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This study explores whether in the absence of face-to-face interaction individuals rely on mediated ''clues'' for constructing their perceptions of other individuals. Specifically, we assess whether individuals use the information in email usernames to create basic assumptions about the sender of a message. Ninety-four male and 206 female participants completed self-report surveys asking their perceptions of an instructor-assigned, fictional group member including sex, age, race, and work productivity. A majority of participants assigned biological sex, ethnicity, and age to the fictional member. Participants often identified the creative emails as belonging to Caucasian males, while plain usernames were unknown and perceived as significantly more productive. The majority of participants chose to delete the message, listing lack of recognition as a reason for avoidance. These results suggest that email usernames may shape perceptions when other, nonverbal cues are absent.

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The period known as emerging adulthood is characterized by transition, particularly related to relationships and intimacy. Previous research has suggested that parental influence, particularly related to identity development and beliefs, is an ongoing process that continues throughout the emergence of adulthood. One way parents may shape this process is through memorable messages. This study examined the messages mothers communicated to children regarding sexuality and relationships using Knapp, Reardon, and Stohl's conceptualization of memorable messages. Eighty-four percent of mothers could recall memorable messages. Similar to previous research regarding sexual double standards, the majority of messages reflected traditional gender ideologies, such as women remaining abstinent and men ''playing the field.'' Nontraditional maternal messages were infrequent and most often intended for sons.

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