Implicit theories of communicative competence: Situational and competence level differences in judgments of prototype and target

Systematic distortion of memory‐based data of communication behavior

“…When communication researchers attempt to establish the validity of measurement techniques that are retrospective in nature, they need to consider the length of time between report and initial behavior. This study demonstrated that respondents are fairly accurate at recalling the eight behaviors identified by Pavitt and Haight (1986) as part of the prototypical communicator's repertoire.…”

“…These eight behaviors were used because the researchers found that they were rated significantly differently among individuals with high, average, and low competence (Pavitt & Haight, 1986). Subjects were asked to respond to 28 items that related each item to each other item.…”

“…Pre-existing beliefs, were determined by having subjects rate the similarity of the eight behaviors determined by Pavitt and Haight (1986)listens well, argues to prove s/he is right, uses his/her voice expressively, lets others know s/he understands them, appears relaxed and comfortable while speaking, speaks frequently, tells jokes and stories, and actively uses facial expressions-to be part of a prototypical communicator's repertoire. These eight behaviors were used because the researchers found that they were rated significantly differently among individuals with high, average, and low competence (Pavitt & Haight, 1986).…”

“…After giving these instructions the experimenter left the room. After ten minutes, the experimenter returned and instructed them to rate their conversation partner on Pavitt and Haight's (1986) prototypical communication behavior scale. This provided the concurrent report.…”

“…The present study examines the distortion of memory-based communication data over time. Specifically, data about behaviors related to communication competence will be examined (Pavitt & Haight, 1986). Communication competence is often analyzed with memory-based data (Spitzberg & Cupach, 1984;Pavitt & Haight, 1985;McCroskey, 1986;Canary & Spitzberg, 1989;Chen, 1989;Pavitt, 1990).…”