Jon F. Nussbaum

An analysis of teachers' verbal communication within the college classroom: Use of humor, self‐disclosure, and narratives

The purpose of these investigations was to provide normative data regarding the use of certain verbal behaviors manifested by college teachers. Results of Study One indicated that usage of humor, self‐disclosure, and narratives by fifty‐seven college teachers was frequently relevant to course content and utilized to clarify course material. Results of Study Two suggested that award winning teachers utilized these same verbal behaviors also in relation to course content and clarification of course material. Post‐hoc comparative analyses of the results for Study One and Study Two indicated that significant differences in the average use of humor, self‐disclosure, and narratives existed between the two groups. However, results of Aspin‐Welch t‐tests also indicated no significant differences between the two groups of teachers in relation to the purpose in the use of these verbal behaviors (e. g. relevant to course content; clarification of course material). Implications are also discussed.

Effective teacher behaviors

This essay reviews literature published in education and communication from 1983 to 1990 relating teacher behavior to teaching effectiveness. Special attention is paid to the methods and procedures utilized to test theory that guides effective teacher behavior research. The article integrates research from education and communication, and concludes with suggestions for future research in the communication discipline.

Intergenerational communication across the life span

Contents: Introduction. Part I: Social Psychological and Developmental Foundations. Theoretical Foundations for the Study of Intergenerational Communication. Intergenerational Contexts and Contact. Social Cognitive Contributions: Intergenerational Attitudes and Stereotypes. Language, Cognition, and Age. Intergenerational Language Strategies: Underaccommodation. Intergenerational Language Strategies: Overaccommodation. Generational Identity and Age Identity. Part II: Intergenerational Relationship Communication. Adult Child-Elderly Parent Relationship. The Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship. Sandwiched Communication. Intergenerational Relationships Beyond the Family. Part III: Macrosocietal Perspectives. Intergenerational Conflict. Societal, Political, Public Policy Issues, and Intergenerational Communication. Cultural Perspectives on Intergenerational Communication. Epilogue.

Interpersonal communication in older adulthood : interdisciplinary theory and research

Interpersonal Communication and Older Adulthood - Mary Lee Hummert, Jon F Nussbaum and John M Wiemann An Introduction Age-Based Perceptions of Conversational Skills among Younger and Older Adults - Ellen Bouchard Ryan et al Age-Related Problems in the Use of Proper Names in Communication - Gillian Cohen The Effects of Alzheimers Dementia on Language and Communication - Susan Kemper and Kelly Lyons Presbycusis, Communication, and Older Adults - William A Villaume, Mary Helen Brown and Rieko Darling Verbosity in Older Adults - Dolores Pushkar Gold, Tannis Y Arbuckle and David Andres Talking Age and Aging Talk - Howard Giles et al Communicating through the Lifespan Stereotypes of the Elderly and Patronizing Speech - Mary Lee Hummert Frailty, Language and Elderly Identity - Bryan C Taylor Interpretive and Critical Perspectives on the Aging Subject Friendship in Older Adulthood - Jon F Nussbaum The Patients Presentation of Self in an Initial Medical Encounter - Michele G Green et al

Health literacy and cancer communication with older adults

OBJECTIVE The physiological, cognitive, language and communicative changes that take place as we enter into old age have become quite well documented within the social scientific literature. Many of these changes lead in some way to a lessening of previous interactive abilities and competencies. The new mantra for gerontologists attempting to help older adults compensate for these potential losses is to develop strategies to maintain existing abilities as long as possible. METHODS A literature review using online databases was performed. RESULTS Older adults who are diagnosed with cancer or help care for an individual coping with cancer must confront a health care system that demands a high level of health literacy to successfully manage the disease. Older adults may be at a distinct disadvantage in their ability to successfully cope with cancer because of age-related physiological, cognitive, psychological and communicative factors. CONCLUSION This paper highlights the relevant research findings and theoretical positioning that points not only to possible pragmatic dilemmas faced by those adapting to cancer but also highlights streams of research that scholars may wish to focus upon to better understand how older adults and their formal and informal caregivers can improve their cancer health literacy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Providers, patients, and caregivers must all participate in creating a health care environment of shared meaning and understanding of health messages tailored to the aging patient diagnosed with cancer. Health communication scholars have various theoretical, methodological, and pragmatic communication-based approaches that provide important contributions to the complexities of caring for the aging patient.

Dramatic Behaviors of the Effective Teacher

This study provides strong evidence that certain dramatic style behaviors systematically covary with whether one is perceived as an effective teacher. Almost 500 students evaluated target teachers,...

Instructor Communication Behaviors and Their Relationship to Classroom Learning

This study assessed the relationship between perceived instructor communication behaviors—i.e., communicator style, disclosiveness, and interpersonal solidarity—and classroom learning. It was found...

Shared stories of the grandparent-grandchild relationship

This research examined the storytelling that oftentimes characterizes interaction between grandparent and grandchild. Close to 120 individuals (college students) audiotaped an interaction with one of their grandparents. They were asked to have their grandparent first “tell a story that captures the meaning of life” for them. In addition, the grandparent was asked to complete the phrase, “To me, life is like_____.” the students were asked to tell their grandparent “a story that captured the essence of their life at this time in their life.” Students were divided into similar numbers of same and mixed sex grandparent-grandchild relationships. The audiotaped interactions were content analyzed. A major assumption of this investigation is that the story which each individual chooses to share with their relational partner reveals to some extent the definitional nature of their relationship. Results of the storysharing interaction across relations revealed some gender differences in the types of stories grandparents share with their grandchildren. The implications of the shared stories upon the relational dynamics of the grandparent-grandchild relationship are discussed. In addition, the metaphors used by the grandparents to describe life in the presence of their grandchildren are analyzed.

Retirees on Facebook: can online social networking enhance their health and wellness?

An individuals social network has a strong impact on his or her mental and physical health. This is of particular consequence for senior citizens who are at greater risk of social isolation after retirement, due to loss of spouse, mobility issues, and recent emphasis on aging in place, i.e., in smart homes. Can online social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook help alleviate social isolation of aging alone by enabling seniors to maintain high-quality social interactions? How can we make senior-friendly design improvements to SNSs? A preliminary national survey (N =168) of adults over 55 revealed that for those who had joined an SNS, the primary motivation cited for signing up was persuasion by a friend or family member, while non-users cited a strong lack of interest rather than a lack of knowledge or skill, with implications for theory and design of SNS technology for senior citizens.

Dialectical Tensions Underpinning Family Farm Succession Planning

Though succession planning is vital if a farm is to survive, many farm families fail to take necessary succession planning actions. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 members of nine small-farm families in Pennsylvania revealed that dialectical tensions surrounding a farm transfer influence succession planning readiness and action. This report identifies five indigenous dialectical tensions that influence succession planning and describes five praxis patterns families use to manage them. Practical applications are outlined for agriculture estate planning professionals and others involved in family inheritance communication services to provide effective assistance to farm families in their succession planning efforts.