Noting that the communication apprehension (CA) construct advanced more than a decade ago is restricted to talking, this paper points out that the construct now encompasses all modes of communication, including writing and singing. The first section of the paper examines current conceptualizations of the CA construct and compares these to other…

Two hypotheses were tested in an experiment on the generalizability of McGuire's innoculation theory of attitude change: that subjects would be less influenced by counterpersuasion in a small group communication setting if an initial persuader employs a two-sided refutational message than if he employs a one-sided message; and that subjects will…

Considers how the discipline of communication has much to offer to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning across disciplines and instructional levels. Discusses research which has been conducted by one or more of the coauthors and their students. Notes that it was chosen as a representative sample of kinds of work that are continuing in efforts…

Examines the effect of varying the quality of evidence in a persuasive message. Concludes that, while good evidence may not be necessary to persuasive communication, poor evidence is detrimental. (PD)

Defines a theory of communication apprehension and discusses it in terms of rhetoritherapy. (See preceding articles, EJ 227 456 and EJ 227 457.) Concludes that each of the two schools provides treatment for different problems. (JMF)

Discusses decisions that researchers must make in their application of factor analysis to data related to communication phenomena. Offers several suggestions to aid researchers in reaching appropriate decisions. (JMF)

Communication competence has been approached primarily from three perspectives in the communication literature: (1) as cognitive understanding of communication, (2) as a capability of performing certain communication skills, and (3) as achieving effective communication. Most scholars who write about communication competence view competence either…

Communication apprehension, the apprehension an individual has about interpersonal communication, was hypothesized to affect both the perceived desirability of a number of occupations and the actual job choice made by subjects. Both hypotheses received support. (Author)

Current conceptualizations of the construct of "communication competence" are examined in this paper and are found to be problematic. The paper argues that "communication competence" must be distinguished from "communication performance" and sees neither as a reliable predictor of the other. The paper suggests that both research and pedagogy must…

Because a review of literature revealed that no valid instrument for measuring a person's willingness to communicate existed, a willingness to communicate (WTC) instrument was developed. The basis of this construct is the assumption that willingness to communicate is a personality-based, trait-like predisposition which is fairly consistent across…

This paper reports the development of a measure of perceived homophily. In both an initial investigation and in a replication, four dimensions of response were observed. These dimensions were labeled attitude, value, appearance, and background. Additional results indicated that opinion leaders are perceived as more homophilous than non-opinion…

An instrument was developed and tested which would measure intermediate interaction behavior in small-group communication. The study was designed to uncover the several dimensions of such behavior and produce a reliable, valid measure for each dimension that would yield data amenable to parametric statistical analysis. Analysis of two experiments…

The concepts of credibility, attraction, power, and "homophily" (degree to which source and receiver are similar in certain attributes) have been investigated as independent and unrelated variables in the communication process. The authors seek to establish the relationship of these variables as subdivisions of the overriding concept…