A study investigated the influence of sex on perceived credibility. It was predicted that males would have more credibility than females, and that males and females would respond differently to the question of having more credibility if they were of the opposite sex. A series of research questions concerning both the similarity of sex of the…

An application of social-psychological theories to studies in credibility and charisma. (CH)

This paper considers the future of communication research and instruction in an age when the communication environment is under stress from such factors as communication overload, language "pollution," and a widespread and growing disregard for truth. Items related to the general thesis are considered from three perspectives: the role of…

Three issues must be addressed when discussing the standards needed to judge the methodological rigor of naturalistic approaches to administrative research. The first issue involves defining naturalistic inquiry. In contrast to the scientific paradigm, naturalistic inquiry emphasizes, first, the inseparability of variables or events from their…

Telephone surveys were conducted in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan, to assess both the relative credibility of news presentations by the local news media and respondents' reasons for using these media. The results supported previous research on local news credibility, suggesting that television was the more believable medium, even in a local…

Undertaken in conjunction with the 1976 presidential election, this study examined perceptions of Gerald R. Ford against conceptualizations of the ideal political candidate. Questionnaires were administered to 321 undergraduates (both Republicans and Democrats) in order to measure perceived credibility and homophily of the ideal candidate and of…

Two factors are important in understanding heckling. First, heckling is a negative comment on the speaker. This negative feedback tends to lower speaker effectiveness. Second, the relationship between the heckler and the audience member is important. If the audience member sees himself as more closely aligned to the speaker, heckling will increase…

Relationships between perceived voter use of information sources and perceived source credibility and gubernatorial candidate preference were examined in a cross-lagged correlation design employing data from Illinois primary and general election surveys. The only significant test-retest correlation for source use and believability was for…

This study investigated cognitive impairment as a function of reflective fear arousal and also the relationship between the creation of cognitive impairment and resulting attitude change. A three-part measuring instrument was developed to assess attitudes, evaluate perception of alleged danger, and determine credibility. The subjects were 112…

A general framework for viewing the relationship between attribution processes and perceived source credibility is proposed. Based upon this framework, an experimental study was conducted examining perceived source credibility as a function of causal attributions in messages. Three independent variables were incorporated into a 2x2x2 factorial…

Discusses the development of young children's ability to distinguish between warranted and unwarranted assertions in various kinds of communication. Includes examples of home and classroom techniques for building this critical thinking skill. (CW)

The article describes group games which physical education teachers can use to encourage cooperative problem solving, risk taking, and trust among participants, rather than competition. (CD)

Suggests that challenges to the free press are best dealt with through credible and responsible reporting. (RB)

Editor, Journal of Applied Communication Research, Drawer NJ, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Subscription Rates: $4.00, individuals; $6.00, libraries and institutions.

This analysis of Malaysian secondary schools indicates that the observed high levels of student alienation and distrust within the heterogeneous schools are due to a complex interaction effect between certain internal features and the way they are perceived to be linked to the adult occupational structure. (Author/AM)