship prestige, measured by the number of in-degree links, was strongly correlated with relational closeness and amount of time spent with employees outside the workplace.     

Predicting Employee Turnover from Friendship Networks

Employees (n=40) at a fast-food restaurant were surveyed about characteristics of their position and their level of satisfaction. Employees were then asked to report with whom they regularly communicated inside and outside the workplace and to indicate how close they were to employees with whom they were linked. Employee turnover was measured after three months had elapsed. A goal of the research was to replicate a model of employee turnover that predicts employees more central in their social network to be less likely to leave, and to test a social support explanation of the centrality model. The results indicated that employees who reported a greater number of out-degree links with friends were less likely to leave. The number of in-degree links with friends did not significantly predict turnover, and neither did network links with peers. Friendship prestige, measured by the number of in-degree links, was strongly correlated with relational closeness and amount of time spent with employees outside the workplace.     

The impact of alternative approaches to comforting,closeness of relationship,and gender on multiple measures of effectiveness

The impact of 6 approaches to comforting (suggesting a diversion, expressing optimism, providing an external account, offering assistance, explaining the perspective of the offender, and a combination of the first 5), attributed to either a good friend or a casual acquaintance, was assessed for 2 situations by 394 students. Distressed individuals responded to comforting messages along two dimension: feeling less upset and feeling demeaned, with some indications that yet a third dimension (appreciating the concern of the comforter) may exist. The message that combined elements from the other 5 approaches yielded generally the most positive responses, but responses to specific message approaches varied with situation and dimension of response. Messages from good friends were more successful than those from casual acquaintances in helping the distressed individual to feel less upset.     

Family communication patterns,sex of subject,and communication competence

Two hundred ninety‐nine subjects completed the Revised Family Communication Patterns instrument (Ritchie & Fitzpatrick, ) and the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (ICQ; Buhrmester, Furman, Wittenberg, & Reis, ). Results indicate that both family communication patterns and sex of subject influence the ability to enact certain communication skills in both same‐sex friendships and romantic partnerships. Those growing up in a strong conversation‐oriented family are more likely to report the ability to enact a greater number of interpersonal skills in both types of relationships. Women were more likely to report the ability to self‐disclose in a same‐sex friendship; however, a family communication environment that stresses a lower conversation orientation (consensual) diminishes the likelihood of acquiring that skill for women. Women were also more likely to report being able to offer emotional support in both same‐sex friendships and romantic partnerships. Men were more likely to report being able to assert themselves negatively in a same‐sex friendship, and to self‐disclose and manage conflict in a romantic partnership. Additionally, this study found that men and women employ different communication skills depending on the sex of their relational partner. Implications and future research directions are discussed.     

图书馆可持续发展中联盟体系的构建

可持续发展战略是当今社会广泛认同的一种科学发展模式，其宗旨是保证人类社会具有长远的可持续发展能力。因此图书馆可持续发展是社会发展的现实要求。图书馆要根据社会需求的持续变化，不断改变服务方式和管理机制，以适应时代对图书馆的要求。图书馆联盟是传统图书馆实现转型，保持可持续发展的方式选择，图书馆多形态联盟是我国图书馆事业发展的新台阶，加强对它的涵义、组织形式、管理因素、构建以及与图书馆可持续发展的辨证关系研究对图书馆事业的繁荣昌盛具有现实的意义。     

International students’ network patterns and cultural stress: What really counts

The cultural adaptation literature indicates that direct contacts with host people and international students have positive effects on adaptation. However, it is not clear how the quantity of host people affects this relationship. Therefore, this study investigates the question by exploring the role of “quantity”; in terms of the numbers of host people in international students’ communication networks and cultural stress (CS). This effect was examined from close interpersonal communication ties and casual communicative contacts perspectives (i.e., quantity alone versus quantity‐with‐quality of relationship). One hundred and two international students were asked to complete a questionnaire from which their CS scores were determined. The scores were used to determine the effect of casual versus close contacts for the students. In general, the findings indicate that the quantity of host people in a network is an important determinant of CS (i.e., both casual contacts and close communication contacts). However, the extent to which these interaction types are able to determine CS is dependent on the stress type.     

结合时间切片信息的作者共引分析方法与实证

[目的/意义]传统作者共引分析（ACA）方法将领域发展视为一个整体,忽略领域发展期间的变化,导致知识图谱解读会产生一定的偏差。本文旨在引入时间变量,找出领域发展期间的转变关键节点,并以此作为时间切片的划分依据,利用ACA绘制每个时间切片内部的知识图谱,观察领域内的子领域发展与核心作者的变化。[方法/过程]首先通过作者的年度发文比例对时间切片进行选取,借鉴经济学均线理论对曲线做平滑处理,选取曲线变化度较高的年份作为转变节点切割时间段,并对每个时间切片内进行ACA的运算与结果分析。[结果/结论]结果显示,随着时间的变迁,领域知识图谱发生了相应的变化,利用作者发文比例选择时间切点进行综合时间切片的作者共引分析提高了聚类结果的群聚性,且有助于挖掘出科学共同体的更多细节。     

The cruel optimism of casual games: neocolonialism,neoliberalism, and the valorization of play

Casual games disrupted the games industry, but not in ways commonly believed. What if we left behind the hardcore vs. casual games dichotomy to reveal that casual gameplay and casual game development have extended the neoliberal and neocolonial logic of the industry? Casual games, in terms of design and industry practices, remind us that there is nothing inherently liberating about play. Rather, the design and development practices of casual games should be understood as an extension and acceleration of neoliberal and neocolonial logics. Casual gameplay and casual game development pull us within processes of cruel optimism. These deeply political economic processes endanger free play and creativity and therefore are obstacles to the flourishing of gamers and game developers as free subjects. In this neoliberal and neocolonial game market, cruel optimism is enticing because casual gameplay and game development emerge as powerful actors and practices in a context where the state has globally failed in the distribution of hope.