Communication Studies

Viens, Alyce; Farrar, Kirstie M.

doi: 10.1080/10510974.2021.1876748pmid: N/A

Binge watching has risen in popularity, and thus is receiving increasing scholarly attention. Across the limited range of studies that have been conducted, there is a lack of uniform conceptualization and empirical measurement of binge watching making generalizability and theoretical development across studies challenging. This investigation provides an overview of current binge watching conceptualization and operationalization, and presents initial testing of two measures of binge watching for both general binge watching behavior, and single-program binge watching.

Suwinyattichaiporn, Tara; Guerrero, Laura K.; Generous, Mark A.

doi: 10.1080/10510974.2021.1899009pmid: N/A

This research focuses on developing and providing validation for Empathic Expressions Scale (EES). Three studies were conducted using different samples: (1) a qualitative study that uncovered empathic responses, (2) a quantitative study using exploratory factor analysis to determine subscales for the EES and then test for convergent with empathy quotient and compassionate communication, and divergent validity with narcissism and verbal aggressiveness, and (3) a quantitative study using confirmatory factor analysis to validate the structure of the EES. Results suggest a consistent structure for the EES, which includes five factors on: verbal affirmation, experience sharing, empathic voice, emotional reactivity, and empathic touch. These factors represent, both, verbal and nonverbal communication.

Bergan, Daniel E.

doi: 10.1080/10510974.2021.1876124pmid: N/A

The influence of goals unrelated to accuracy – such as maintaining beliefs and attitudes consistent with one’s political identity – may undermine objective processing, enabling people to construct defenses for their own predispositions. A two-wave study is employed involving undergraduates who experienced gains in scientific reasoning ability to explore the influence of ability on reasoning about social scientific messages that reflects positively or negatively on affiliates of the two major U.S. political parties. Results suggest that although ability contributes to distinguishing strong from weak arguments, there is no evidence that ability either enhances or decreases partisan influences on research evaluation.

Bullock, Olivia M.; Shulman, Hillary C.

doi: 10.1080/10510974.2021.1899007pmid: N/A

Rates of skin cancer among young women are increasing and most cases are associated with tanning behavior. In health communication, scholars and practitioners use framing as a strategy to design persuasive messages. In this experiment, we advance framing research by testing a serial model of framing theory in the context of outdoor tanning behavior among collegiate women. We designed two message frames, language difficulty, and message relevance, to target accessibility and applicability, two mechanisms within framing theory. We deployed these frames in a 2 × 2 experimental design and found that message frames that promoted accessibility and applicability significantly increased perceptions of severity, susceptibility, and reduced behavioral intentions to tan. Our results support framing theory and provide practical implications for message designers who use frames to inform and persuade.

Rader, Kara; Hovick, Shelly R.; Bigsby, Elisabeth

doi: 10.1080/10510974.2021.1899006pmid: N/A

Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise among young women, and a key factor in STI prevention is partner communication about STIs. Because entertainment narratives are shown to positively influence behavior change, the current study examined whether exposure to a romance novel excerpt wherein successful STI communication was modeled (versus one without) was associated with increased STI communication intentions. Guided by the Integrative Model for Behavioral Prediction, we also explored potential cognitive mechanisms of narrative exposure (i.e., self-efficacy, attitudes, normative beliefs) on behavioral intentions. Results of an experimental study with single, sexually-active college aged females (N = 166), showed exposure to a narrative including behavioral modeling was associated with increased perceived injunctive norms for STI communication. Self-efficacy and descriptive norms were also associated with STI communication intentions. Results suggest that when developing text-based STI communication narratives, it may be particularly important to build self-confidence and frame STI communication behavior as something others do.

Frazer, Rebecca; Robinson, Melissa J.; Knobloch-Westerwick, Silvia

doi: 10.1080/10510974.2021.1876127pmid: N/A

Reduced counterarguing – the generation of questions and arguments in response to a message – has been proposed to be a mechanism of persuasion in a variety of contexts, yet many questions remain unanswered regarding the factors that influence this process. Building upon past theorizing in narrative persuasion, this present work investigates whether signaling of persuasive intent (signaling vs. no signaling) and the fictional presentation of texts (fact vs. fiction) decrease counterarguing and, in turn, increase persuasion. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design across four topics at three time points, hypotheses were tested with narratives regarding four controversial political issues, presented either with or without signaling of persuasive intent and in either a news or short fiction format. The online experiment demonstrated that the narratives impacted political attitudes, even when captured in a later follow-up session. However, neither persuasive signaling nor fictional presentation influenced counterarguing or the extent of attitude change, captured both immediately after narrative exposure and again in a follow-up survey two days later.

