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Pepperdine Journal Of Communication Research Volume 10 // July 2022

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

Social Media Use, Disordered Eating, And Body Image In Adolescent Females: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Alara Ozpolat

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent females are especially at risk of developing eating disorders due to expectations surrounding body image, social pressures, and influence from peers. With the significant role of social media in daily life, the average adolescent currently spends several hours a day engaging with content on social media. The overall aim of this review was to better understand the impact of social media consumption on disordered eating and body image among female adolescents. The primary research questions explored within this systematic review were as follows: Is there a relationship between social media use, body image concerns, and/or eating disorder symptoms in …

Corporate Activism Best Practices In The Age Of Social Media, Fransisco Flores

Theses and Dissertations

Corporate activism, or the act of corporations speaking out on sociopolitical issues, has become more common with technological advances and social media access. Corporations’ role in society has evolved to include non-economic functions that aim to improve societal conditions. Despite corporations fulfilling additional societal roles, they face increased scrutiny from shareholders and stakeholders alike. Speaking out on social issues or staying silent causes ripple effects amongst their internal and external networks. Speaking out on social media while working for a private or publicly traded corporation can be challenging as it entails weighing a wide array of conditions, stakeholder desires, and …

Let Social Justice Roll Down Like Waves: A Rhetorical Analysis Of A Christian University's Response To The Black Lives Matter Movement, Daniela Margot Singleterry

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

In a time of heightening racial tensions and a nationwide declaration for social justice, Universities across the country had varying reactions and responses to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter and their role in creating spaces and resources for students. In this essay, I examine the way that Christian institution Pepperdine University handled the situation and examine the rhetorical strategies they used in their official statements released in response to the situation. Pepperdine University used repetition and sequencing, prophetic voice, and synecdochical gaze to communicate to their students that their first priority in light of the events was to …

Intercultural Conflict Analysis: Lessons From 'The Big Sick', Nicholas Rosenberg

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Globalization has had a very large impact on the complexity of the modern world. One of its most visible effects has been intercultural integration. Rising immigration has altered society’s professional, familial, and romantic relationships, making intercultural communication a new standard. This article explores this phenomenon in the 2017 comedy-drama film, “The Big Sick”.

Religion In Crisis: Exploring Muslim Refugee Coping Strategies, Isabella Yeager

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

A significant portion of today’s refugee population is either practicing or ethnically Muslim. Because the refugee experience can be very stressful and taxing, many refugees turn to religion as a coping tactic, a resource that informs both one’s general perspective on life and the development of coping strategies. Muslims draw specific coping strategies from their adherence to the Holy Qur’an and other Islamic teachings and practices.This research proposal aims to explore and describe the unique coping strategies that individuals develops and use throughout the Muslim refugee experience.

Faith In Film As Depicted By The Final Scenes Of 'Life Of Pi', Jackson Werner

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

The following essay seeks to analyze the ending scenes of the 2012 film Life of Pi and discover the rhetorical patterns and devices it employs to create an effective conclusion. The essay ultimately decides that the film employs prominent usage of patterns of repetition and anomaly (with assistance through patterns of omission, relationship and sequencing) to both establish narrative probability and fidelity as well as create a satisfying ending for its characters and its audience. The essay also asserts that the final scenes of the film are a rhetorical situation, and that the film attempts to give its main character …

Allyship Project: The Importance Of Religious Diversity, Rachel Higgins

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Many Christian Americans in the United States experience privilege due to Christianity being the majority religion in most of the West. Religious groups including Jews and Muslims in the United States often experience lives of marginalization and oppression due to being the minority. This article explores the relationship between these three religions as all being traced back to the ancient figure of Abraham, and the different experiences individuals have as part of these religions.

Social Media Usage And Self-Esteem Of College Students In Los Angeles Vs. Other American Cities, Emily Tortora

Global Tides

This study examines self-esteem levels of college students in accordance with their social media behaviors and residential cities. An online survey was used to compare Instagram behaviors and their Heatherton Self-Esteem scores between 51 college students from the Los Angeles area and 148 students from alternate American cities. It was hypothesized that college students from the Los Angeles area would report higher levels of social media activity and lower levels of self-esteem. Results did not show any significant trend in one’s residential location dictating social media behaviors, nor did one’s social media usage predict their levels of self-esteem. The study …

Pepperdine Journal Of Communication Research Volume 8 // May 2020

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research Volume 8 // May 2020

Thank You

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Thank you for reading Volume 8 of the Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research.

