Focuses on recent critiques of empiricism. Discusses the present state of communication research and theory. Asserts that examining levels of language and explanation helps to solve logical inconsistencies that have appeared to present philosophical problems in the past. (PRA)

Investigates the hypothesis that messages reciprocating both topic and intimacy would be more positively evaluated than those reciprocating neither. Results support the hypothesis for initial low intimacy messages, and partially support it for initial high intimacy messages. Examines results in terms of competing interactional goals in a…

Examines types of interpersonal rituals in marriages and adult friendships. Assesses ritual enactment among friendship types. Develops a typology of seven marriage ritual types and a typology of six friendship ritual types. (RS)

Demonstrates that conversation occurs so quickly and yet so skillfully that neither current cognitive models for mindfulness or mindlessness can account for it. (SR)

Presents Information Manipulation Theory to describe the different ways that information can be manipulated in the production of deceptive messages. Suggests that deceptive messages covertly violate principles governing conversational exchanges regarding quantity, quality, manner, and relevance of information that should be presented. (SR)

Tests Information Manipulation Theory by evaluating messages for perceived deceptiveness and competence. Finds that manipulations of amount, veracity, relevance, and clarity of information all significantly influence perceived message deceptiveness and perceived message competence. (SR)

Responds to an article in an earlier issue of this journal. Discusses the state of theorizing in the field of organizational communication. (SR)

Challenges an ideology hidden within the history of rhetoric that privileges one form of the art over another--one approach moves outward toward the social world of public affairs, the other inward toward the center of the human soul. Recounts several "moments" in the creation, repression, and eventual recovery of a rhetoric of the…

Investigates the degree to which senders can vary discourse on demand along five fundamental dimensions and receivers (observers) can recognize such variations. Confirms that deceptive communication is less complete, honest, direct/relevant, clear, and personalized (attributable to the speaker) than truthful communication. (SR)

Replies to Rowland's article (same issue) on Fisher's views of the narrative paradigm. Clarifies the narrative paradigm by discussing three senses in which "narration" can be understood, and by indicating what the narrative paradigm is not. (SR)

Speculates about mindfulness on the context of practical applications, by everyday communicators, of whatever modifications to communication can be suggested by research. Reviews tact strategies as a brief example. (SR)

Responds to an article in an earlier issue of this journal. Restates the topic as "Why are there so few theories of human communication?" Discusses why there is a lack of theories on the nature of human communication and offers suggestions intended to promote the development of such theories. (SR)

Replies to four responses to an earlier article by the author in this journal on the relative lack of original theory development in the field of communication. (SR)

Continues the process of questioning what is taken for granted in communication research and expanding the views of rhetorical processes. Explores how and where texts are created, and how texts interact with each other, especially in terms of "intertextual interanimation." (RS)

Identifies turning points, reported commitment level, and patterns characteristic of post-divorce relationships. Identifies 11 turning points, assesses mean change in commitment level, and finds five patterns of post-divorce relationships: gradual relational progress; disrupted progress; sustained adjustment; disjointed erratic cycle; and eventual…