In light of inconsistent research findings, a study examined the relationship of traitlike public speaking apprehension to the competence of public speakers, as well as the mediating role of gender in that relationship. Subjects, 105 students from a variety of majors and enrolled in 7 sections of a public speaking fundamentals course at a southern…

Examines interpretations of messages as a function of whether they are equivocal or unequivocal, whether they protect self-face or other-face, and whether message perceivers are directly involved in the conversation. Finds: equivocation is a polite strategy for conveying a negative message; females regard it as even more polite than males do; and…