Research and Insights

May 26-30, 2022
Paris

May 27

User Perceptions and Trust of Explainable Machine Learning Fake News Detectors
Jieun Shin, Sylvia Chan-Olmsted

Representation and Trust in Audio Recommendation Systems
Jasmine McNealy

Failure, Fit, and Femvertisements: The Role of Hypocrisy and Brand Cause-Fit on Attitudes Toward Brand Activist and Brand Optimist Femvertisements
Sophia Mueller, Kasey Windels

Moral Balancing During and After Video Game Moral Events: Examining the Moderating Role of Issue Congruency
Yu-Hao Lee, Mo Chen

Drivers of Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Media
Renee Mitson

Celebrating Wins, Lamenting Losses: Examining BIRGing, CORFing, Information Utility, and Identity Maintenance in the Aftermath of the 2020 Presidential Election
Eliana DuBosar, Jay Hmielowski, Myiah Hutchens

Are You Anxious or Enthusiastic About COVID-19 Vaccines? Understanding Publics’ Emotional Reactions to Misinformation and Corrective Messages Through Machine Learning
Jieun Shin

Communication Repertoires During the 2020 US Presidential Election and the “Big Lie”
Myiah Hutchens, Jay Hmielowski

Mapping the Landscape of Human-Machine Communication Research: A Systematic Review of Empirical Research From 2010 to 2021
Fanjue Liu, Heidi Makady, Kun Xu

The Influence of State Self-Esteem on Narrative Engagement
Benjamin Johnson, Rachel Son

What Difference Does Observation Make? A Systematic Review of CIM Communication Using Observational Data in Biomedical Settings
Taylor Vasquez, Easton Wollney, Carma Bylund

COVID Information Seeking Behavior and Perception among U.S. Ethnic/Racial Minorities: Cultural vs Demographic Differences and Vaccination Implications
Hyehyun Kim, Sylvia Chan-Olmsted, Huan Chen

Abstract: Despite the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on America’s ethnic minority groups, studies show that Black/African Americans and Hispanics are less willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine than White counterparts (Kricorian & Turner, 2021). As such, this study explores information behavior and perception and vaccination in COVID-19 context. Information behavior and perception are investigated from cultural and demographic characteristics, while vaccination is explored from COVID-19 related information behavior and utility/value of COVID vaccine information.

Panel

Public Interest Communications: Reimagining Activists-Communication Scholars-Educators to Address Social Justice Globally
Angela Bradbery

Abstract: there is a path ahead for journalism beyond objectivity standards, as the way most journalists have been going about their work for decades is getting more and more under pressure all over the world. Confronted with attacks from the far right, increasingly precarious – and often dangerous – working conditions and the rise of social media platforms, many journalists are leaving large media outlets and building their own collectives and enterprises, choosing to do journalism on their own terms, often in close partnerships with social movements.

Poster Sessions

Understanding Benefits and Challenges in Telemedicine Use Among Patients With Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Chelsea Hampton, Taylor Vasquez, Eve Heffron, Gemme Campbell-Salome, Samantha Paige, Jordan Alpert, Carma Bylund

A Multiple Goals Approach to Understanding Triadic Communication Dynamics in Dementia Clinical Care
Easton Wollney, Carla Fisher, Carma Bylund, Samantha Paige, Jordan Alpert

Plagiarism and the Murky Influence of Intent
Norm Lewis

An Exploration of Hollywood Movie Trailers Editing Pattern Evolution Over Time: A Statistical Stylistic Analysis
Kun Xu

May 28

The Role of Accessible Government Data in Combating Environmental Racism
Frank LoMonte

Extended Abstract: Your Friendly Neighborhood Social Networks: Location-Based Online Social Networks and Disparity in Disaster Resilience
Chris Chu

Perceived Humanness, Explicated
Tom Kelleher, Tracey Kyles

Abstract: This paper proposes the application of Human-machine Communication concepts to Computer-mediated Communication studies using humanness as a variable.

Moral Foundations, Ideological Divide, and Public Engagement With U.S. Government Agencies’ COVID-19 Vaccine Communication on Social Media
Jieun Shin

No Pain, Hurry-Gain: Visual Messaging of Hurricane Trajectories for Perceptional and Behavioral Preparation
Minji Kim

Waging War With the COVID-19 Infodemic: Fighting Back Through Audience-Focused Health Communication Campaigns
Eric Cooks, Melissa Vilaro, Gemme Campbell-Salome, Aantaki Raisa, Janice Krieger

Morality on the Ballot: Merging Agenda-Building With Moral Foundations Theory in The 2020 American Presidential Election
Brittany Shaughnessy, Osama Albishri, Phillip Arceneaux, Nader Dagher, Spiro Kiousis

Abstract: While emotions and morality are prevalent through every U.S. election, scholars have not yet merged agenda-building and moral foundations theory (MFT). In keeping with traditional agenda-building research, we test first- and third-level agenda-building through issue and stakeholder salience transfer and their networked salience transfer. Second-level agenda building is revised in utilizing MFT’s moral intuitions as affective attributes. A computational content analysis (N = 931,918) revealed that the 2020 presidential candidates influenced each other’s issue and moral agendas, the media agenda, and some public discourse surrounding the election. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed along with areas for future research.

