Radical deconstruction holds the postmodern view that texts are open to endless interpretation and therefore do not reveal a preferred or stable set of valid meanings. This paper provides an analysis of some epistemological problems of reference that arise from this aspect of deconstruction, and explores ways in which access to the world's…

A preliminary study surveyed peace communication research in speech communication journals, covering the period from World War I through the late 20th century. The Matlon "Index" includes journals approved by the publications board of the Speech Communication Association (SCA) and was used in this project as the database for the period…

This paper investigates routine "opening turns" in telephone conversations, examining their variety and adaptability, and extending E. A. Schegloff's model to account for them. Following a review of previous research on telephone openings, the paper describes the notion of "reduction" as offered by M. R. Whalen and D. H.…

In order to demonstrate Walton J. Ong's continuing relevance to the field of rhetorical theory, a review of his intellectual contributions and development is conducted in three stages, covering not only Ong's books and major articles but also his Jesuit educational history and his reviews of other theorists. In the first period (1939-1950), Ong's…

Noting that communication scholars have begun to sense the inadequacy of traditional theoretic perspectives to frame the sorts of questions and answers required for a fully articulated theory of interpersonal attraction and relationship development, this paper explores the possibility of applying constructivism to that area. (It defines the…

Metakinesics, a gesture used to describe another gesture, was examined in four judges discussing videotapes of 12 children listening to a story teller. The analysis of the data was divided into four parts: (1) comparing the judges' metakinesics among themselves, (2) comparing the judges' kinesics in taped and untaped situations, (3) comparing…

Investigates the effects of anticipated future interaction on the overall rate of question-asking, the frequency of requests for particular information, and the temporal structure of persons' question-asking. Finds that question-asking strategies did not vary as a function of anticipated future interaction. (MM)

Argues that ideology is a type of rhetoric that escapes, rather than challenges, contradiction through the joint use of false consciousness and rational discourse. Contends that critics necessarily take an ideological position when criticizing ideology, and offers a perspective for overcoming the tendency to advance self-interest as "truth." (SR)

Discusses three studies stemming from an investigation designed to demonstrate that group decision-making performance is contingent on the satisfaction of four functional requirements. Claims the studies provide further support for the functional perspective. (JAD)

Investigates the private criteria people use in judging whether or not to make particular arguments. Determines the relationship between self-monitoring and the use of editing criteria. Finds that person-centered issues and discourse competence rules are extremely important, and that the self-monitoring scale has serious psychometric problems. (MS)

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…

Presents four forms of syntactic and semantic meanings. Discusses certain types of message distortion--both syntactic and semantic--that can actually enhance communication effectiveness. (JK)

Identifies five features of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that may account for its deep universal appeal. Suggests the memorial's effectiveness may recommend it as a model for contemporary anti-war rhetoric. (MS)

This keynote address to the 1984 Central States Speech Association Convention uses the convention theme--the interesting question--to define communication research, review recent scholarly developments, and exhort scholars to integrate their fields of study. (PD)

Discusses problems with the term "mass communication." Contends that mass communication research must include the study of public communication in the sense of finding out what people do with media and what are the problems of diffusing information or public knowledge. (PD)