Examines the function of conflict in the process of achieving group consensus. Available from: Human Communication Research, Robert L. Cox, Executive Secretary, International Communication Association, Box 8563 University Station, Austin, Texas 78712. Telephone: 512-471-4821. Subscription Rates: institutional or non-members, $15.00 per year;…

Noting that recent research and theory from the expanding field of psychobiology have not been integrated into the study of human communication, this paper offers a synthesis of principles from several leading psychobiological scientists as a step toward a possible unifying approach to communication philosophy, theory, and research. The paper…

Two measures of the "world hypotheses" of Stephen Pepper were mailed to 100 sociobiologists, 87 behaviorists, 79 personality psychologists, and 45 human developmentalists. The World Hypothesis Scale (WHS) was designed to measure Pepper's four world views: (1) formism; (2) mechanism; (3) organicism; and (4) contextualism. The…

A 5-week study was conducted to examine the acquainting process--changes that occur as a relationship between two strangers develops. Fifty subjects were paired in same sex dyads and were asked to talk to one another once a week for half-hour periods. The unstructured conversations were tape-recorded and questionnaires were administered to the…

A literature review of communications, psychological, physiological and other sociobehavioral research literature reveals a number of paradoxes regarding the emphasis by information gatekeepers, media, and audiences on messages that are negative, critical, pessimistic, conflict-and-tension-producing, skeptical, punitive, threatening,…

Identifies an epistemological bias in current psychological research in family planning and population change that contributes to its lack of relevance in providing solutions to problems: population psychologists simply must get on with the business of effecting changes in problem behaviors. (Author/JM)

Major findings of this study indicate that a relationship exists between children's preference of playground types as measured by length of stay, frequency of visits and personal interviews. Adventure type playgrounds received highest preference followed in order of preference by contemporary and traditional types. (MLB)

This study demonstrates an evaluation technique that can be utilized by the wilderness manager. It attempts to assess the recreation user's point of view toward the wilderness environment by measuring and comparing desired and perceived experience in terms of environmental conditions and experiences. (Author/MLB)

A theoretical proposal is offered concerning individual differences in cognitive processes. The focus is on mental retardation and the comparative problem-solving performance of 'normal' and 'retarded' children. (Author/CS)

The effects of culture on the development of logical thinking and degree of emotional disturbance in normal children were investigated. Results show significantly higher amounts of disturbed thinking and anxious and hostile response content in Anglo-American than in Mexican children. Results are interpreted in light of cultural differences.…

An application of the principles of microteaching to the evaluation of behaviors of speech clinicians under varying feedback conditions. (CH)

Twenty normal and 20 retarded children were studied to determine the influences of mental (MA) and chronological age (CA) on the attribution of life characteristics to animate and inanimate objects. In both normal and retarded children, attribution depended on an interaction between M.A. and C.A. (DP)

In view of the importance of selectivity to the understanding of the interpersonal, small group, and public communication processes, this concept must be introduced into the communication classroom. This paper introduces an instructional model that simplifies the student's understanding of the four major steps involved in the selectivity process:…

Two variables involved in attitude change provided the basis for this study, the cognitive complexity of the subject and the dimensions of stimulus materials. After a pretest, 165 interpersonal communication students were divided into two groups according to their cognitive complexity levels. The dimensions of the stimulus were presented on two…

The patrol performance of forty-one female police officers was compared to that of forty-one male police officers in New York City in 1975/1976; the males and females were matched by length of time on force, patrol experience, and type of precinct. Direct observation by police and civilian personnel was the principal research method. The findings…