Managing Surveillance in the Context of App-Based Gig Workers During Covid-19
Renee Mitson

Award: Organizational Communication Top Student Paper Award

A Systematic Review of Patient and Caregiver Self-Report Measures of Satisfaction With Clinicians’ Communication
Easton Wollney, Taylor Vasquez, Carma Bylund, Carla Fisher, Samantha Paige, Jordan Alpert

One Too Many?: Compassion Fade Effects of Non-Human Casualties in Virtual Reality
Daniel Pimentel, Sri Kalyanaraman

Populist Hyper-Partisans?: The Interaction Between Partisan Media Exposure and Populism In the 2020 US Presidential Election
Myiah Hutchens, Brittany Shaughnessy, Eliana DuBosar

Abstract: Creating a more nuanced understanding of how our media environment shapes our beliefs is a perennial task for communication scholars. Aspects of our political world that moved to the forefront in recent years include the impact of declining media trust and a surge of populist politicians around the globe. Highlighting both of these aspects, this manuscript utilizes representative data from the American National Election Studies (ANES) collected during the 2020 US Presidential Election. We examine the impact of hyperpartisan conservative media in addition to mainstream conservative and liberal media on media trust while examining the moderating role of populist beliefs. Our analyses demonstrate that hyper-conservative media and populist beliefs have negative direct relationships with media trust whereas liberal media is positively related and mainstream conservative media is unrelated to media trust when controlling for other media types and populist beliefs.

Understanding the Communicative Needs of Immigrant Patients in Virtual Healthcare: A Communication Accommodation Theory Approach
Aantaki Raisa, Xiaobei Chen, Janice Krieger

Abstract: The aim of the study is to investigate the accommodative needs of immigrant patients to communicate with healthcare providers in virtual environments, using the Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) as a framework. The study thematically analyzed 30 in-depth interviews with first-generation Bangladeshi immigrants in the United States to identify their communication accommodation needs when interacting with a virtual health assistant (VHA). The major finding of the study is that CAT itself needs to be expanded to accommodate communication in virtual settings. Moreover, contrary to the conventional belief that immigrants always prefer healthcare in their native language, we found that patients’ preference of language varies. Future studies need to be conducted to identify what factors determine immigrant patients’ preferences for language, and the demographic characteristics of their clinicians.

The Pandemic and Social Mobilization: Agenda-Building in the Networked Public Sphere
Spiro Kiousis

Does Anxiety Make Us “Informed” Citizens? The Mediating Effect of Information-Seeking and Internal Political Efficacy on Forming Political Attitudes
Ekaterina Romanova, Myiah Hutchens

Abstract: Emotions are inseparable from political decision-making. This idea has been especially strongly supported for negative emotions. However, not all negative emotions result in negative outcomes for a democracy. The secret ingredient that connects emotions to positive political outcomes is increased information-seeking tendencies. The current study analyzes the role of anxiety in forming political attitudes and influencing political decisions.

Panel

Representations of Black Women and Heart Disease: A Visual Critical Discourse Analysis of the “Release the Pressure” Campaign
Hayley Markovich, Rachel Grant, Raegan Burden

Poster Session

Nigerian Feminists and The Practice of African Feminism on Facebook: What Issues Are the Most Troubling Issues?
Diane Ezeh Aruahf, Mercy Madu, Ernest Makata

IMC Diamond in the Rough: What Happens when A Brand Communicates With Purpose?
Sophia Mueller, Marcia DiStaso

Abstract: Through a 2 (high vs low brand-cause fit) x 2 (activist vs. optimist message) between subjects experiment, the authors test the relationship between perceived brand hypocrisy, brand cause-fit, and the advertised message. Findings indicate that for hypocritical brands, high brand-cause fit messages result in more positive attitudes toward the ad and brand. Further interaction effects show that high-fit commercials with activist and low-fit commercials with optimist messages result in more positive responses toward the advertisements.

At the Extremes: Assessing Readability, Grade Level, Sentiment, and Tone in US Media Outlets
Jessica Sparks, Jay Hmielowski

May 29

Deep Mind in Social Responses to Technologies: A New Approach to Explaining the CASA Phenomena
Kun Xu, Xiaobei Chen

Computer Science and Communication Students’ Perception on Integration of AI in Learning: A Case Study of OCEL.AI
Huan Chen, Yu-Hao Lee

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely adopted in higher education. However, the current research on AI in higher education is limited lacking both breadth and depth. The present study fills the research gap by exploring students’ perception on learning AI related courses facilitated by an open experiential AI platform. Specifically, 14 in-depth interviews are conducted among computer science and communication students to gauge their perception. Findings reveal eight interconnected themes which are regulation, balance, relevance, confidence, comfortability, tangibility, application, and preparation. The study has both theoretical and practical implications.