Strong, Powerful, And Beautiful, Katie O'Malley

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

In the months of September, October, and half of November (2019) I have observed and taken note of my performance of gender in social groups (athletics and sorority) and under the constraints of gendered expectations on Pepperdine University’s campus. In addition to these observations, I reflected on influential past experiences and re-read journal entries from my time at college. Through this self-analysis I have come to realize that my own gender performance constitutes both sides of the culturally affirmed binary with my female masculinity partnered with my permeable ego-boundary. Furthermore I found that while my gender performance breaks some of …

Capital Offense: The Rhetorical Importance Of Identifiers, Olivia Robinson

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

I aim to deconstruct the limits of rhetorical racial identifiers for people of the African diaspora, particularly within the context of the modern-day United States. The purpose of this essay is to analyze the terminology which enslaved Africans and their descendants have been subjected to in Anglo-Saxon media and the general American English lexicon. Additionally, its purpose is to discuss the efforts of Black people to standardize their own racial identifiers. I will define identifiers and discuss their purpose within racial systems. Within the framework of rhetorical hermeneutics, I will then explore the need for autonomy in selecting identifiers. Finally, …

The Rhetoric Surrounding Mary Cain, Katie O'Malley

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

As the date of the one hundred year anniversary of women gaining the right to vote approaches, one might believe that today’s society is successfully progressive in making strides toward equality for women. The reality is, while progressive strides have been made, society has not and is not close to achieving a space in which women do not face discrimination. This study observes the specific case of the professional female runner, Mary Cain, and her struggle against the hegemonic power system in place on professional running teams. By reading her article and sifting through the responses Cain received, it is …

The 3 P'S: Pewdiepie, Popularity, And Profitability, Lea Medina, Eric Reed, Cameron Davis

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

This article takes an in-depth look at the most subscribed individual YouTube channel, Pewdiepie, as of 2019. Using the theoretical framework of Parasocial Interactions Theory, Hegemonic Masculinities Theory (HMT), and Inclusive Masculinities Theory (IMT), it is possible to better understand the factors of Pewdiepie’s popularity that have led to profitability. By surveying 50 Pewdiepie experts (via Instagram and YouTube), data about this particular relationship between popularity and profitability was obtained. This article puts forth the argument that factors such as Pewdiepie’s consistent uploading and sense of humor contribute to his immense popularity which only makes him more profitable. The more …

Effect Of Hip Hop On Youth Consumerism, Joanna A. Cabalquinto

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Hip Hop’s persistent rise to popular culture has not gone unnoticed by marketers and brand managers, giving advertisements a prominent role in the lyrics and videos associated with the music. Young adults, specifically those aged 16 to 24, are particularly influenced by the advancement of branded entertainment as media permeates various areas of their life. Branded entertainment uses celebrity endorsements and product placements to combine popular culture with commercial advertisements. This study analyzes focus group discussions with reference to past studies to gain insight into three major themes: general attitude towards the current state of Hip Hop (including Rap as …

Resiliency Vs. The Coronavirus, Shelby Little

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Nature is a wild and untamed force for which we will never have all the answers, but isn’t that what makes it so special? At Pepperdine, we pride ourselves on being Waves. Waves of character, leadership, purpose, and service. Scientifically, waves can come in many different forms, whether it be a sound wave, visible light wave, or a microwave. Yet the wave that overpowers the rest is an ocean wave, the strongest force in nature. When I think of the ocean, I think of a hungry and relentless force, something with a strong foundation that can be stopped by almost …

Table Of Contents And Editor's Notes, Daniela Singleterry

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

Climate Change, Social Media, And Generation Z, Melanie Morris

Theses and Dissertations

Recent publications report that adults known as Generation Z, between the ages of 18 to 23, increasingly rely upon social media to gain knowledge of social issues. Given social media's embeddedness in Generation Z's life, this study sought to understand if or how social media has influenced and possibly empowered Generation Z to act on social issues, particularly global climate change. This study used a phenomenological research method, which focused on the commonality of Generation Z's lived experience. Emerging themes collected through a literature review and data portray Generation Z as maturing into adulthood as tech-savvy, diverse, and inclusive self-starters. …

"Thanks For The Free Products! #Ad": The Effects Of The Number Of Followers And Sponsorship Disclosures On The Credibility Of Instagram Influencers, Allison Renee Cox

Theses and Dissertations

Instagram influencers regularly promote products for brands. Some influencers follow Federal Trade Commission rules on advertising disclosures, such as putting "ad" or "sponsored" in a visible line of text, whereas others do not. Disclosures alert users that they are viewing an ad. Many social media users view influencers as authentic, trusted information sources, so it is important they are aware when viewing paid ads. How disclosures affect source credibility remains unclear. This study used 2 x 2 factorial design to evaluate the roles of two possible credibility enhancing factors: number of followers and advertising disclosures. Instagram users (N = …

