Interpersonal Message Design

Beginning with foundational chapters concerning the role of goals in interaction, this text provides readers with a detailed summary of the seminal theories in interpersonal message design, as well as in–depth analysis towards their practicality in our current understanding of communication. Authors focus on understanding the importance of these theories in the discipline today, as well as the potential evolution of these theories for future theoretical and practical application.

Within this book, message design is presented via treatises spanning from individual differences to the contextual factors impacting the message production process. Contributors representing both original theorists as well as other renowned scholars in interpersonal communication and message design provide unique and powerful insights into one of the disciplines most important areas—message design. This book will serve as an excellent resource for graduate coursework examining message design, theory, and theory construction. It will also be of essential interest to scholars researching any interpersonal message design phenomena.

Bryan B. Whaley (Ph.D., Purdue University) is Professor of Communication at University of San Francisco. His research concerns linguistic variables and message design related to interpersonal messages in health contexts, illness explanation and health-related information. He has published in such research outlets as Human Communication Research, Communication & Cognition, Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, Journal of Language and Social Psychology, Health Communication, Political Communication, Personal Relationships, Argumentation, and Journal of Diabetes Nursing. His edited books include: Explaining Illness: Research, Theory, and Strategies; Explaining Communication: Contemporary Theories and Exemplars (with Wendy Samter); and Research Methods in Health Communication.