Robert Lemieux

Cognitive Processing of Fear-Arousing Message Content:

Path analyses were conducted to test models consistent with predictions made by the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) and Heuristic-Systematic Model (HSM) of cognitive processing. Levels of fear-arousing message content and trait anxiety were controlled. Broken out by fear-arousing content, a control analogous to issue involvement, the data show antagonistic message processing. For low-fear message recipients, messages were processed centrally (systematically). For high-fear message recipients, there is evidence of peripheral (heuristic) processing. Broken out by trait anxiety, a control analogous to both chronic fear and need for cognition, there is evidence of both concurrent and antagonistic processing. For low-anxiety people, there is evidence of simultaneous processing of central (systematic) and peripheral (heuristic) cues. For high-anxiety people, there is evidence of central (systematic) processing.

INTIMACY, PASSION, AND COMMITMENT IN YOUNG ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS: SUCCESSFULLY MEASURING THE TRIANGULAR THEORY OF LOVE

The previous tests of the Triangular Theory of Love have proven problematic, specifically centered on measurement of the three components of Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment. Factor analysis of a new set of measures for 123 women and 110 men indicated support for three distinct factors. Sex differences indicated that women scored significantly higher on Intimacy and Commitment than men. Components were also significantly related to a measure of Relational Satisfaction. Regression analysis indicated that each component predicted significant variance for scores on Satisfaction.

Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment among Married Individuals: Further Testing of the Triangular Theory of Love:

The Triangular Theory of Love has created much interest among researchers in relational communication. Previous attempts at evaluating the theory have proven problematic. Specifically, the problems centered around the measurement of the theorys three components of intimacy, passion, commitment. Recent research, which employed a new measure, offered support for the theorys primary assumptions. To expand upon this, the current study factor analyzed data from a sample of 213 married individuals. Current results provided support for the triangular theorys primary assumptions. The principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation indicated support for three distinct and reliable factors. The three components were also significantly related to scores for relational satisfaction. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that each component was a significant predictor of relational satisfaction. Men scored significantly higher on intimacy than women.

Affinity-seeking, social loneliness, and social avoidance among Facebook users.

This study explored the relations between use of the social networking site Facebook and scores on affinity-seeking, social loneliness, and social avoidance by 313 college students. Social loneliness and social avoidance, but not affinity-seeking, were positively and statistically significantly related to time spent using Facebook. The number of close Facebook friends was negatively and statistically significantly related to social loneliness and social avoidance. Women perceived Facebook as a more integral part of daily interactions than did men. 38% of the 283 Facebook members indicated their accounts contained information and/or a picture that could embarrass them, with men having significantly more embarrassing content than women. The findings are discussed within the context of social compensation.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment: Testing the Assumptions of the Triangular Theory of Love

Using data from two previous studies, the current study tested the assumptions in the Triangular Theory of Love about changes in intimacy, passion, and commitment over time. Using a cross-sectional design, the study examined differences in the three components among 446 romantically involved individuals who were either casually dating, exclusively dating, engaged, or married. In support for the assumptions in the Triangular Theory specifically, analyses indicated significant negative partial correlations between intimacy and relationship length as well as between passion and relationship length. The correlation between commitment and relationship length was significant and positive. One-way analysis of variance of relational stage gave similar results. Reported intimacy and passion scores were lowest for participants who were casually dating, higher for participants who were engaged, and lower for married participants. Reported commitment scores increased from casually dating participants to the married participants.