Relationships Between Rejected And Accepted Romantic Initiation Behaviors On Social Media: Self-Esteem And Depressive Feelings In Face-To-Face Interactions, Katie Walker

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Snap, write, upload; smile, tag, post. These are the sequence of actions that have become prevalent amongst social media users. Now, more than ever, such platforms have enabled users to connect with each other, share information, and even initiate romantic relationships. Most social media are designed to stimulate positive interactions among users, for example via “likes” and “favorites,” (Valkenburg, Koutamanis, & Vossen, 2017). However, with this sense of empowerment through a screen also comes the possibility of becoming negatively affected by the interpersonal responses that one receives on social media. Romantic Initiation Behaviors (RIBs) occur anytime one reaches out to …

Call To Action: Climate Change Is Calling, Elizabeth Maccoy, Timothy Good, Sarah Fischbach Phd

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

The sustainability movement found in

many popular companies (i.e. Patagonia, Toms Shoes, Rareform) promotes helping the changing climate as part of their marketing strategy. Our research begins to uncover the benefits of these movements that shape student’s thinking towards sustainability. This study aims to evaluate sustainability on the campus of Pepperdine University from the students’ point-of-view after participating in a sustainability project in marketing classes. A convenience non-probability sample of 75 participants engaged in the quantitative Qualtrics online survey. Our results reveal that Pepperdine students who participated in the marketing campaign consider sustainability important, have positive attitudes toward the environment …

Undemocratic And Liable, Noel Kildiszew

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

The tragedy of World War II left the world in rubble. In 1945, a continent once controlled by fascist and communist dictators found itself in the process of rehabilitation not only of cities but also of government systems. With Hitler and Mussolini literally out of the equation, the world could seemingly recover peacefully. However, seventy-four years later in 2019, similar problems are beginning to rise out of the ashes of WWII. Under the presidency of Donald Trump, the United States government is beginning to align itself with fascist ideology. Traditionally, fascism creates social and government systems that support a centralized …

Male Gender Expression Conflict Between Baby Boomers And Millennials, Annelise Green, Caroline Mcclelland

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Ellen Degeneres cheerfully identifies herself as a Baby Boomer to her TV show audience, explaining that her generation was so-named because after World War II their parents said “We lived through the war, let’s make whoopee!” (Degeneres, 2016). Ellen then quips that “For you Millennials, making whoopee is like Netflix and Chill... But they were married,” (Degeneres, 2016). Here, Ellen has identified one of the key differences between two generations. Inasmuch as a person can be influenced by their parents, friends, or education, generations (or cohorts) can be impacted through the societal context surrounding their time of birth. Differences within …

Thank You

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Thank you for reading Volume 7 of the Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research.

$16.7 Million To Save One Reputation: How Starbucks Responded Amidst A Racial Sensitivity Crisis, Monica Avila, Hannah Parkin, Sabrina Galoostian

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

In April of 2016, two black men were sitting in a Starbucks store (Gayle, 2018) when an employee claimed they had to leave since they had not made a purchase. The two men refused to leave the store, which prompted the Starbucks barista to call the Philadelphia Police, claiming that the two men were trespassing. A viral video showed the two men being arrested and caused a public out roar. After the public started several protests at multiple Starbucks locations, the chain decided to take serious action and closed over 8,000 stores for a day to run a racial bias …

Table Of Contents And Editors' Notes, Emma Johnson, Kayla Elwy

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Table of Contents and Editors' Notes

Pepperdine Journal Of Communication Research Volume 7 // April 2019

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research Volume 7 // April 2019

Rhetorical Theory In The Age Of Social Media In Dear Evan Hansen, Katherine Quick

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Broadway hit musical, Dear Evan Hansen, has revolutionized the culture of theater, as the show discusses many issues facing society such as loneliness and anxiety as caused by the increasing use of social media. This musical creates a space to talk about important issues that often go unsung. In the song, “Waving Through a Window”, the main character Evan details many of his anxieties and worries, as he desires to fit in at school and navigate the world around him. This paper argues that the writers of Dear Evan Hansen effectively argue that today’s society is one in which teenagers …

The Cold War And The Discipline Of Negotiation, Bazil Cunningham

Global Tides

The Cold War period is perhaps one of the most tumultuous periods in modern history apart from the calamity of World War I and World War II. The juxtaposition of two world superpowers and the proliferation of nuclear arms resulted in extreme tension, uncertainty, and fear during the Cold War era. Although nuclear warfare was averted, experts all unanimously agree that the world barely escaped unscathed. This paper will provide detail surrounding the history of the Cold World Era, an in-depth discussion regarding the application of Negotiation theory to this conflict, and any conclusions that can be drawn. The synthesis …