When responses function to produce the same reinforcer, a response class exists. Researchers have examined response classes in applied settings; however, the challenges associated with conducting applied research on response class development have recently necessitated the development of an analogue response class model. To date, little research…

The purpose of this essay is to examine some of the reasons for the low implementation potential of most social psychological research (both in psychology and communication) and to suggest some ways in which the speech communication discipline can increase the applicability of its knowledge to the solution of contemporary individual and social…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cognitive abstractness levels, interpersonal perception abilities, and task type (factual or social problem solving) on group performance as measured by time consumed and adequacy of solutions. Eighteen college classes from Kearney State College participated in testing of perceptual…

Discussion of science and education focuses on a 35-year collaboration of University of Kansas scientists with an inner city, economically impoverished community, the Juniper Gardens Children's Project. The project has conducted research designed to improve the developmental and educational experiences and achievements of the community's children.…

Perhaps the most effective way to increase the utilization of behavioral science knowledge by policy-makers is for the behavioral scientist to become one. The psychologist who serves as a policy-maker becomes aware of the policy issues in addition to relevant empirical evidence. The author, a psychologist, relates his experience as a member of a…

A study was designed to evaluate the use of summated rating (Likert) scales of agreement, evaluation, and frequency. The subjects, 58 female and 45 male college students, rank ordered the descriptive adjectives for the areas of agreement, evaluation, and frequency on a scale of 1 to 100. They also completed the Personal Report of Communication…

Suggests that group members' apprehension about communicating in groups can potentially mediate the effects of group versus individual brainstorming upon performance. (MH)

Finds that when subjects have a week to reflect on the research hypothesis, they will attempt to prove the hypothesis. Does not find, however, that increased information yields negative research results. (RL)

To replicate the Kuehl et al. (1975) study, 151 graduate students completed the Leadership Opinion Questionnaire, Least Preferred Co-Worker (LPC) Questionnaire, FIRO-B (Functional Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior), and F-Scale. Data failed to replicate earlier significant correlations between interpersonal needs as measured by the LPC…

Explores the fact versus value dilemma faced by researchers in behavioral science areas and concludes that scientific researchers are influenced by subjective and evaluative thinking in spite of their efforts to eschew value judgements in their work. (DB)

Examines the influence of dogmatism on risk-taking behavior of groups and individuals and cites additional variables to be considered in a modification of the old risky shift paradigm. (MH)

Assesses the impact of oral, receiver and written communication apprehension on classroom achievement and contends that oral and receiver communication apprehension have a significant negative effect on achievement. (MH)

Defines the rhetorical impreative (i.e. you know?, you see?, okay) as a "non-ah" type of speech disturbance wherein the rhetorical nature of the inherent questions neither seeks nor desires a response. Relates anxiety and floor control to rhetorical interrogatives in experimental testing conditions. (MH)

Discusses a survey of one hundred speech communication departments to determine practices and policies regarding selection and use of subjects in research. Looks at potential effects of generalizing research results from such a population and suggests methods for resolving generality problems in speech communication research. (MH)