Politicization of Masks: Communication of Party Norms Among Political Elites on Social Media
Jieun Shin

Extended Abstract: Providing “Civic On-Ramps” for Students to Engage With Local News
Frank LoMonte, Kim Walsh-Childers

Exploring the Impact of Strategic CEO Communication on Employee Trust during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Introducing the TAEO Framework
Rita Men, Eve Heffron, Alexis Fitzsimmons, Yufan Qin, Marcia DiStaso

Predicting User Self-disclosure to a Chatbot: The Roles of Social Cues and Contexts
Kun Xu

YouTube vs. Instagram: How Platform Affordances Support Influencer Commerce
Rang Wang, Sylvia Chan-Olmsted

Panel

Selling Breonna: Twitter Responses to Breonna Taylor on the Covers of O, The Oprah Magazine and Vanity Fair
Rachel Grant

Contemporary Solutions in Higher Ed for JMC Faculty and Staff
Roxane Coche

Poster Session

Work In Progress – Regional Media in Middle East Conflict: A Comparative Analysis of Media Coverage of Suleimani Assassination on Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya
Hadeel Alhaddadeh, Roxane Coche, Nader Dagher, Spiro Kiousis

May 30

Man and Machine: Do Facebook Users Believe False Information Warnings More When They’re Attributed to Algorithms than Fact-Checkers?
Jessica Sparks

Marginalized Voices of Women Coping With PCOS: Understanding Their Support Needs as Expressed Via Reddit
Naomi Parker, Carla Fisher

“I Am the Daughter of the Village Chief”: Family Influences on Childhood Resilience in Animated Disney Movies
Chelsea Moss

Abstract: Animated Disney movies represent an influential context in which children observationally learn patterns of resilience. The proposed research seeks to understand both the ways that child characters express resilience and the family’s role in prompting resilience or supporting its development in Disney movies via a content analysis of N = 70 animated Disney movies from 1937 – 2021. Buzzanell’s (2010) communication theory of resilience provides a framework for analyzing characters’ expressions of resilience in these films.

Validation of the Transactional eHealth Literacy Instrument With Cancer Caregivers
Taylor Vasquez, Carma Bylund, Carla Fisher, Samantha Paige

Social Comparison and Envy on Social Media: A Critical Review
Benjamin Johnson

Do You Trust Your Smart Speaker? The Effects of Individual Differences, Motives, and Value Creation
Kun Xu, Sylvia Chan-Olmsted, Rachel Son, Hyesoo Chang, Tracy Kyles, Loren Ruffin

Abstract: This work examines participants’ ages, motives for entertainment seeking, and value creation, and effects on attitudes toward smart speakers.

Information Architects: Using Community-Based Participatory Research Methods to Develop a Technology-Based Nutrition and Cancer Risk Intervention for Rural Adults
Melissa Vilaro, Eric Cooks, Taylor Ashley, Janice Krieger

My Health Advisor is a Robot: Understanding People’s Intentions to Adopt a Robotic health Advisor
Kun Xu

Modern Dad, Modern Ad: Testing Cross-Cultural Effects of Fatherhood Depictions on Brand Attitudes and Identification
Sophia Mueller, Benjamin Johnson

Abstract: U.S. and Finnish consumers differ culturally, which impacts their understanding of gender roles and masculinity portrayed through advertisements, particularly dadvertisements. Findings of our experiment indicate that progressive fatherhood portrayals increase credibility and wishful identification with the men in the advertisements, and in turn attitudes and behaviors. There were little to no moderating effects of country and gender, despite a stronger belief in traditional fatherhood beliefs among the American participants.

Co-Viewer Discretion Advised: Examining Emerging Adult Willingness to Co-View Sensitive Entertainment Content With Parents
Chelsea Moss, Frank Waddell, Yu-Hao Lee

Abstract: When considering what might encourage or discourage emerging adults from co-viewing with parents, family communication patterns (FCP) could play an influential role. A survey (N = 240) assessed the relationship between FCP and emerging adults’ willingness to co-view sensitive entertainment content, finding that conversation orientation significantly predicted co-viewing willingness. Perceived parental religiosity, but not perceived parental political ideology, moderated the impact of conversation orientation in the case of emerging adults’ willingness to co-view politically-opposing content, but in the opposite direction than hypothesized. In addition to these findings, the study presents the development of a set of co-viewing willingness indices to assess willingness to co-view four different types of sensitive (i.e., objectionable) content.

May 31

Did Their Words Matter? A Study of 40 Years of the U.S.-Iran Relationship & Rhetoric in the Context of U.S. Elections
Osama Albishri