Biological sex impacts people's perceptions of others, including ... more Biological sex impacts people's perceptions of others, including their perceptions of how credible another person is. The purpose of this study was to determine if male or female television newscasters would be rated differently in their credibility when delivering the same message. After the researchers controlled for the physical attractiveness of the newscasters, a male and female newscaster were selected
More than 60% of college students admit to trying smoking (Rigotti, Lee, &amp... more More than 60% of college students admit to trying smoking (Rigotti, Lee, & Wechsler, 2000). To reduce this number, researchers have attempted to determine factors influencing smoking behaviors. However, studies about communicative acts related to smoking intentions and behaviors, which may be factors, are lacking. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study hypothesized that attitudes, subjective norms, and
International Journal of Sport Communication, Jun 1, 2015
Coaches are recognized as important sources of athlete experiences (e.g., learning, sport satisfa... more Coaches are recognized as important sources of athlete experiences (e.g., learning, sport satisfaction, relationships with teammates), but little attention has been devoted to how coaches foster positive self-perceptions. The current exploratory study proposes that coaches are likely sources of confirmation (i.e., feeling of recognition, endorsement, and acknowledgment). This assumption was substantiated via 12 interviews with Division I volleyball players during the 2013 season as 6 confirming acts and messages used by coaches were identified (i.e., individualized communication, personal relationships, encouragement, demands for improvement, recognition, and demonstration of investment). In addition, 4 phenomena that influence confirmation were identified (i.e., adversity, knowledge of other coaches, athletes’ roles on the team, and timing). These results extend confirmation to the sport context, provide sport communication scholars with a novel framework to understand athlete–coach communication, and illustrate that various phenomena (including starting status) can influence confirming communication between athletes and coaches.
This study assessed whether two medical orientations of physicians—biomedical vs biopsychosocial—... more This study assessed whether two medical orientations of physicians—biomedical vs biopsychosocial—influenced individuals’ perceptions of physician credibility. Participants read a vignette describing a physician communicating either a predominantly biomedical or a predominantly biopsychosocial orientation and then completed the Measure of Source Credibility in reference to the physician. Results indicate that physicians who display a biopsychosocial orientation were rated higher in perceived
Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, 2012
ABSTRACT Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United Sta... more ABSTRACT Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Males have been identified as playing a major role in the transmission and acquisition of human papillomavirus, thus placing themselves and their partners at greater risk for certain types of cancer. Through this study the authors sought to develop a better understanding of college males' perceptions regarding human papillomavirus and the human papillomavirus vaccine. Results provide an initial understanding of college males' perceptions of human papillomavirus and the vaccine as a means of establishing a baseline for determining appropriate health communication messages.
The lack of appropriate measurement to assess athlete-coach interaction and athletes’ psychologic... more The lack of appropriate measurement to assess athlete-coach interaction and athletes’ psychological states has historically plagued sport studies research (i.e., an encompassing term for sport psychology, management, sociology, and communication) and may partially explain the lack of empirical research regarding athlete-coach interaction within the emerging field of sport communication. Without valid and reliable tools to assess athlete-coach interactions, understanding the antecedents and outcomes of these relationships, which is a central aim of sport communication research, cannot be accomplished. This article develops and demonstrates validity for a measure of the coach confirmation instrument (CCI) via two studies. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis produced a 15-item, two-factor measure (challenge and acceptance). In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this two-factor structure had an acceptable-to-good fit using a variety of fit indices. Additionally, preliminary degrees of validity for the CCI were demonstrated through Pearson correlations with athletes’ feeling of being confirmed, coach satisfaction, and perceptions of coach verbal aggression. Collectively, these studies indicate the CCI is a structurally stable measure, which demonstrates good reliability and initial degrees of face, concurrent, convergent, discriminant, and content validity.
Confirmation theory is a theoretical framework that forwards that the communication of acceptance... more Confirmation theory is a theoretical framework that forwards that the communication of acceptance and challenge to recipients promotes prosocial environments that foster positive affect, attitudes, and behaviors. This study utilized confirmation theory to better understand the influence of coaches’ use of confirmation on athletes’ satisfaction and motivation to play their sport. Data collected from 132 former high school athletes indicated that the challenge dimension of coach confirmation uniquely and strongly predicts athletes’ satisfaction with their sport experiences, satisfaction with their communication with head coaches, and their motivation to play. These findings emphasize sport as a unique context of confirmation in which athletes prioritize their development and constructive criticism and demonstrate that confirmation is an effective coaching behavior that should be integrated into coaches’ everyday practices.
