Effects of Cognitive Complexity and Emotional Upset on Processing Supportive Messages: Two Tests of a Dual-Process Theory of Supportive Communication Outcomes
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| Title: | Effects of Cognitive Complexity and Emotional Upset on Processing Supportive Messages: Two Tests of a Dual-Process Theory of Supportive Communication Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Bodie, Graham D., Burleson, Brant R., Holmstrom, Amanda J. |
| Source: | Human Communication Research. Jul 2011 37(3):350-376. |
| Availability: | Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Physical Description: | |
| Page Count: | 27 |
| Publication Date: | 2011 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Evaluative |
| Descriptors: | Hypothesis Testing, Interpersonal Communication, Communication (Thought Transfer), Content Analysis, Helping Relationship, Evaluation, Prosocial Behavior, Cognitive Processes, Psychological Patterns, Attitudes, Motivation, Receptive Language, Context Effect, Difficulty Level |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1468-2958.2011.01405.x |
| ISSN: | 0360-3989 |
| Abstract: | We report tests of hypotheses derived from a theory of supportive communication outcomes that maintains the effects of supportive messages are moderated by factors influencing the motivation and ability to process these messages. Participants in two studies completed a measure of cognitive complexity, which provided an assessment of processing ability, and reported their degree of upset with a problem situation, which was hypothesized to impact both motivation and ability; they subsequently evaluated the helpfulness of comforting messages that varied in person centeredness. Consistent with predictions, an index of message processing depth--the degree to which participants discriminated between the helpfulness of better and worse supportive messages--was associated with the factors additively in both studies and interactively in one study. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 80 |
| Entry Date: | 2011 |
| Accession Number: | EJ928300 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | We report tests of hypotheses derived from a theory of supportive communication outcomes that maintains the effects of supportive messages are moderated by factors influencing the motivation and ability to process these messages. Participants in two studies completed a measure of cognitive complexity, which provided an assessment of processing ability, and reported their degree of upset with a problem situation, which was hypothesized to impact both motivation and ability; they subsequently evaluated the helpfulness of comforting messages that varied in person centeredness. Consistent with predictions, an index of message processing depth--the degree to which participants discriminated between the helpfulness of better and worse supportive messages--was associated with the factors additively in both studies and interactively in one study. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0360-3989 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1468-2958.2011.01405.x |
