Cynthia Berryman-Fink

The effects of sex of source and target on interpersonal conflict management styles

This study investigated the effects of subject sex and target sex on reported conflict management styles. Subjects (n = 147) were instructed to think of either a same‐ or opposite‐sex person while completing the Thomas‐Kilmann Conflict Mode instrument. Results indicated that males were more likely than females to report using a competing style, while females were more likely than males to report using a compromising style. Regardless of their own gender, all subjects were more likely to report using an accommodating style if the target was female. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Perceptions of women managers and their communicator competencies 1

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship among attitudes toward women in general and women as managers, and perceptions of the communication competencies of women managers. Correlations were moderate to high. Women demonstrated a more positive regard for women in general, a less traditional view of women as managers, and a more positive perception of women manager communication competencies. Individuals who had worked with/for a woman manager showed a less traditional view of women as managers then those who did not have such work experience.

Testing the effects of a competency‐based interpersonal communication course

Four skills (empathy, descriptiveness, owning thoughts and feelings, and self‐disclosure) were identified as being appropriate operationalizations of interpersonal competence. The skills were measured by ranking and scoring students’ response options to hypothetical interpersonal situations. In three experiments, pretests and post‐tests were administered to students in various sections of a 100‐level interpersonal communication course and compared with the competency scores of groups of students who did not participate in an interpersonal communication course. Results, by analysis of variance, indicated that students who had been taught a skills‐based interpersonal communication course significantly increased their interpersonal competence.

The Effect of Sex and Feminist Orientation on Perceptions in Sexually Harrassing Communication

Two hundred respondents (103 males, 97 females) completed three measures of feminist orientation, evaluated eighteen situational incidents for the extent of sexual harassment and the offensiveness of behaviors contained in the incidents, and spontaneously produced alternative labels to sexual harassment. Women perceived more behaviors as sexual harassment and rated sexual behaviors as more offensive than did men. Feminists perceived more sexual harassment than did non-feminists. The essay discusses the types of alternative labels provided by men and women and offers sex role socialization and hegemony explanations for discursive reframing practices.

Communication instruction in a lifelong learning program

This article discusses the concept of lifelong learning, and argues that a communication‐based curriculum is fundamental to its success. The article presents an example of a model lifelong learning program, and a course entitled “Communication Skills for Adult Learners”; which is central to it. Course objectives, topics for instruction, and resources are included.