Communication Studies

Hullett, Craig R.; Tamborini, Ron

doi: 10.1080/10510970109388537pmid: N/A

The present study's purpose is to assess the impact of target's compliance‐resistance strategies on the actor's behavioral and evaluative responses. It is proposed that the actors have certain expectations about the compliance‐gaining interaction based upon their perceptions of rights to seek compliance. Resistance strategies vary in negative valence and affect actors’ perceptions of expectancy violations, and subsequent evaluative and behavioral responses. Expectancy violations theory provides a predictive rationale for these responses of the actor. A model is tested in which valence of the target's compliance resistance strategy and the actor's perceived rights are found to predict positive expectancy‐violations, evaluations of the resistance message, and intentions to pursue the targets’ compliance.

Samp, Jennifer A.

doi: 10.1080/10510970109388538pmid: N/A

Individuals in relationships accrue dependence power to the extent that they are perceived by a committed partner to be uncommitted to the relationship and have viable relationship alternatives (Cloven & Roloff, 1993). This investigation examined how relational dependence power influences post‐hoc appraisals and communicative decisions about problematic events for both problematic event offenders and observers. One hundred and six dating couples participated in this investigation. Each person individually completed measures of dependence power. Then, one person in each couple was designated the offender and the other was the observer of one of five hypothetical problematic events; participants rated the severity of the scenario, as welt as completing several measures related to defining the scenario as a problematic event. Respondents also reported the likelihood that they would not communicate about the situation. Analyses indicated that for offenders, appraisals of problematic event severity were negatively associated with partner's commitment and positively associated with perceptions of partner's alternatives; the opposite pattern was indicated for observers. Moreover, when events were appraised as serious, offenders and observers were less likely to avoid communicating about the situation. Little support was found for the association between dependence power and decisions to communicate about problematic events.

Roloff, Michael E.; Johnson, Danette Ifert

doi: 10.1080/10510970109388539pmid: N/A

Relational partners often experience intractable disagreements. When confronting such arguments, they sometimes declare the topic taboo and thereby remove it from further discussion. However, research does not inform as to whether or how such topics can be reintroduced for discussion. We argued that topics are most likely to be reintroduced when the conditions that led to their banishment are no longer relevant. We also anticipated that reintroducing the topic through a planned interaction rather than an unplanned conversation or event would be more common when the topic concerned some aspect of the relationship. However, a planned interaction would be less likely when the topic focused on extra‐relational activities, prior relationships, or attitudinal differences between partners. We also posited that reinstating the topic would create more positive reactions when the reason for reintroduction flowed from changed conditions and was planned than when not. A survey of individuals involved in dating relationships indicates that most could report topics that were once taboo and then reinstated. Our hypotheses were generally supported. Future directions for research are discussed.

Sanchez, Victoria E.

doi: 10.1080/10510970109388540pmid: N/A

Powwows such as those in the central Ohio area offer opportunity to explore a complex set of inter‐and intracultural communication. American Indian efforts to increase common understanding of contemporary Native America, powwow stresses American Indian commonalities in relation to mainstream American culture. In the context of the American Indian community they stress tribal individuality and they value intertribal negotiation rather than pan‐ethnic conglomeration or assimilation.

Benoit, William L.

doi: 10.1080/10510970109388541pmid: N/A

This essay argues that Bill Clinton's 1996 Acceptance Address enacted rhetorical framing through skillful use of metaphor. Dole's Acceptance Address contained an off‐handed suggestion that he would be a bridge to an earlier time of tranquility; essentially, a bridge to the past. Two weeks later Clinton insistently proposed that he would help build a “bridge to the future,”; rejecting what he represented as Dole's “bridge to the past.”; Clinton's metaphors effectively functioned as frames for favorably interpreting himself and his agenda—as well as for unfavorably interpreting Dole and his agenda. A new form of framing transformation (“metaphoric”) is identified and suggestions for effective use of metaphors are derived from the evaluation of Clinton's discourse. This case study illustrates now rhetorical critics can support claims of effects from rhetorical discourses.

Morgan, Jayne M.

doi: 10.1080/10510970109388542pmid: N/A

A cultural‐critical approach is used to explore dominant and alternative ideologies of change reflected in the metaphors of a retail‐based management staff. The case study reveals the managers as change agents were well versed in the corporate call to “get out of the box, “yet reflected a less transformational vision of change in their own discourse. Traveling metaphors used by the store‐level managers indicated a process orientation to change, but one that severely limited discussion about other possible routes toward the desired end. Suppressed alternative metaphors speaking to the personal losses and frustrations associated with change are exposed and validated in this analysis. Implications for research and practice are discussed.