Narissra Maria Punyanunt-Carter

The Relationship between Computer-Mediated-Communication Competence, Apprehension, Self-Efficacy, Perceived Confidence, and Social Presence

The purpose of this study was to create a model for examining the relationships between computer-mediated-communication (CMC) apprehension, CMC skill, and CMC presence. Using structural-equation modeling, the study found that CMC apprehension and CMC skill negatively corelated with each other (− .36). Furthermore, CMC apprehension was not shown to relate to CMC presence (− .09), but CMC presence was shown to be impacted by CMC skill (.41). Increased skill in virtual environments likely enhances perceptions of presence in CMC.

Religious Fundamentalism and Intercultural Communication: The Relationships Among Ethnocentrism, Intercultural Communication Apprehension, Religious Fundamentalism, Homonegativity, and Tolerance for Religious Disagreements

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationships among ethnocentrism, intercultural communication apprehension, religious fundamentalism, homonegativity, and tolerance for religious disagreements. This study found a positive relationship between religious fundamentalism with ethnocentrism and homonegativity. The study further found a negative relationship between tolerance for religious disagreement with ethnocentrism and religious fundamentalism. Lastly, homonegativity, ethnocentrism, and tolerance for religious disagreement were shown to account for approximately 17.5% of the variance in an individuals intercultural communication apprehension. However, religious fundamentalism was not shown to be related to intercultural communication apprehension.

Advisor–Advisee Communication Two: The Influence of Verbal Aggression and Humor Assessment on Advisee Perceptions of Advisor Credibility and Affective Learning This paper was presented at the 2004 National Communication Association Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

The goal of the current study was to further the research line initiated by the authors that examined the influence of a variety of communication variables in the Graduate Advisor–Advisee interpersonal relationship. The current study examined the relationship between advisee perceptions of advisor verbal aggression and humor assessment and the impact these variables have on advisee affect and advisee perceptions of advisor credibility (competence, caring/goodwill, and trustworthiness). Findings revealed that advisor humor assessment was positively related to both advisee affect and advisee perceptions of advisor credibility. The study further found that advisor verbal aggression was negatively related to both advisee affect and advisee perceptions of advisorp credibility.

Reported affectionate communication and satisfaction in marital and dating relationships.

This study analyzed affectionate communication and satisfaction in marital and dating relationships. 100 married and dating partners completed the Relationship Satisfaction Scale, the Interpersonal Communication Satisfaction Inventory, and the Affectionate Communication Index. Analysis indicated both married and dating partners were satisfied with their relationships; however, individuals in dating relationships reported higher Nonverbal and Verbal Affectionate Communication than individuals in married relationships. Moreover, there was a significant difference between married and dating partners on Supportive Affectionate Communication. Married partners were more likely to express supportiveness than dating partners.

The Perceived Realism of African American Portrayals on Television

Based on questionnaire responses from 412 undergraduate students, this study sought to examine specific perceptions (i.e., occupational roles, negative personality characteristics, low achieving status, and positive stereotypes) of African American portrayals on television. Results revealed that television viewers perceive the occupational roles and personality characteristics that African Americans portray on television as real or true to life. On the contrary, viewers do not perceive the low-achieving roles and positive stereotypes of African Americans on television as realistic or accurate. These findings support past research that suggests that television can affect the way viewers think about African Americans in general.

Relation between active mediation, exposure to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and US preschoolers’ social and emotional development

Abstract This study explored the relationship between active mediation, exposure to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and key indicators of preschoolers’ social and emotional development. One hundred and twenty-seven children aged 2–6 either watched or did not watch 10 episodes of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood over a two-week period. Results revealed that preschoolers who watched the program exhibited higher levels of empathy, self-efficacy, and emotion recognition when their regular TV-watching experiences are frequently accompanied by active mediation. This was especially true for younger preschoolers and preschoolers from low-income families. Implications for policy-makers, parents, producers of prosocial programming, and educators are discussed.

An Examination of Reliability and Validity of the Religious Communication Apprehension Scale

Religious communication apprehension (RCA) is conceptualized as the anxiety or fear associated with either real or anticipated interaction about religion with people of other religions. A RCA scale was constructed and results from this study indicated that the scale is both generally valid and reliable. In this study, 426 participants completed surveys regarding their religious communication behavior. Findings also revealed a positive relationship between religious communication apprehension and religious receiver apprehension. There was a negative relationship among religious communication apprehension, tolerance for religious disagreement, and willingness to communicate about religion.

Does Listening to Mozart Affect Listening Ability

Considerable research has been conducted testing Rauscher, Shaw, and Kys (1993) Mozart Effect (ME). This study attempts to replicate, in part, research that tested the ME on listening comprehension abilities. Also included in this study is an examination of control group issues in current day research. We hypothesized that students who listen to Mozart would demonstrate greater listening comprehension than students involved in one of four control groups. Students were exposed to one of five treatments and then completed a listening comprehension test about a videotaped lecture they viewed. Ultimately, results uncovered a ME when comparing the Mozart A (alpha) group with the alternative treatment control groups (Mozart B [beta] music and Rock and Roll music), but no ME when comparing the Mozart A group and the non-music control groups (sitting in silence or working on a crossword puzzle). Discussion focused on the ME and listening comprehension as well as on the nature of control groups in experimental research.

College Students’ Perceptions of Media Portrayals of Divorce

ABSTRACT This study takes an exploratory, qualitative approach to examine college students’ perceptions about divorce in the media. Findings suggest that participants perceived both positive and negative representations of divorced families in the media they consume, highlighting the complex nature of navigating and communicating through a divorce. Specifically, college students reported on aspects of the ex-spousal relationship, how children are affected, and the contrast between life pre- and postdivorce. An inductive theme analysis revealed several positive and negative media representations of divorce. Largely, college students perceive media messages about divorce to be accurate portrayals and impactful representations.

Perceptions of Divorce, Closeness, Marital Attitudes, Romantic Beliefs, and Religiosity Among Emergent Adults From Divorced and Nondivorced Families

ABSTRACT This article analyzes 401 college students’ perceptions of love, romance, parent–child closeness, and religiosity. Results revealed that college students from divorced homes were not as close with their parents and reported decreased religiosity compared to participants from nondivorced homes, and that these factors are associated with young adults’ views and expectations on romantic relationships. The work presented here provides implications for future studies in understanding the beliefs about and effects of divorce for adult children. Further, results from this study suggest that college students have different expectations regarding love, romance, and marriage based on a number of family relation factors. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.