Communication Commons^™

The Metroburb: American Values In Facebook Culture, Heather Marie Carlson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Using critical discourse analysis, fantasy themes were extracted from user profiles and postings to examine American values found in Facebook culture.

Core values found on Facebook worked to create not only socially recognizable identities enacted and communicated through the participants, but also a particular culture to which participants both reflected and contributed in Facebook. Themes and values extracted from findings indicate that Facebook users should be casual, technologically-aware, social, respectful and fair to others, “good little copers,” financially savvy while at the same time valuing higher education, a healthy lifestyle, family and travel.

Because Facebook is an interestingly fluid cultural …

Review Of Richard Junger's Becoming The Second City: Chicago’S Mass News Media, 1833-1898, John J. Pauly

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Expressed Emotion In Psychiatric Nurses And Its Relation To The General Role And Effects Of Emotions In Nursing, Lauren A. Buck

Senior Honors Theses

Nurses play a vital role in the health and care of a patient. Through that care, the nurse has the ability to improve the patient’s experience or ruin it. A vital component influencing the care provided are the emotions the nurse displays toward her coworkers, patients, and patients’ family members. The emotions of a nurse may positively or negatively impact a patient. The studies that examine the impact of the nurse’s emotions on patient’s outcomes are varied and few. The communication and emotion of nurses are likely to impact their care and, from that, the patient’s outcome; however, there is …

Using Social Judgment Theory To Identify Preexisting Attitudes In Millennial Audiences Of Public Radio, David W. Morrissey

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

As the Millennial generational group (individuals aged 34 or younger at time of publication) ages, it becomes a more important fundraising target for public radio organizations. This study explored ways to get members of the Millennial generational group more actively involved as financial contributors to public radio organizations. The Literature Review examined a brief history of public radio in the United States, including its move to listener funding, and the consolidation and homogenization of programming, which only occurred relatively recently and during the formative years of Millennials. The study used Social Judgment Theory as a theoretical framework to help identify …

A Case Study Of The Rhetorical Styles And Content Used In Devising And Delivering A Workplace Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Program As An Example Of A Gender-Related Power Construct In A Private Sector Workplace With A Predominantly Male Workgroup, Kimberly Campbell

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This work examines what rhetorical approaches were used in the devising and delivery of workplace training materials that address intimate partner violence and gender-related power constructs in a predominantly male workplace and why these approaches were chosen. Specifically, this study analyzes the language used throughout the discourse for the purposes of determining how language can shape the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of the participants. The data was obtained using the qualitative methods of rhetorical analysis and interviewing. The materials were analyzed and this data was synthesized with the results of interviews with the author of the discourse. Supporting research examines …

An Expectancy Violations Theory Study Of Employee Satisfaction, Melissa Cleland

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study seeks to find what drives employee satisfaction using the expectancy violations theory. An exploration of the literature including Judee Burgoon’s expectancy violations theory against leadership credibility, narcissistic communication, and use of power are fully discussed. Ethnographic research is used to study a nonprofit organization, the three employees of Nonprofit XYZ were surveyed, interviewed, and observed over a two week period. The Executive Director of Nonprofit XYZ allowed full access to her office space and employees, however, didn’t participate in the study. The results of the study showed that employee satisfaction was a direct result of specific leadership attributes …

Website Development: A Study Of The Communication And Decision-Making Process Associated With Developing An Effective Website Within A Complex Corporate Structure, Leslie Marie Hebert

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The 21st Century demands the use of technology and the internet to promote businesses and the services or products they provide. It is with this challenge that organizations are faced with how they can compete in their market place with their website. When an organization decides they need to create a website, several questions need to be asked and process structure needs to be created. In a complex organization, one with multiple offices and several employees, the communication process for developing a website can quickly become a multifaceted and unorganized if proper planning and communication tools have not been established. …

Media Portrayal Of The Feminist Movement: The Seattle Times Coverage From 1970 To 1979, Kelly Patricia Darrah

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This research examines how feminism has been covered by mass media in general, and specifically how The Seattle Times portrayed the women’s movement in the 1970s. The fight for women’s suffrage in the early 20th century marks the beginning of the modern women’s movement for equal rights. Most young women today agree with many of the feminist ideals but reject the label. Because media have been proven to have a strong influence on public opinion, the question arises as to whether agenda-setting and negative media coverage are reasons for this disconnect. Using content analysis, this study analyzes print news media …

