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West Virginia University

Theses/Dissertations

2009

Social psychology

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Understanding The Expression And Implications Of Deceptive Affectionate Messages, Sean M. Horan Aug 2009

Understanding The Expression And Implications Of Deceptive Affectionate Messages, Sean M. Horan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Affectionate messages are important in romantic relationships as they are linked to multiple emotional, physical, and relational benefits (e.g., Floyd, 2006a). When examining affection, it is important to distinguish that feelings of affection and the communication of affection are two unique processes that theorists argue covary. Yet, deception researchers have found that individuals routinely lie to their non-married romantic partners about their feelings (DePaulo & Kasy, 1998; DePaulo, Kashy, Kirkendol, Wyer, & Epstein, 1996). This dissertation, composed of two studies, examined how individuals in non-married romantic relationships communicated deceptive affection and the implications of such messages. Study one used a …


The Dating Game: Cultivation Effects On Relational Investment, Thomas L. Meade Aug 2009

The Dating Game: Cultivation Effects On Relational Investment, Thomas L. Meade

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This study investigated the relationship between high exposure to reality television dating shows (Rock of Love, The Bachelorette, etc) and higher perceptions of alternatives to a current romantic relationship as explained by Cultivation Theory (Gerbner & Gross, 1973) and the Investment Model (Rusbult, 1980). This study employs interpersonal communication strategies to study media effects. Surveys were collected from 273 students at a large university. Results indicate higher exposure to reality television dating shows may cultivate a higher perception of alternatives to a current romantic relationship, however do not cultivate a belief that one's partner believes themselves to have a high …


Stay Or Leave? The Effects Of Communicative Infidelity On Relationship Outcomes, Colleen C. Malachowski Aug 2009

Stay Or Leave? The Effects Of Communicative Infidelity On Relationship Outcomes, Colleen C. Malachowski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of communicative infidelity (CI) motives on relationship outcomes. CI motives include jealousy, vengefulness, sexual self-esteem, sexual depression, and sexual preoccupation, while outcomes included forgiveness, reparation, voice, exit, loyalty, and neglect responses. Additionally, this study tested the relationship of commitment and satisfaction to relational outcomes. Participants were 215 undergraduate students currently involved in a romantic relationship. Participants were instructed to answer questions measuring their commitment and satisfaction levels, as well as read and respond to a CI scenario. Results indicated that commitment is positively related to voice responses and negatively related …


Measuring And Changing Negative Stuttering Stereotypes In Adolescents, Timothy W. Flynn May 2009

Measuring And Changing Negative Stuttering Stereotypes In Adolescents, Timothy W. Flynn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Stuttering is known to carry stereotypes, e.g., that people who stutter are nervous, anxious, and shy. Research has shown that negative stereotypes about people who stutter exist within the general population. Moreover, negative stereotypes exist among teachers, students, speech-language pathologists, and even the parents of people who stutter. While public opinion of stuttering does not vary dramatically between populations, the ways in which we might change it does. Research has shown that educational videos, books, and classes about stuttering do not appear to significantly alter public opinion positively.;This study compared the effectiveness of two forms of advocacy, a live presentation …


When Two Become One: Marital Couples' Public Performances And Couple Identity, Carrie D. Kennedy-Lightsey Jan 2009

When Two Become One: Marital Couples' Public Performances And Couple Identity, Carrie D. Kennedy-Lightsey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Communication researchers know little about marital couples' public performances, or how marital couples communicate as a nonsummative whole when in the presence of important others (e.g., friends, family, co-workers). Two studies were conducted to examine marital couples' public performances from a Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) (Hecht, 1993) framework. In the first study, 153 marital couples completed self-report measures to assess how marital couples' attachment styles and relationship awareness are related to identity gaps during public performances as well as how identity gaps relate to a variety of outcomes including communication satisfaction, feelings of being understood, conversational appropriateness, relationship satisfaction, …


Age Differences In Younger And Older Adults' Experience Of Interpersonal Problems, Leo Schlosnagle Jan 2009

Age Differences In Younger And Older Adults' Experience Of Interpersonal Problems, Leo Schlosnagle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Differences between younger (N=78) and older (N=78) adults' frequency of experience of interpersonal problems were examined. Previous research has shown age-related declines in contact frequency and negative interactions (Akiyama, et al., 2003; Carstensen, 1992). Aging has also been associated with concurrent increases in emotional closeness and relationship satisfaction with social partners (Birditt, et al., 2005; Lang & Carstensen, 2002), and social self-efficacy and problem-solving effectiveness (Artistico, Cervone, and Pezzuti, 2003; Blanchard-Fields, Mienaltowski, & Seay, 2007; Lachman, 1986). In the current study, older adults reported experiencing interpersonal problems significantly less often than younger adults. Older adults also reported less contact frequency …