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Sample Materials prepared while studying Communication at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

All assignments listed below were part of my communications classes under Professor Beck

Writing Sample: 

Research Proposal

 

POSITIVE COMMUNICATION AND TRUST IN RELATIONSHIPS

 

 

 

 

Costructive Communication: Is it the key to building and repairing trust in relationships?

Final Research Proposal

Carina Bethea; UIN:  01022403

Submitted for COMM 302, Communication Research Methods I, Old Dominion University

 

 

 

This paper is presents primary and secondary research on the subject of trust and communication in relationships. The question of what roles communication and trust play after a transgression in a relationship is one of the core issues of the final research proposal. The primary research method contains an original likert-scale type survey and there are six secondary books and articles that serve as material for discussion of the hypothesis and research question:

 

            “A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other” (Dickens, 2010, p.14). This quote by Charles Dickens points at the fact, that communication is a vital aspect of human relationships. What another person feels and thinks is not always obvious and requires clarification in order to understand one another. This basic principle is especially important for relationships. Six sources will help determine, whether positive communication can make relationships last and even mend broken relationships. There are two parts to this topic of discussion: the role of positive communication in relationships regarding relational satisfaction and the role of positive communication in mending broken relationships. This paper will examine both aspects of the topic, beginning with the role of positive communication in relationships concerning relational happiness.

 

When talking about communication, affection might not be the first aspect one thinks about, but it is considered one of the “basic human needs”, which is why Dillow’s resource is invaluable with regard to shedding light on the secrets of successful relationships (Dillow, 2014, p. 102). Her research zooms in on the correlation between attachment style and affection demonstration, however the most important aspect from her paper is another: how affection impacts relationships. The study claims that “romantic love mediates the relationship between attachment styles and the expression of affection in romantic relationships” (Dillow, 2014, p. 107). According to these test results, affection is a matter of interpretation. The demonstration of relational affection depends on which attachment style a person identifies most, “secure, preoccupied, fearful avoidant, or dismissive avoidant” (Dillow, 2014, p. 108). This means that attachment and love are inseparable; affection is an expression of attachment, which helps in keeping couples happy – physically and psychologically (p. 105). Dillow understands affection as “nonverbal and/or verbal” expressions of love and considers it “essential behavior in any functional romantic relationship” (p.103). Affection is a form of positive communication and can be displayed in a variety of forms, including touch, encouragement, etc. The findings point toward the theory that positive communication increases relational satisfaction and establishes trust (p.103). An article on relational bliss, which appeared in the magazine “Cosmopolitan”, suggests similar effects of communication behavior on relationships. Ruiz mentions affectionate habits, like “making out” and “sleeping naked”, as being key to lasting love (2015, p.121). The underlying research shows that it takes roughly “5 hours per week” of active bonding time for couples to be satisfied (Ruiz, 2015, p.122). Similarly to Dillow’s assertation, Ruiz’s article establishes that positive communication in the form of “going on dates, chatting after work, kissing goodnight” lays the foundation for trust and satisfaction between partners (2015, p.122). Supporting each other’s dreams, being open to forgive each other and increasing the level of positivity in communication with the partner, are all mentioned as secret weapons against dissatisfaction and mistrust (Ruiz, 2015, p.121). Testimonies included in the article add a practical aspect to this particular source. These findings also help explain what positive communication is. It is a variety of verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors that can be expressed in many different ways. Communication is a complex topic– especially since males and females are generally different types of communicators.

 

This gender discrepancy concerning relational communication is at the core of the next source. The book by Nelson and Brown is meant to help men and women understand each other better. It is based on the thesis that men and women differ fundamentally in communication behavior, which can lead to conflict (Nelson, 2012, p. 8-10). According to the author, those differences - positively and negatively - influence communication behavior as well as relationships between men and women. Miscommunication is not necessarily if someone communicates in a negative way, but if there is a gap between the sender and the receiver of a message. The next source’s author, Lauber, examines a similar pattern and argues in his article on “broken relationships” that miscommunication is often the source of mistrust (p.9). At the same time, he states that “rebuilding trust” is necessary for “healing a relationship” (p.9). While in this case a relationship has previously experienced broken trust, positive communication is needed to mend relational wounds. Lauber put it in these words: “You need to do things to communicate to people that they can trust you” (p.9). Trust is what needs to be re-established when there has been a transgression in a relationship, like infidelity.

