In order to test whether constant eye contact, formal posture, and varied vocal inflection increase source credibility and listener comprehension, 144 college students in an introductory speech communication course were placed in groups of equal size that listened to the same informative speech. The speaker presented to each group a different…

Several important ethical issues need to be addressed both by the consultant and the organization in the field of academic substance abuse consultation. Various problems face the university-based academician who consults with agencies and organizations, such as consultant abuse, i.e., when a consultant is hired on the basis of title and academic…

A study was designed to examine an underlying assumption regarding the use of the semantic differential in measuring the credibility and homophily of a communicator, namely, that responses to an ideal source position themselves at one extreme end of the scale, reflecting the monotonic function of the instrument such that the highest response…

Rating scales were developed and applied to evaluate deferential/nondeferential language users. Participants were 1,262 college students in small discussion groups containing two experimenter's confederates who used either deferential or nondeferential language. The characteristics of deferential language users were questioning/tentative behavior,…

The purpose of this study was to examine the socializing effect the viewing of adult-oriented commercials has on young children of differing socioeconomic backgrounds. The subjects, 227 children in the first, second, and third grades, included 109 lower-socioeconomic-level black children and 118 white children representing upper-middle-income…

This paper describes the author's perceptions of the reasons for the tarnished image of advisors and academic advisement. Specific problems are discussed under seven headings. These are: (1) Advisor Credibility, (2) Becoming Aware of Advisee Constructs, (3) Reducing Advisee Defensiveness concerning Related constructs, (4) Advisee Challenge of…

Presented are two case studies on the perspective of the history of science. Provided are the contributions of 12 famous scientists with their historical illustrations and diagrams. Five conclusions are drawn from these studies. (YP)

Examined the effects different communicators (science methods instructors, supervisors, graduate assistants, and others) had on the attitudes of 25 elementary education majors toward science and science teaching, focusing on which communicators were perceived as being the most credible. (DH)

The Visual Communication Division of the proceedings contains the following 7 papers: "Photography Editors as Gatekeepers: Choosing Between Publishing or Self-Censoring Disturbing Images of 9-11" (Renee Martin Kratzer and Brian Kratzer); "Jane Campion's 'The Piano': The Female Gaze, the Speculum and the Chora within the…

Reviews research involving the definition and measurement of the source credibility construct and reports on a new study. Argues that future factor analytic studies of source credibility would serve no useful purpose, that the historical definitions of the construct should be retained, and that satisfactory measures already exist. (PD)

Eleven studies of the accuracy of teachers' reports of their classroom behavior are summarized. Teacher reports of specific behaviors were not very accurate, but grouping answers into dimensions resulted in greater correspondence between teacher reports and observations. Self-reports used to classify teachers on a continuum appeared trustworthy.…

A Barnum group rated the personal accuracies of a list of personality inventory items and then an equivalent list of bogus feedback. The correlation between their inventory and feedback ratings was highly significant. Variables influencing inventory responding exerted an equal influence upon feedback acceptance. (Author/GDC)

The effects of record-card-type information on performance expectations were examined. Expectations based solely on preobservational information (standardized tests, previous teachers, family, physical characteristics) were positively related to the quality of the reported performance. Implications for the public concern over record card…

Presents an insider's view of the process involved in creating award-winning historical, biographical documentaries. Argues that documentary filmmakers and historians share a common mission in presenting as complete and accurate a picture of the past as possible. Maintains that the central difference between the two is in the selection of…

Outlines a step-by-step process through which students can construct, defend, and test historical arguments. These include to support the claim with facts and analyze their relevance, to oppose the claim with additional facts, to rebut this claim with additional facts, and to ask for new information to test the claim. (MJP)