An Interpersonal Communication Perspective on Images of Political Candidates

Husson, William; Harrison, Teresa M.; Stephen, Timothy; Fehr, B. J.

doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.1988.tb00162.x

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…There are very few communication studies of the debates that examine what in the nonverbal behavior is perceived by viewers and how it might contribute to their judgments, although Husson et al (1988) found that specific behavior ratings predicted preference for a candidate. Who is judging what under what conditions shapes perceptions so strongly that comparisons between different readings of the debates are very shaky at this time.…”

Section: The Anatomy Of Adjectivesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Presidential body politics: Movement analysis of debates and press conferences

Davis¹

1995

Semiotica

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The President reads an opening statement, then steps out from behind the lectern and says he would be glad to take questions. He is standing in full view with his hands hanging at his sides. Despite a gentle tone of voice and earnest manner, something appears very wrong.His hands begin to clench tightly, then hang at his sides only to jerk up repeatedly in a tic-like manner. Rare hand tosses drop heavily to his sides. His fist clenching becomes so strong, one can imagine the impressions made by his fingernails. The arms begin to push upward with palms open, then hands wring and clench tightly in front of him.By the seventh question, he clasps his hands behind his back. Gesticulations are still brief and rare, though he begins to turn his large frame and take in more of the gathering. The eighth question rouses him to an extended display of arm gestures, palms raised up in front, then pushed forward, followed by a series of loose tosses that alternate with tight squeezing of a fist held at his waist. Occasionally more complex gestures break out from the tight holds -huge, strong slicing motions that are stopped short as he drops his arms or grips his hands. The extensive vigorous actions contrast markedly with the listless, desultory motions. These outbursts also contrast with the low, personal tone he uses when he addresses a reporter by his first name or makes a droll remark that earns a chuckle from the press. But the greatest contrast is between the tortured motions that accompany his answers and the gracious way he lingers and shakes hands with members of the press in what may be the only receiving line that ever ended a Presidential Press Conference (Johnson 1968).Omitting the verbal content of this interaction draws attention to visible behaviors that are rarely explicitly described. Yet from this description of manner void of verbal content, one might guess the nature and import of the event: Lyndon Baines Johnson at the press conference following his withdrawal from consideration for a second term as President. A written transcript would reveal the momentuousness of the

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Section: The Anatomy Of Adjectivesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Presidential body politics: Movement analysis of debates and press conferences

Davis¹

1995

Semiotica

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“…In a similar vein, Husson, Stephen, Harrison, and Fehr (1988) adopted an interpersonal communication perspective in trying to understand individuals' perceptions of political candidates. They used an instrument developed to measure perceptions of interpersonal communication styles to assess perceptions of televised political candidates and examined the relationship of those perceptions to voting preferences.…”

Section: Contributions To Synthesis Scholarship: Human Communication mentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging the Mass-Interpersonal Divide Synthesis Scholarship in HCR

O'Sullivan

1999

Human Comm Res

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Despite tremendous progress in communication research and theory, the history ofthe communication field has been marked by theoreticalfragmentation, identity mkes, and disciplinary isolation. Human Communication Research (HCR) has provided a forum for research that strengthens the discipline's legacy of theory construction as well as discussions about theo ry development. An important contribution was a 2988 symposium, where leading scholars examined the 'yalse dichotomy" between mass and interpersonal communication research. Although the philosophical discussion has continued, innovation in communication technologies have challenged the traditional definitions of mass and interpersonal communication by blurring many of the practical distinctions. This articleassesses HCR's contribution to synthesis scholarship and compares it to similar @arts in other national journals. It also examines how new communication technologies are intenslfiing the need for scholars to construct theory that transcends outmoded levels of analysis. This important theoretical discussion is viewed as central to thefuture ofthefield during its next 25 years.espite tremendous progress in communication research and theory in recent decades, the history of the communication field

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“…Whereas research on the effects of children's television viewing increased somewhat in the 1980s, research on the role of media in politics remained steady (Husson, Stephen, Harrison, & Fehr, 1988;Joslyn, 1981;Pfau & Burgoon, 1988). Several theoretical and methodological perspectives were also showcased (Chaffee & Schleuder, 1986;Hawkins, Pingree, & Adler, 1987;Heeter, 1985;Sparks & Spirek, 1988).…”

Section: Media Effects Research In the 1980smentioning

confidence: 99%

Surveying the Effect of Media Effects A Meta-Analytic Summary of the Media Effects Research in Human Communication Research

Emmers‐Sommer

Allen

1999

Human Comm Res

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This is a unique investigation that is particular to the needs of this special issue of Human Communication Research (HCR). Specifically, this study analyzes the media effects research that has been published in HCR during the past 25 years via meta-analysis. Numerous significantfindings point to various themes and trends regarding media research in HCR.First, age is related to processing ability, understanding, and attending to media such that as children age, they better understand media messages. Second, the mass mediaarea sign@ant source of learning. Third, the media can influence attitudes, which in turn, may influence or shape behaviors. Political, social, and educational implications of thefindings are discussed. In addition, directions forfuture research, including the use ofrneta-analysis as a m e f~d o l o g~~l tool, are discussed, as is the social responsibility of scholars in exploring the positive effects of media as opposed to ones with potentially antisocial outcomes. s we approach the millennium and retrospectively view the state of media technologies and the vast array of research on A media and media effects, we realize the tremendous contribution that Human Communication Research (HCR) has made to our understanding of the past and present and to our preparation for the future. In offering communication scholars the forum to report current research, critique research of the past, and introduce new, fresh perspectives for the future, HCR has undoubtedly played a pioneering role in the academic community's understanding of human communication. Tara M . Emmers-Sommer (Ph.D., Ohio University, 1995) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma. Mike Allen (Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1987) is a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The authors thank John Tedesco for his insight on historical trends and editors Bob McPhee and Ed Fink for their helpful comments on an earlier version of this article.

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An Interpersonal Communication Perspective on Images of Political Candidates

Cited by 12 publications

References 15 publications

Presidential body politics: Movement analysis of debates and press conferences

Presidential body politics: Movement analysis of debates and press conferences

Bridging the Mass-Interpersonal Divide Synthesis Scholarship in HCR

Surveying the Effect of Media Effects A Meta-Analytic Summary of the Media Effects Research in Human Communication Research

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