An In-Depth Look At How The Social Context Of Relationships Influences Communication Media Choice For Young Adults, Laura Christine Jollay

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis explores the impact of relational influence on communication media choice in young adults in the United States. It applies the media richness and uses and gratification theories to identify the purpose of communication media in varying interpersonal relationships using face-to-face communication (FtF), phone, text messaging, instant messenger and email. It utilizes survey software to yield quantitative results in an anonymous environment to measure the perceived closeness of the most common relationships for young adults and what specific media is utilized for those relationships. This research design echoes the design of researchers in 2007 in Korea, who sought to …

Relationship Maintenance And Facebook, Kelli Kapp

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Research to date on Facebook users has not included part of Generation Y, those born from 1976 through 1989. This study examined the use of Facebook to maintain relationships to extend previous work by Steinfield and Lampe (2009), Pennington (2009), and Bryant and Marmo (2009) whose work served as a lens for comparison. A survey questionnaire (N=215) was administered to Facebook users to determine their uses for the site, frequency of use, and perceived closeness of Facebook friends. Results suggested Facebook has become a daily part of respondent’s lives. Questions regarding Facebook use indicated the number one motivator for using …

What Is The Perceived Impact Of Social Media On Personal Relationships In Adolescence?, Samantha Sexton

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

A study was conducted to review the perceived impact social media plays in children’s personal relationships during adolescence. Surveys and interviews were sent out to 50 subjects in an effort to gather and compile information for analysis. The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (Meerkerk et al.) was used in a survey format and administered to participants to access their perceptions in which their child(ren) and/or grandchild(ren)’s use the internet and social media. A 5-point Likert Scale was also implemented in order to provide measurable analysis. Adult anxiety in regards to social media was observed at different levels depending on the developmental …

Identifying Online Communities As Self-Sustaining Ecosystems For Fulfilling Members' Needs, Elliot S. Volkman

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The following study shows what current online community members expect of their communities, and how each member plays a vital role in the self-sustaining ecosystem. In the past online communities were self-contained and managed by moderators who would often generate much of the content, and set guidelines for the users within the community. Based on the results of this study members now show that there are two different types of Lurkers (Active and Passive), which make up the majority of all members within a community. Active Lurkers have been identified as those who share content externally and back to their …

Symbolic Convergence: A Case Study Of Magnum, P.I., Melissa C. Wessman

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The study that follows examines the depiction of Vietnam veterans in the television series Magnum, P.I., particularly the representation of the struggles Vietnam veterans faced when reintegrating into civilian society after the war. Assessment of the series using fantasy theme analysis reveals that Magnum, P.I. generates a shared understanding for regular viewers of the post-combat experience for veterans. This is important to note because entertainment media, namely television, is a far-reaching outlet that can be utilized to teach and expand viewer understanding of social issues, such as the plight of veterans. Also, the struggle of veterans to reintegrate into society …

Lifestyle, Identity And Social Impacts Of Branding A Group, Erin Irene Comer

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The focus of this research was the impact of branding on individuals who ride Harley Davidson motorcycles, a group of very loyal consumers. The postmodern theories of Jean Baudrilliard and Frederic Jameson were used as a lens to understand why the brand of Harley Davidson has developed and sustained a lifestyle of loyal followers. The work of these theorists suggest that in our current society there are no new ideas, consumers look to the past to define their present and happiness for the average person is based on consumerism and the need to always need more. The finding of the …

Sneaky Peeks: An Examination Of The Use Of Subliminal Messages In Children's Television And Film, Mary Patricia Charvat

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis project is an account of how advertising agencies and film and television companies make use of subliminal messaging and product placement to manipulate viewers‟ subconscious minds. According to research, there is some skepticism in some areas as to the effectiveness of their subliminal messages. However, it is clear that there is some recognizable effect; statistics show an increase in obesity and self-image and self-esteem problems spurred on by subliminal messaging in television and film aimed at the young. The selected literature included well-known books on subliminal messages and other materials covering 50 years of research. The literature also …

Cracking The Case: Uncovering Key Communication Practices Of Successful Financial Professionals, Heidi Struve Currey

