The mission, organization, rationale, roles, and functions of the department are discussed. The status of the department and its interface with other departments are also described. The paper deals with problems of funding, credibility, relations between research and evaluation versus planning and development, and problems of relating research and…

Two questions were the focus of this study. Do television network presentations of the same event significantly vary in their use of nonverbal production techniques? If they do differ, what effect do these differences have on receiver's attitude toward the object of that network coverage? Phase 1 of the study examined the speeches of Ted Kennedy…

This study tested the relationships among attitudes toward a course, instructor credibility, attraction, homophily, immediate recall, and student-teacher interaction. The major question explored how much variance of immediate recall and student-teacher interaction is attributable to course attitudes and instructor valence. Student grade point…

This study was undertaken to illustrate the application of a multidimensional individual-differences approach to credibility judgments as an alternative to factor analysis. Judgments of aspirants to the presidency of the United States were specifically studied. Ten stimulus-persons, varying in sex, political affiliation, and (apparent) ideology,…

A laboratory experiment, using videotape, was designed to test the self-interest hypothesis, that is, that a subject will increase his effectiveness if he argues in favor of a position that is opposed to his best interests. Four hundred fifty-nine subjects participated in a Solomon Four-Group design for primary data acquisition. Strong opinion…

This study tested two primary hypotheses concerning the effects of mispronunciation on the ratings of source credibility. First, as the number of mispronunciations presented by a speaker increases, audience ratings of source credibility will decrease. Second, the effects hypothesized in the first statement will be stronger for audiences at a more…

The Eastern Washington University Department of Education adopted an assurance program that guarantees that its graduates will perform to classroom expectations. If they do not, the university will provide remedial assistance free of charge to the hiring school district. Credibility, student marketability, accountability, and program feedback are…

Assessed the effects of gender and credibility introduction on eighth graders' (N=240) perceptions of counselor expertness, attractiveness, trustworthiness, and confidence. Results showed that perceived expertness was more a function of the credibility introduction than of counselor gender with female counselors' ratings more sensitive to the…

Confirms the hypotheses that (1) males are expected to use more aggressive persuasive strategies and when they do not conform to such expectations, attitude change is inhibited; and (2) females are not expected to use such aggressive strategies and are penalized when they are the source of unexpectedly aggressive message strategies. (PD)

Reviews the effects of source credibility and other variables in the communication process, showing how they work in cognitive response and attribution theories. Develops and posits a theoretical position that links the two types of theories. (RL)

Reports that Ellsworth Collings faked data and misrepresented his research in a 1923 study that became a hallmark of progressive education. "An Experiment with a Project Curriculum," supposedly documented a group of high school students' independent efforts at studying an outbreak of typhoid. Collings seriously misrepresented his input.…

Compares readers' and listeners' perceptions of powerless language features. Examines whether oral versions of powerless messages generate higher credibility ratings than written versions. Finds that subjects note more hesitations in writing but more hedges on tape, and that placing powerless speech in the written transcript reduces…

Analysis of interactions during 55 videotaped interviews of high-risk sex abuse cases found no support for the assumption that a credible disclosure of abuse must include the display of emotion by the child. Some behavioral differences between preschool and school-age children were found, but no gender differences. (Author/DB)

The relevance of teacher educators' own teaching experience to the current classroom needs of teachers is examined from an Australian perspective, and related criticisms of the current system of teacher education are discussed. It is proposed that teacher educators be encouraged to engage in active research on teaching and teacher training. (MSE)

Presents results of two studies examining individual differences in self-presentation style. Identifies three major groups among subjects: consistents, flexible impression managers, and rigid impression managers. Reports differences in self-evaluations among the groups with consistents rating themselves most favorably. Concludes that individuals'…