Attachment styles and the evaluation of comforting responses: A receiver perspective

The current study explored emotional distress and comforting messages from a receivers perspective. This approach differs from most comforting research, which focuses on the senders ability to provide comfort. After reading a scenario that depicted a major distressing event or a daily distressing event, subjects selected the Burleson and Samter (1985) comforting strategy that would most alleviate their emotional distress. In an attempt to explain a subjects perceptions of comforting, attachment styles, likelihood of seeking support, and level of emotional discomfort were also assessed. Results indicated that subjects desired a mid‐level comforting response regardless of whether they were distressed over a daily event or major event. This result is counter to the sender oriented comforting research, which suggests that providing higher‐level comforting responses is optimal. Subjects in the death scenario were more upset by the event and more likely to seek social support. Secure attachment subjects desired a significantly higher‐level comforting message than anxious/ambivalent and avoidant individuals. Additionally, females desired a higher level comforting response, were more likely to be upset by the distress, and were more likely to seek support than males.

Interfacing interpersonal and mediated communication: use of active and strategic self-disclosure in personal ads

This project examined self‐disclosure in personal ads as an active strategy to reduce the uncertainty associated with forming new relationships. The depth of the information a writer discloses about the self in personal ads was found to be positively related to the depth of information the writer discloses about desirable characteristics of a reader/respondent. The types of information an ad writer includes about desired respondents was the best predictor of the types of information disclosed about the self, providing a means for potential respondents to make judgments of similarity or dissimilarity. The age of ad writers was negatively related to the depth of disclosure about the self. Ad writers’ gender and type of relationship sought were unrelated to depth of disclosure. Implications of this research for definitions of self‐disclosure, reciprocity, and the interface between interpersonal and mediated forms of communication are discussed.

Fictional Privacy among Facebook Users

The current study involved the creation of a fictional Facebook account with limited information and was designed to assess whether participants would accept the friendship of an ambiguous, unknown person. Results indicated that 325 Facebook members (72% of the sample) willingly accepted the friendship of the unknown individual. Results are discussed in relation to privacy concerns, norms of reciprocity, and allowing access to potentially embarrassing information and/or pictures.

I'm lonely and apprehensive: The presentation of stigmatizing information in personal ads

The present study attempted to extend previous personal ad research by contacting ad writers directly. Previous research has suggested that personal ad writers may differ from the general population along certain personality characteristics, and that certain types of information they present may be perceived as stigmatizing. This studys specific intentions were to explore the types of information presented, assess loneliness via the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and communication apprehension via the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension. Results indicated that personal ad writers who divulge stigmatizing information experience a greater degree of loneliness and communication apprehension than ad writers presenting non‐stigmatizing information.

A Little Comfort for the Theoretically Distressed: A Follow-Up to Burleson et al.'s Response

In the opening line of their response, Burleson et al. (2005) express pleasure in having their research prove interesting and useful. We, too, would like to express that same pleasure, but apparently the latter (and, perhaps, even the former) has come under question by Burleson et al. In fact, our research is not only not useful; but, it makes an ‘‘erroneous assumption’’ that led us to ‘‘misinterpret the meaning and significance of [our] data.’’ In an attempt to address Burleson et al.’s concerns and reduce their apparent discomfort, we offer the following response. One of Burleson et al.’s primary concerns is that our study undermines twenty plus years of comforting research. Specifically, their concern is that scholars and practitioners will start advocating the use of moderate comforting messages. Although our results may be interesting, they are certainly not definitive enough to suggest some sort of paradigm shift. Nor would we ever expect such a shift to occur. Nowhere in the manuscript do we advocate abandoning the current emphasis on comforting. Burleson et al. make the assumption that we are advocating the implementation of moderately based messages as opposed to highly comforting messages. Again, we see nothing in our manuscript to suggest that. Instead, what we have is evidence that certain individuals are comforted by midlevel responses. If anything, our results reiterate previous comforting research*/ individuals lack experiential comforting knowledge. These data are not anomalous. Attachment Theory (Bowlby, 1969, 1973) suggests that individuals with specific attachment styles would have different comforting needs. Consider the case of an avoidant type person. During childhood and adolescence, much of their primary caregiving probably consisted of receiving mid-level and/or low-level comforting responses. Conceivably, this becomes the level of comfort that is sufficient enough to alleviate their distress. In essence, they require a different level comforting response