Shared understanding is often achieved in communication interactions at the point in which the participants come to an agreement upon meaning. Without shared meaning, misunderstandings can lead to a breakdown in communication, and possibly failure on collaborative tasks. The purpose of the present study was to examine how students, preservice, and…

Considered by many to be the foundation upon which our discipline was built, the study of public speaking has evolved from its humble beginnings into a vast literature of experimental and expositional studies. The focus of research on public speaking has primarily been to discover the antecedents, causes, and consequences of anxiety associated…

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT (LTAI) (Lederman, Stewart, Bates, Greenberg, LeGreco, & Schuwerk, 2007), a scenario-based alcohol prevention simulation, has been used in a curriculum infusion design to promote healthy alcohol-related decision making among college students. Its use offers a unique research opportunity to explore students' beliefs and talk…

Examines speech communication defined problems of reticence and/or communication apprehension pointing out the inappropriate use of the medical model to deal with such problems. Suggests that a specialist called a "rhetoritherapist" deal with these problems through training in various rhetorical subprocesses. (MH)

Results of the study suggested that the four measurement instruments of communication problems are not capable of discriminating students with communication problems from students without. Concluded that what may be most important in distinguishing the two groups is whether or not persons perceive their uncomfortable feelings about communication…

Reports on research into the communication of speech state anxiety between adjacent speakers in the speaking order in a public speaking setting. Finds, based on classical response contagion theory, that public speaking state anxiety in an educational setting is contagious. Discusses possible consequences, and advances suggestions for future…

Explores ethical and legal problems related to the treatment of communication apprehension and avoidance (CAA). Discusses three options for solving those problems: "cease and desist" all treatment programs; create hybrid communication/counseling programs; or create a code of ethics for CAA treatment procedures. (KEH)

Compares 28 undergraduates identified as talking too much to 224 "normals" on a series of variables associated with compulsive talking. Finds that talkers differed from "normals" in their self-reports of verbal activity; and they reported being more argumentative and less apprehensive, and had more positive attitudes about communication. Finds no…

Investigates how, prior to actual communication activities or assignments, instructors can manipulate situational factors to moderate situational anxiety and avoidance. Reports that anxiety and avoidance can be moderated by manipulating context, motivation, and acquaintance factors. (MM)

Finds significant differences in communication between superiors, subordinates, clients, practitioners and patients. Suggests that future training of health care professionals include a focus on superior subordinate communication. (MS)

Provides strong support for the hypothesis that as communication reticence increases, expectations of success in communication situations decreases. Investigates the predictive utility of employing multiple measures of reticence as compared to single operationalizations. (NKA)

Introduces a symposium aimed at providing a practical compendium of advice to teachers in communication for helping alleviate common communication problems among students in a classroom. (JMF)

Presents a case history of a private clinical treatment of an individual for communication reticence. Focuses on rhetoritherapy which deals with inculcating effective communication skills. Illustrates the kinds of problems and strategies that characterize private treatment. (JMF)

Examines the effectiveness of rhetoritherapy as a treatment for individuals with communication difficulties. Finds that performance-based communication training is effective in decreasing communication apprehension and problems communicating and in increasing other-perceived talkativeness. Reports that rhetoritherapy may be a more effective…

Investigates whether variations in five audience characteristics (size, status, familiarity, similarity, and behavior) are related to audience anxiety. Supports the contention that the effect of situational factors are greatly tempered by an individual's predisposition to respond anxiously. Discusses instructional implications of these findings.…