Social Cognition and Communication

by Michael E. Roloff, Charles R. Berger

Communication researchers focus on a key area of study, one that affects all areas of communication, and indeed unites the field. Social cognition is the thought process that understands human and social interaction, and which produces messages, speech and social behaviour. Original contributions review or propose approaches to its study, and research its role in relationships, speech patterns, legal communication, and mass communication. ′...the essays in this volume convincingly demonstrate the utility of social cognitive processes for understanding various aspects of communication...These chapters draw interesting and insightful conclusions about their subjects. The editors and authors are to be commended.′ -- Journal of

326 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1982

About the author

Michael Elwood Roloff (Ph.D, Michigan State University) is professor of Communication Studies at Northwestern University. His research and teaching interests are in the general area of interpersonal influence. He has published articles and offers courses focused on persuasion, interpersonal compliance-gaining, conflict management, organizational change and bargaining and negotiation. His current research is focused on conflict avoidance and serial arguing in intimate relationships, the interpretation and construction of persuasive messages, and the effects of planning and alternatives on negotiation processes. He has co-edited four research volumes: (1) Persuasion: New Directions in Theory and Research, (2) Social Cognition and Communication, (3) Interpersonal Processes, and (4) Communication and Negotiation. He wrote Interpersonal Communication: The Social Exchange Approach. He completed a term as the editor of Communication Yearbook and is currently co-editor of Communication Research. He was co-recipient of the Woolbert Award for Outstanding Contribution to Communication Research from the Speech Communication Association and of a publication award from the Social Cognition and Communication Division of the National Communication Association. He has been the Chair of the Interpersonal Communication Division of the National Communication Association. He is currently Director of the National Communication Association Publications Board. Professor Roloff has received several teaching awards from groups at Northwestern including the Associated Student Government, the Mortar Board, and the Alumni Association.