Biological sex impacts people's perceptions of others, including ... more Biological sex impacts people's perceptions of others, including their perceptions of how credible another person is. The purpose of this study was to determine if male or female television newscasters would be rated differently in their credibility when delivering the same message. After the researchers controlled for the physical attractiveness of the newscasters, a male and female newscaster were selected
More than 60% of college students admit to trying smoking (Rigotti, Lee, &amp... more More than 60% of college students admit to trying smoking (Rigotti, Lee, & Wechsler, 2000). To reduce this number, researchers have attempted to determine factors influencing smoking behaviors. However, studies about communicative acts related to smoking intentions and behaviors, which may be factors, are lacking. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study hypothesized that attitudes, subjective norms, and
International Journal of Sport Communication, Jun 1, 2015
Coaches are recognized as important sources of athlete experiences (e.g., learning, sport satisfa... more Coaches are recognized as important sources of athlete experiences (e.g., learning, sport satisfaction, relationships with teammates), but little attention has been devoted to how coaches foster positive self-perceptions. The current exploratory study proposes that coaches are likely sources of confirmation (i.e., feeling of recognition, endorsement, and acknowledgment). This assumption was substantiated via 12 interviews with Division I volleyball players during the 2013 season as 6 confirming acts and messages used by coaches were identified (i.e., individualized communication, personal relationships, encouragement, demands for improvement, recognition, and demonstration of investment). In addition, 4 phenomena that influence confirmation were identified (i.e., adversity, knowledge of other coaches, athletes’ roles on the team, and timing). These results extend confirmation to the sport context, provide sport communication scholars with a novel framework to understand athlete–coach communication, and illustrate that various phenomena (including starting status) can influence confirming communication between athletes and coaches.
This study assessed whether two medical orientations of physicians—biomedical vs biopsychosocial—... more This study assessed whether two medical orientations of physicians—biomedical vs biopsychosocial—influenced individuals’ perceptions of physician credibility. Participants read a vignette describing a physician communicating either a predominantly biomedical or a predominantly biopsychosocial orientation and then completed the Measure of Source Credibility in reference to the physician. Results indicate that physicians who display a biopsychosocial orientation were rated higher in perceived
Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, 2012
ABSTRACT Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United Sta... more ABSTRACT Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Males have been identified as playing a major role in the transmission and acquisition of human papillomavirus, thus placing themselves and their partners at greater risk for certain types of cancer. Through this study the authors sought to develop a better understanding of college males' perceptions regarding human papillomavirus and the human papillomavirus vaccine. Results provide an initial understanding of college males' perceptions of human papillomavirus and the vaccine as a means of establishing a baseline for determining appropriate health communication messages.
The lack of appropriate measurement to assess athlete-coach interaction and athletes’ psychologic... more The lack of appropriate measurement to assess athlete-coach interaction and athletes’ psychological states has historically plagued sport studies research (i.e., an encompassing term for sport psychology, management, sociology, and communication) and may partially explain the lack of empirical research regarding athlete-coach interaction within the emerging field of sport communication. Without valid and reliable tools to assess athlete-coach interactions, understanding the antecedents and outcomes of these relationships, which is a central aim of sport communication research, cannot be accomplished. This article develops and demonstrates validity for a measure of the coach confirmation instrument (CCI) via two studies. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis produced a 15-item, two-factor measure (challenge and acceptance). In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this two-factor structure had an acceptable-to-good fit using a variety of fit indices. Additionally, preliminary degrees of validity for the CCI were demonstrated through Pearson correlations with athletes’ feeling of being confirmed, coach satisfaction, and perceptions of coach verbal aggression. Collectively, these studies indicate the CCI is a structurally stable measure, which demonstrates good reliability and initial degrees of face, concurrent, convergent, discriminant, and content validity.
Confirmation theory is a theoretical framework that forwards that the communication of acceptance... more Confirmation theory is a theoretical framework that forwards that the communication of acceptance and challenge to recipients promotes prosocial environments that foster positive affect, attitudes, and behaviors. This study utilized confirmation theory to better understand the influence of coaches’ use of confirmation on athletes’ satisfaction and motivation to play their sport. Data collected from 132 former high school athletes indicated that the challenge dimension of coach confirmation uniquely and strongly predicts athletes’ satisfaction with their sport experiences, satisfaction with their communication with head coaches, and their motivation to play. These findings emphasize sport as a unique context of confirmation in which athletes prioritize their development and constructive criticism and demonstrate that confirmation is an effective coaching behavior that should be integrated into coaches’ everyday practices.
Previous studies have suggested that media reify frames that subtly enforce sex differences in a ... more Previous studies have suggested that media reify frames that subtly enforce sex differences in a manner that detracts from women athletes' athleticism. This phenomenon is referred to as ambivalence. To analyze ambivalence, this study introduces a theoretically and empirically supported coding scheme that was used to conduct a quantitative frame analysis of 157 images featured in ESPN's The Body Issue. These images were coded for frames that de-emphasize athleti-cism, sexualize athletes, or deny a sporting context. Results suggest that athlete sex is associated with de-emphasized athleticism and sexualized frames, and sport gender is associated with context frames. Results also support longitudinal trends in The Body Issue series, which suggest that the series has become more sexualized and removed from a sports context but has decreased the use of frames that de-emphasize athleticism. In general, The Body Issue continues to reinforce established media trends that trivialize female athletes, despite claiming to do the opposite.
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Papers by Maria Brann