Weiser and Weigel’s study on responses to infidelity zeros in on communication as a tool to cure relational dissatisfaction. The topic of infidelity is important when examining dissatisfaction, trust and termination of relationships. The study mentions that “60% of dating relationships ended after an infidelity was discovered” (Weiser, 2014, p.416). Persistent mistrust is named as a possible cause (p.416). The article suggests that many “individuals will experience an infidelity during their lifetimes, and as such, it is important to understand how individuals may communicate (…) in a romantic relationship following an infidelity” (p.418). “Constructive communication”, which is described as an open-minded attitude, is named as one of the most decisive actions towards saving a relationship. As Nelson’s gender oriented communication book pointed out, women and men tend to follow distinct communication patterns. The same phenomenon is observed by Weiser and applied to the post-transgression communication phase of a relationship (p.420). The article connects “constructive communication” with the possibility of saving a relationship, whereas “passive” or “destructive” communication is associated with ending a relationship (p.419-420). Ending a relationship is far from what the next book suggests for disappointed couples.

Waldron and Kelley’s book on relational communication is similar to the previous two sources in that it argues that communication can help mend broken bonds, but it also introduces another aspect: forgiveness. The author defines forgiveness as the action of “identifying and rectifying wrongdoing in (our) relationships” (p.2). As the title implies, the author considers forgiveness and communication as two closely related actions; he goes as far as saying that partners “are compelled to communicate”, no matter how difficult the relational situation might be (p.2). This particular source is not only focused on positive communication, but also gives negative communication, in the form of “grudges and grief”, a place (p.2). In chapter 4, which narrows in on communicating forgiveness, “constructive communication” is mentioned as the fundamental term (the same communication form mentioned by Weiser) (p.92). This source offers extensive research on the post transgression communication process and its effect on relationships (p.93). It emphasizes the multidimensionality of post-transgression relational communication, which adds depth, practicality and complexity to the subject.

 

Each source offers a unique outlook and examples, with relational communication and trust at the center of all. The books and articles suggest that positive communication comes in many different forms, like physical and psychological love, and is expressed in a “constructive” manner. Positive communication is closely linked with trust, which in turn goes hand in hand with relational satisfaction. Considering the connections between all six sources regarding “constructive” communication and relational satisfaction, the research question of how positive communication impacts romantic relationships, emerges. The texts teach its readers to “forgive”, to “dream together”, to “establish trust” and “understand one another”. A survey with 15 participants, who have all been in a relationship for at least 3 years and experienced some kind of impactful physical or emotional relational transgression (for example, cheating, gambling issues, etc.) in their current or previous relationship, will add more primary research. While the hypothesis of positive communication as a “miracle cure” for relationships remains, its different layers require plenty of detail work and this complexity itself is possibly what is to blame for the dissolvement of many relationships. If that is the case, communication might well be the chance and the threat for relationships.

 

Finally, the research leads to the following hypothesis: Following a transgression, the more positive partner communication perceived by the “victim,” the higher levels of reported trust. Therefore, it is my conclusion that positive communication is the ultimate key to – continuously - successful relationships.

Research Question: How does positive communication impact trust in romantic relationships?

Hypothesis: The more constructive partner communication, the higher levels of reported trust, especially after a transgression.

 

Everyone, at some point in their life, is involved in a romantic relationship. It is part of the human experience. It is the generally the goal to have an enriching, good experience, while avoiding negative relationship experiences when possible. Trust is the foundation of relationships; this means that relational satisfaction depends on the level of trust. Trust and communication are linked in that communication behaviors can either build or destroy trust. These direct links that can either make or break a relationship are complex, yet common. Constructive communication between partners, which is defined as positive, encouraging and affectionate messages, seems to be the secret to a happy and trust-based relationship. Conclusive research, new findings and practical suggestions can help guide couples toward healthy communication behavior and help promote trust and relational satisfaction. Conclusive research on this topic can have a positive wide-ranging social impact.