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The economic events of recent years have unquestionably had an impact on the financial services industry; however the challenge to retain quality financial services professionals has been a struggle for decades. A review of the literature found that Cognitive Bias Theory, Social Judgment Theory, Cognitive Dissonance Theory and the Narrative Paradigm Theory uncovered two potentially valuable communication techniques that could be used by financial professionals: asking questions and sharing stories. The philosophical and ethical underpinning of this study assumed that all financial professionals view every client relationship as if it were personal; so that when a financial professional experiences success …

Direct Instruction And African American Middle School Students, Zelda Togun

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study examined teacher-created instruction and direct instruction using The Muted Group Theory. The study questions were: RQ1: Which is the better method for teaching African American middle-school children? RQ2: What role does Muted-Group Theory play in the academic choices offered to families of African American middle school children?

Women's Perceptions Of Identity Construction On Facebook, Melissa Melcombe

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Facebook is an online space where people can form a self-presentation strategy and construct an identity through a personal profile. Because women are the biggest users of Facebook, this qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore the factors women between the ages of 18-34 consider when putting together their identity online. The data revealed that women are acutely aware of Facebook behavior and its consequences. This awareness is demonstrated by a woman's desire to appear a certain way for a professional audience and the fact that a woman's judgment of other users affects her behavior on the social network. The …

Friends On Facebook: The Impact Of Facebook On Interpersonal Friendships Of Female College Students, Kathryn T. Schultz

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Using the Internet is extremely common among college students, and one major function of Internet use is communicating with friends from their offline lives. With the popularity of social networking sites, it is important to explore how the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) is impacting female college students' relationships. Two theories provided a foundation for this study: Walther's social information processing theory (2002) and Baxter and Montgomery's relational dialectics theory (1996). Quantitative research was done for this work by surveying female college students regarding their feelings about Facebook's potential impact on their interpersonal friendships. Some initial findings include that, of …

Transparency Through Social Media: Improving The Credibility Of Pr Professionals In The Twenty-First Century, Pete Voss

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This correlational study identifies opportunities for PR (public relations) professionals to gain trust by engaging online communities using unprecedented levels of transparency. The thesis begins by reviewing literature and setting the stage for how and when PR gained its PR problem (Thomas et al., 2009). The study observes how PR professionals are currently engaging these audiences, and also demonstrates how the public perceives these actions. The philosophical framework for this study stemmed from Aristotle's belief in goodwill in communities (Book 1, Chapter 1), and Augustine's (1909) belief that "All wish to rejoice in truth" (p. 186). Sherif's Social Judgment Theory …

Cultivating Culturally Empathic Environments In The Academic Setting, Sharon-Rose Lau

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Teachers, as leaders and facilitators in the classroom, not only disseminate information, but ultimately propagate and perpetuate ideologies that shape their students' cognitive world. However, with the enrollment of minority students increasing in the United States, greater challenges are encountered as teachers struggle to promote advocacy, respect, and understanding in the classroom. Navigating the relationally ambiguous or uncertain requires certain cognitive tools. The Uncertainty Management Theory which encompasses relational mindfulness and empathy assists individuals in developing the communicative skills necessary to fortify relational contingencies. This thesis explores the communicative methods teachers use to create culturally empathic environments within the academic …

A Critical Analysis Of Direct To Consumer Advertising Of Prescription Medications Using Language Expectancy Theory, Lisa Marie Emig

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis explores the relationship of Direct to Consumer Advertising (DTCA) and Language Expectancy Theory (LET) by conducting a critical analysis of three medications used to treat depression. Society and the medical profession have created a dichotomy between the well and pathological state. The study reviews if DTCA uses language and visual cues to influence the use of medications, to downplay potential side effects, to portray life as better when taking a medication and to remove personal responsibility for health. There are common elements used in DTCA of antidepressants. The review of the common elements shows the use of specific …

Commenting On The News: How The Degree Of Anonymity Affects Flaming Online, Frank Mungeam

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The internet has become the number two for news (Pew Research Center, 2011). News organizations which previously did not allow commenting on the news now routinely permit anonymous commenting on stories on their online news websites. This practice has resulted in widespread reports of personal attacks known as flaming (Hlavach & Freivogel, (2011). This study examines the degree to which the anonymity of users affects their tendency to engage in flaming in online news forums through a qualitative analysis of four different types of news stories on four different news websites, two allowing anonymous comments and two requiring use of …

