Interpersonal Communication Research by Allen Mike

Author:Allen, Mike
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published: 2011-09-28T16:00:00+00:00

13: A Synthesis and Extension of Constructivist Comforting Research

Mike Allen

From the late 1970s constructivist theory proposed analyzing messages and relationships based on the cognitive trait of cognitive complexity as a predictor of various message features and outcomes (Littlejohn, 1989). This chapter provides a synthesis of some the available research and the test of a causal model consistent with the predictions of this theory. The goal of this chapter is to take the existing data consistent with the theory and combine the data to conduct a test of the underlying tenets.

There is much debate about the measurement of cognitive complexity using the Role Category Questionnaire (RCQ; Allen, Mabry, Banski, & Preiss, 1991; Allen, Mabry, Banski, Carter, & Stoneman, 1990; Beatty, 1987; Beatty & Payne, 1984, 1985; Burleson, Applegate, & Neuwirth, 1981; Burleson, Waltman, & Samter, 1987; Kellermann, Burrell, & Allen, 1987; Powers, Jordan, & Street, 1979). Even among constructivists there is disagreement about how to measure cognitive complexity (Fransella & Bannister, 1977,1979; D.O'Keefe & Sypher, 1981), and how to interpret cognitive complexity within a theory of communication (Applegate, Burke, Burleson, Delia, & Kline, 1985; B.O'Keefe & Delia, 1982). The measurement issues remain at this date unresolved and the implications of using the RCQ remain unclear.

This chapter does not resolve or provide any direct evidence on the measurement issues. The basic value of constructivist theory, despite the nagging issues of measurement, is the ability of the research to demonstrate consistent relations to the quality of message production. This chapter synthesizes and tests existing literature using one set of theoretical presuppositions and data about the quality of comforting messages individuals offer each other. The purpose is twofold: (a) to establish that results are consistent across a number of experiments, and (b) to provide a theoretical test of one model advanced based on those results. The test encourages the development of alternative models and explanations for the original data, even though it garners evidence supporting one possible explanation. The resolution of disputes between competing explanations requires more sophisticated evidence and further testing.

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