 

  1. Rationale for the Method.

         A survey with 250 participants, who have all been in a relationship for at least 3 years and experienced some kind of impactful physical or emotional relational transgression (for example, cheating, gambling issues, etc.) in their current or previous relationship, will add primary research. 250 is a number high enough to be able to generalize, while still being able to yield results relatively fast. It is important to choose survey takers with the premise mentioned in mind, because single men or women for instance might have completely different views on the topics than men or women who have made experiences with relational transgressions.

         I decided on conducting a survey over an experiment based on multiple reasons. A survey considers a larger number of participants (Treadwell, 2014, p.153). In this case, I want a larger number of participants in order to make generalizations (p.153). These generalizations will help answer, challenge or confirm the research question and hypothesis. Anonymous surveys usually have little bias (p.153. People need to answer honestly in order to draw valid conclusions. Pre-tests and proper wording increase the chance of valid answers (Beck, 2016, module 9). Surveys yield results fast (p. 153). It will not take long to gather information and build on that research. Time is key here, as there is limited time to complete the paper.

 

   2. Method

   a. Participants.

         The survey I will be launching will be posted, distributed and collected online. I will “get the ball rolling” by inviting friends and acquaintances, who apply (“at least 3 years and experienced some kind of impactful physical or emotional relational transgression, for example cheating, gambling issues, etc. in their current or previous relationship”), to complete my survey anonymously. No names need to be given, all that matters are the final results. They are free to decline the survey inquiry if they wish. This will give them confidence in answering the questions honestly. This method of restricted probability sampling is known as “stratified random sampling” (module 8). In order to encourage people to take the survey, I will create an incentive by offering a 10% discount code for one item at Target, which Target was kind enough to grant me.

         I will gather 250 surveys, which is a good number to draw conclusions. I do expect to see trends and tendencies that can either explain and confirm, or argue my thesis. As anyone who sees the survey invitation can take part (or not take part), this can be considered a probability sampling. The fact that only people who can be categorized as “at least 3 years and experienced some kind of impactful physical or emotional relational transgression (for example, cheating, gambling issues, etc.) in their current or previous relationship”, this is a stratified sampling method that narrows down the selection and the results (p.139). I am expecting to gather statistically useful material from the survey.

 

    b. Data Collection.

I will conduct a survey to collect the data for my paper. The survey is sent out to potential candidates by myself via Facebook. See the questionnaire draft for more details.

These are the variables I have chosen for the survey:

  • Demographics (gender, age, lifestyle)

  • Relationship + Transgression Details

  • Communication

  • Trust + Forgiveness

         They tie in with the research question and the hypothesis in that they fill in the detail gaps and primary research data, which the secondary research does not provide. Hopefully, the level of bias with be low due to the anonymity factor, which would lead to objective results and final conclusions. The variables are split into five categories to add structure and usability to the survey. Demographics and lifestyle questions will be interesting factors which can be compared to one another for further study purposes, especially chi-square tests. The possibility of different age groups or genders behaving differently in relationships is hinted at in the secondary research, but would need to be confirmed by primary research. Relationship and transgression considerations will help create a picture of what impact the transgression has/had on the relationship. Communication is the core of the paper, which is why the survey taker’s communication behavior is important to consider. The role of trust is “hidden” in the survey to make the survey unbiased and let the survey-taker express their opinion on trust by themselves. By this point in the survey, they should be thinking about trust already. What I want to find out here is what role trust really takes – from a practical perspective. These are first-hand testimonies, which are invaluable for my paper; especially since there it hardly any research provided on this topic in my secondary sources. The role of forgiveness is built in with the trust sector – this category is mainly in the survey to support one of my main secondary sources (Communicating Forgiveness). The definition of forgiveness by the survey-taker him-/herself is important as well, as that will help further conclusions regarding forgiveness. Since the hypothesis focuses on communication and trust, the focus of the results and their measurement should be on communication and trust. This can be tested in chi squares for instance (see data analysis).