An Examination Of Workplace Racial Microaggressions And Their Effect On Employee Performance, Ronee L. Hunter

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Although laws regulate blatant discrimination in the workplace, researchers have shown that invisible racism occurs through everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental communications. Invisible racism, in the form of microaggressions, includes subtle comments that negate or invalidate the thoughts, feelings, or experiences of a person of color. Microaggressions are words or actions that occur in communication that communicators may be unaware are a form of racism. Racial microaggressions were examined in this study through the lens of symbolic interactionism. This theory studies race as a structural category reproducing inequality, and it illuminates the influence of culture and communication "to reproduce racism …

Does The Use Of Technology In The Classroom Increase Students' Overall Academic Performance?, Jessica Mariah Brown

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Technological advances and a decrease in the cost of technology have resulted in nearly 93 percent of public schools classrooms in the United States having access to the Internet, and a considerable increase in educational programs that incorporate technology into the curriculum (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 2005). Due to the prevalence of technology in the classroom, the effectiveness of such programs has become a prevailing research topic amongst social scientists. This thesis reviews past research and provides an analysis of relevant studies conducted within the last ten years. Using Daft and Lengel's media richness theory as a basis, this …

The Components Of A Healthy Culture: Umpqua Bank, Joanna Nasser Mansour

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

When analyzing an organization's success, taking a cultural approach allows the dissection of key components necessary to determine and produce such findings. Culture brings more to the table than just the values and ways an employee is expected to conduct their daily job duties. Umpqua Bank, an Oregon-based bank, was the organization chosen for this study because the employees take great pride in its unique retail bank culture. Geertz's Cultural Approach (1973) and Edgar Schein's (1991) idea of Three Levels of Culture: core beliefs and assumptions; values and behavioral norms and artifacts were utilized, along with other communication theories used …

Nonverbal Communication In Small Group Leadership: Using Nonverbal Competence To Increase Group Cohesiveness, Angela Tice

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Cohesiveness is an important component of small groups and contributes to the overall effectiveness of the group. The purpose of this study was to research leaders' nonverbal cues and the potential effect they have on group cohesiveness. Grounded in Burgoon's expectancy violations theory, Pearce and Cronen's coordinated management of meaning theory, and Mead's symbolic interactionism theory, this study examines the leader's ability to demonstrate their competence in nonverbal communication, and as a result increasing the group's cohesiveness. The data for this exploratory study came from two different surveys, non-participant observations, and participant interviews. This study revealed that positive nonverbal communication …

Mobile Communication Devices And Government-Public Engagement, Lloyd Brown

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Americans have seemingly gone mobile. With a mobile communication device - cell phone, smartphone, iPad or other tablet devices - people can send and receive information anytime and anywhere. Meanwhile, government organizations primarily at the federal government level have been encouraged to participate in and engage with the public through the internet. This project uses a media ecology frame to look at whether the increasing mobility of communication made possible through the acceptance and proliferation of wireless technology devices such as smartphones, tablet and laptop computers and e-readers is affecting the relationship between state department of transportation agencies and the …

Bridging The Gap Between Interpersonal Communication Skill Differences In Employees: An Interpersonal Communication Training Curriculum, Denise Marie Crowell

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The workforce is a social environment where particular skills are essential in order for employees to perform well, have a competitive edge and succeed in their careers. Interpersonal communication is one of the skills needed in every type of workplace setting. The ability to actively and empathetically listen, adapt communication style according to others and situations, confirm others in communication, resolve conflict, manage tone in writing and effectively communicate in a group are all crucial skills for employees that require exceptional interpersonal communication. However, constructivism theory suggests that due to variances in cognition, not everyone is able to communicate interpersonally …

Youth Mentoring: A Guide For Mentors With Practical Application Of Communication Principles To Facilitate Interpersonal Relationships And Youth Development, Erin Camille Wilson

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

As individuals, we believe we have the unique ability to choose our paths and carve out our destiny in America. As we sculpt our path, through a variety of decisions, our relationships often serve as a governing force developing our person along our journey. Due to their influential nature, this project explores the power of mentor mentee relationships as it relates to youth development. Grounded in the theory of transcendence, the social penetration theory and the uncertainty reduction theory, this project investigates youth mentoring and its positive influence on three basic parameters: social and emotional effect, cognitive effect, and identity …