Discussions of religion and relational messages: differences between comfortable and uncomfortable interactions
-
Mikkelson, Alan C. [1] ; Hesse, Colin [2]
-
[1] Whitworth University
Whitworth University
Estados Unidos
-
[2] Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Estados Unidos
-
- Localización: Southern communication journal, ISSN 1041-794X, Vol. 74, nº 1, 2009, págs. 40-56
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
-
Resumen
Although many Americans consider religion important in their everyday lives, most feel uncomfortable when confronted with issues concerning religion and faith. The present study focused on the relational messages and contextual factors related to comfort levels in religious conversations. Using Burgoon and Hale's (1984, 1987) relational topoi, it was hypothesized that messages of intimacy and composure would relate positively to comfort levels in religious conversations, whereas messages of dominance and formality would relate negatively to comfort levels. These hypotheses received support. Furthermore, contextual factors such as perceived religious similarity and relational closeness were both positively associated with comfort levels. A discriminant analysis of these variables revealed that relational messages, specifically affection/involvement, receptivity/trust, and dominance, were the strongest predictors whether participants perceived a conversation as comfortable or uncomfortable.