McAninch, Kelly G.; Abendschein, Bryan; Monk, J. Kale

doi: 10.1080/10510974.2021.1876749pmid: N/A

Research suggests that relational uncertainty corresponds with circumscribed communication, yet prior studies have not investigated the related constructs of falsifying information (deception) and concealing concerns to protect a partner (protective buffering). We grounded our investigation in the logic of relational uncertainty theorizing, which explains how uncertainty about a relationship complicates communication and corresponds with appraisals that the relationship is unsteady or chaotic. Our research questions centered on the (a) actor and partner effects of relational uncertainty on relational turbulence, (b) mutual influence of protective buffering and deception on perceptions of turmoil, and (c) protective buffering and deception as moderators in the association between actors’ and partners’ relational uncertainty and relational turbulence. Pairs of at-home partners and service members completed an online survey within a week of the service member’s homecoming to report relationship dynamics and communication during deployment. We found a positive association between actor and partner relational uncertainty and relational turbulence. Furthermore, actors’ (but not partners’) protective buffering and deception were positively associated with relational turbulence. Finally, we found partial evidence for the moderation effects of actors’ protective buffering and deception. We discuss broader implications for relational uncertainty, protective buffering, and deception among military couples.

Goode, Jayne R.; Knight, Kendra; Denker, Katherine J.; Cronin-Fisher, Valerie

doi: 10.1080/10510974.2021.1876128pmid: N/A

Increasing political polarization and growing animus toward political outgroup members may strain marriages in which spouses express political differences. For heterosexual married couples, interrelationships among gender, power, and political conflict may be of particular importance. The purpose of this study was to examine heterosexual spouses’ conflicts over political differences as a function of wives’ endorsement of gender-linked fate. Married, heterosexual women completed an online survey. Results demonstrate that in large part, the effect of wives’ gender-linked fate on reported conflict behaviors during political disagreements varies on the basis of husbands’ political party affiliation. Among women married to men who more strongly identify as Republican, greater endorsement of gender-linked fate associates with more pursuit of conflict, more competitive conflict tactics, and greater volatility and asymmetry in couple conflict patterns. When married to Democratic-leaning husbands, wives’ greater endorsement of gender-linked fate associates with more submissiveness during political conflicts.

Gettings, Patricia E.; Kuang, Kai

doi: 10.1080/10510974.2021.1917438pmid: N/A

Americans are increasingly uncertain about when and how they will retire. Couples may address this uncertainty together as they prepare for and envision retirement over the course of many years (e.g., saving money for decades) and, hence, need to learn about one another’s retirement preferences. Based on responses from married individuals, this exploratory study provides initial support for the theory of motivated information management (TMIM) in explaining information seeking processes about retirement preferences. In this sample, we found that older adults experienced more anxiety in response to retirement-related uncertainty and sought more information from their relational partners even when outcome expectancy was negative and efficacy assessment was low. Relational characteristics including marital quality and communal coping moderated TMIM paths, such that couples with higher marital quality and more communal coping responded more productively to retirement-related uncertainty. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Wallace, Lacey N.

doi: 10.1080/10510974.2021.1917436pmid: N/A

This study examined how exposure to terrorism-related news is associated with perceived threat of terrorist attacks and self-protective actions taken in response to terrorism. Data were obtained from a nationwide survey of U.S. residents. Results indicated that more frequent exposure to terrorism news was associated with higher perceived terrorism threat and more intended self-protective actions. The frequency of local television-based news exposure was positively associated with self-protective actions. There was no association between the news medium and perceived threat, with the exception of radio. Discussing news with others was positively associated with self-protective actions. Higher trust in the news was associated with increased perceived threat and greater intent to take self-protective action. Thinking critically about the news was associated with lower intent to engage in self-protection.