A new series of studies on adults' and infants' perception of phonetic "prototypes," exceptionally good instances of phonetic categories, show that prototypes play a unique role in speech perception. Phonetic category prototypes function like "perceptual magnets" for other stimuli in the category. They attract nearby members of…

Shows problems in the communication process between preparers and users of financial reports. Uses test techniques from linguistics and pedagogy (here, the cloze technique) to investigate two Swedish financial reports' understandability. Finds important parts of the reports were not understood by small investors. (PA)

Explores the dilemma of teenagers, who often have nowhere to go except outdoor public places, where they often come into conflict with other groups. Describes how teenagers use public spaces in their local environments to create meaning and context in their existence. Indicates which places they use, what characterizes these places, and how…

This paper analyzes the attitudes of three Swedish trade unions toward the press. Local representatives of the unions answered a questionnaire about their contact with the local press, the press's impact on public opinion, fairness of press reporting, the press's fulfillment of its duties in informing the public, and future control of mass media.…

Explores levels of communication apprehension reported by 5- to 11-year-old children in the United States and Sweden. Suggests significant amounts of apprehension develop and increase in early years and indicates the need for research and educational efforts with children and communication apprehension. (SR)

An investigation of the political and social content of mass media and the manner in which individuals and groups evaluate and use mass media is summarized in this report. The first section provides a brief overview of the development of the mass media system in Sweden, while the second section outlines the theoretical framework for the present…

This study draws on research and programs in Sweden, England, Canada, and the United States to examine communication interaction between a person using a communication aid and a person who is an able-bodied, natural speaker. It primarily addresses the child or adult with normal or near-normal cognitive abilities who uses augmentation and interacts…

Examines the means of and correlations between perceptions of willingness to communicate, communication apprehension, communication competence, and introversion of college students in the United States and Sweden. Results indicate that the monocultural research on this topic in the United States has limited generalizability. (SR)