Explores how topics of arguments relate to argumentativeness among college students. Finds that individuals reported greater frequency of advocacy than refutative behavior during arguments and that high argumentatives engaged in more advocacy and refutation than moderates or lows. Suggests implications to the interactionist approach to the study…

Explores the nature of trait verbal aggressiveness. Identifies types of verbally aggressive messages used by college students, beliefs about hurt, and reasons for use that distinguish high from low verbal aggressives. Finds that high verbal aggressive students are prone to using self-concept attacking messages. (SR)

Finds that the initiators of verbal aggression in a discussion were seen by observers as less credible and had fewer valid arguments credited to them, whereas targets of verbal aggression were seen as more credible and were credited with more valid arguments when they reciprocated a level of verbal aggression. (SR)

Examines two factors (affirming/nonaffirming style and dyad sex) to determine if they influence perceptions of verbal aggression and argumentation behavior in an interpersonal dispute. Finds that fewer mistakes were made in the perception of verbal aggression in the conflict when they communicated with an affirming rather than a nonaffirming…

Found that (1) motivation to argue is heightened when high argumentatives expect to encounter a person who also enjoys arguing; and (2) low argumentatives have less motivation to argue regardless of the adversary. (PD)

Finds that more argument and less verbal aggression were observed in constructive as compared to destructive disagreements regardless of context; more verbal aggression was reported in family as compared to organizational disagreements; and participants, when compared to observers, perceived the most argument and verbal aggression. (SR)

Explores a model of supervisors' communication behavior from the subordinate's perspective. Tests a hypotheses about which perceived supervisory styles are associated with the least and the most subordinates' satisfaction and organizational commitment. Finds that verbal aggressiveness is especially potent in explaining variability in satisfaction…

Supported the hypothesis that the more employees perceive their supervisors as high in argumentativeness and low in verbal aggressiveness, the more the subordinates also will be argumentative (i.e., assertive) and have job satisfaction. (PD)

Examines communicative responses to the highly argumentative person. Finds that the adversary's use of verbal aggression provokes male subjects to be more verbally aggressive, but stimulates female subjects to be more argumentative. (RAE)

Reviews personality research conflict between trait and situationist positions because of its relevance to communication trait research. Reports results of a study based on a recent theory of argumentativeness that is inherently interactionist. Suggests the possible value of interactionist approaches to communication study, as the hypotheses…

Presents validation, from a communication perspective, for semantic differential scales designed to measure attitude toward an object. The favorableness of sources' verbal behavior about an object was related to sources' attitudes toward the object. Receivers accurately estimated sources' attitudes and the favorableness of sources' verbal…

Investigates subordinates' communication styles and superiors' satisfaction with subordinates from the perspective of the superior. Finds that when superiors were very satisfied with subordinates they perceived them as (1) friendly, relaxed, and attentive communicators; (2) lacking in verbal aggressiveness; and (3) high in argumentativeness. (MS)

A study examined the influence of physical attractiveness and trait argumentativeness as predictors of responses to an argumentative situation. Subjects, 152 college students identified as either high or low in trait argumentativeness, were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions: attractive or unattractive anticipated adversary. A…

Although Kent State University was regarded as a symbol of radical protest after four students were killed by Ohio National Guardsmen in 1970, a survey of student opinion toward demonstrations and other kinds of free speech activity taken in 1969, shortly before the shootings, showed that the student body was in fact conservative. Other…

Explores the relationship between arguing and verbal aggression and the benefits accruing from argumentativeness. Found that students who are highly argumentative are not easily provoked to using verbal aggression in an argument, supporting the view that verbal aggression often stems from a lack of skill in arguing. (PD)