Incivility in public discussions has received increasing attention from academic and popular commentators recent years. In an effort to better understand the nature determinants of such incivility, this study examined a 3-week census articles comments posted local newspaper's website—totaling more than 300 6,400 comments. The results content analysis show that incivility occurs frequently is associated with key contextual factors, as topic article sources quoted within article. We also find...

A meta-analysis of 54 cases testing the effectiveness inoculation theory at conferring resistance and examining mechanisms was conducted. The analyses revealed messages to be superior both supportive no-treatment controls resistance. Additionally, results refutational same different preemptions equally effective reducing attitude change. However, data were not consistent with some predictions made in narrative reviews inoculation. No significant increase as a function threat or involvement...

This manuscript reports 2 experiments that were conducted to test and extend the work of J. P. Dillard L. Shen (2005) examining cognitive affective processes involved in psychological reactance. In particular, studies reported here (a) examined best-fitting model reactance (b) tested 3 factors may affect including argument quality, severity consequences associated with message topic, magnitude request made message. The results showed intertwined cognitive–affective was processes. Magnitude...

This study uses survey data from the Pew Internet and American Life Project to advance digital divide research by exploring how smartphone dependence—in which one’s only means of accessing is via a smartphone—and use differ between key demographic groups in United States. Results show differences dependence based on race, age, income, education. Minority group members, younger, lower less educated users are more likely be smartphone-dependent. Additionally, minorities younger individuals...

Incivility in public discourse has become a pressing concern of citizens and scholars alike, but most research focused narrowly on incivility elite discourse. The present study examines how the lay perceives incivility, using two surveys to track differences perceptions specific types uncivil speech identify predictors those perceptions. results show that different elicit responses. In particular, name-calling vulgarity were rated as more than other acts. addition, several demographic,...

Journal Article A Meta-Analysis of Research on Formal Computer-Mediated Support Groups: Examining Group Characteristics and Health Outcomes Get access Stephen A. Rains, Rains 1Department Communication, University Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0025 1Corresponding author: Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Valerie Young Human Communication Research, Volume 35, Issue 3, 1 July 2009, Pages 309–336, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2009.01353.x Published: 01 2009

As medical information becomes increasingly available and individuals take a more active role in managing their personal health, it is essential for scholars to better understand the general public's information-seeking behavior. The study reported here explores use of World Wide Web seek health contemporary information-media environment. Drawing from uses gratifications theory comprehensive model seeking, perceptions traditional sources (e.g., mass media, one's care provider, etc.) are...

Journal Article An Evaluation of Two Characterizations the Relationships Between Problematic Internet Use, Time Spent Using Internet, and Psychosocial Problems Get access Robert S. Tokunaga, Tokunaga 1Department Communication, University Arizona, Tucson Arizona 85721, USA 1Corresponding author: Shota Tokunaga; Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Stephen A. Rains Human Communication Research, Volume 36, Issue 4, 1 October 2010, Pages 512–545,...

The study reported here explored the social dimension of health-related blogs by examining blogging as a means to marshal support and, result, achieve some health benefits associated with supportive communication. A total 121 individuals who author blog dedicated their experience living specific condition completed questionnaire. number posts made respondents and proportion reader comments were positively perceived from readers. relationship between two outcomes related well-being depended...

Contemporary information seekers can acquire health from an unprecedented variety of sources. The reported study applied and extended channel complementarity theory to explain the use multiple sources in health-information-seeking process. Channel was consider four characteristics (i.e., access medical expertise, tailorability, anonymity, convenience) health-information information-seeking behavior 3,392 respondents 2007–2008 Health Information National Trends Survey analyzed test...

The reported study examines the implications of anonymity and stigma in form illness-related embarrassment for self-disclosure context health blogging. Drawing from theorizing about anonymous communication stigma, is argued to be strategically used by individuals who are embarrassed their illness moderate relationship between self-disclosure. Data 114 blog experiences coping with a condition were examined test hypotheses. Illness-related was positively associated anonymity. Additionally,...

Although incivility is an increasing concern among scholars and the public, explanations for this phenomenon sometimes overlook role of computer-mediated communication. Drawing from social identity model deindividuation effects (SIDE), we consider as a form performance occurring in visually anonymous contexts that are typical online. Specifically, examine partisan political identities intergroup factors predictors newspaper discussion forum. Contrary to expectations, conservatives were less...

In an effort to better understand the state of knowledge production in field Communication, we examine results 149 meta-analyses exploring human communication phenomena. The summarize more than 60 years quantitative research involving 8 million participants. mean effect estimate is r = .21, and three-quarters reported less .29. Several trends findings from are examined. underscore notion that a complex highly contingent phenomenon highlight some specific instances which variables processes...

Online discussions are performed in the gaze of fellow users. To increase engagement, platforms typically let these users evaluate comments made by others through rating systems (e.g., via Likes or Down/Up votes). Understanding how such ratings shape, and shaped by, features underlying discussion is important for our understanding online behavior. In this study, we focus on an increasingly concerning aspect discussions: incivility. We draw theory normative social behavior to analyze a data...

As scholars and practitioners have endeavored to develop computer-based tools that foster effective communication collaboration in groups, anonymity has played a key role. Anonymity purportedly minimizes status differences, liberates team members from fear of retribution, makes feel more comfortable contributing discussions. Yet these benefits may be outweighed by the impact on receiver perceptions behavior. Two competing hypotheses, drawn adaptive structuration theory, were tested this...

The study reported here explored the broadband digital divide in context of Internet-based health communication. Inequities adoption technology were examined and comprehensive model information seeking (CMIS) was used to make predictions about implications Internet for personal health. Data from a population-based survey conducted by National Cancer Institute 2005 ( N = 5,586) analyzed. Results showed that those who younger, more educated, lived an urban area likely have connection their...

Although computer-mediated support groups have been argued to be beneficial for individuals coping with health-related stigma, few studies explored how communication processes may moderate perceptions of stigma and health outcomes. Increasing our understanding the relationships among these variables help inform social interventions facing stigmatized issues. Drawing from optimal matching model, reported study examined strong-tie/weak-tie network preference stress depression members groups....

The substantial growth in research examining social network sites (SNSs) during recent years makes this an opportune time to reflect on the state of SNS scholarship. In review, we consider what—in form specific brands—has been studied. A content-analysis published six interdisciplinary journals between 1997 and 2013 is first reported better understand degree which studies these have examined various brands (e.g. Facebook, MySpace, Cyworld, Hyves). results show that more than two-thirds were...

Uncertainty management theory (UMT; Brashers, 2001, 2007) is rooted in the assumption that, as opposed to being inherently negative, health-related uncertainty appraised for its meaning. Appraisals influence subsequent behaviors intended manage uncertainty, such information seeking. This study explores connections among appraisal, and information-seeking behavior proposed UMT. A laboratory was conducted which participants (N = 157) were primed feel desire more or less about skin cancer given...

This article draws on channel expansion theory to explore the selection and use of communication media by organizational members. Channel scholars posit that richness perceptions are dependent experiences with partners, message topic, utilized. study tests in context new traditional media. Respondents ( N = 269) completed questionnaires regarding their face-to-face, telephone, e-mail, or instant-messaging interactions. Results indicate experience channel, partner, social influence all...