 

c. Data Analysis.

Likert-scale type results will be measured considering the point value assigned to the answer. I will create chi square tests with 2 variables (for example: gender, willingness to remain in relationship after transgression – or age, willingness to remain in relationship after transgression). Correlations will be considere.. The results will be discussed in the final paper and compared to the secondary research data and hypothesis.

Premise: This is a survey regarding a relationship (3+ years) in which a transgression took place.

 

   3. Evaluation:

After the surveys have been taken, I will evaluate the results as follows:

Points ranging from 18 to 90.

Higher numbers: more motivation to communicate/forgive/trust + more laid-back attitude

Lower numbers: less motivation to communicate/forgive/trust + more anxious attitude

3 groupings:  18-42: low communication, low forgiveness, low trust, short-term action

                       42-67: low communication or low forgiveness or low trust, long- or short-term     focus

                       67-90: high communication, high forgiveness, high trust, long-term action

More groupings, correlations and chi-squares can be created. Examples:

Male/female + high communication/forgiveness

Male/Female + low communication/forgiveness

Age + high communication/forgiveness

Age + low communication/forgiveness

Length of relationship + …

Selecting answers from specific sectors to measure correlation between two variables:

i.e.: trust + communication, communication + forgiveness, transgression details + trust

The variables (demographics + lifestyle, etc.) can be used as separate groupings as well. These variable groupings will be considered depending on primary research needed to support thesis or points.

 

  4. Results

a. Data Analysis:

The survey is primarily using quantitative research methods (Beck, module 11). It is not observational; it would be extremely difficult and time-consuming to conduct qualitative research on the subject. That would require years of observation, which is impossible for this particular assignment. However, some of the secondary sources include qualitative research that is expected to be confirmed by my primary research. A few of the questions in the survey are qualitative, for instance regarding the survey-taker’s idea of a desirable relationship or his/her definition of forgiveness. These broad answers will provide more detailed information. The quantitative questions of the survey will serve as the foundation of correlation patterns, graphs and the collection of measurable data.

 

b. Expected Results:

A difference between male and female’s answers to the survey is to be expected, as expectations, perceptions and actions of men and women in relationships tend to vary. I expect women to be more drawn to “emotional” affection for instance, versus physical affection for men. I also expect different age groups to provide different answers. For example, the term “forgiveness” might have a completely different meaning to someone who is 21 years old than to someone who is over 70. It makes sense that a lifetime of experiences would make a difference in how the world is perceived. Considering these variations, I am anticipating that certain answers have similar results. For example, I expect to see a majority of survey-takers select a high likelihood of being married in the future. People like to think positively about their own future and being married is associated with something positive for most people. I also think that most people will consider trust and communication as extremely important; these are basic values that are engrained in most of us. Overall, I expect to see a trend toward a well-balanced final mean score, as research/surveys/trends generally have a tendency to result in a balanced score – some people might score higher, some lower, it balances itself out (similar to the economic concept of General Equilibrium).

 

 

c. Implications:

If the overall score results in a mid-range mean score, it would mean the following for my research: If the masses are looking for a balance in relationships, this would be a relief for partners on both sides. It would put less pressure on both partners; the thought of “having to be perfect” at everything would not be applicable anymore. It would be okay to be a good communicator, good at showing affection, etc., without being idealist about these relationship points. This might actually take a lot of pressure and disappointment out of relationships. How this realization could be translated into practical settings is ambiguous: partners will rarely tell their spouses: “You don’t have to be great at everything…”. The result discrepancies between genders and age groups would add another layer of complexity to the topic at hand. Being faithful, an open communicator and affectional partner would not be enough; the specific gender- or age-related objectives and preferences would have to be considered as well. For example: if according to the survey results older women care less about physical affection than younger women, the relationship itself – granted it lasts for several decades – would have to evolve with time. The partner would have to change his/her behavior to match the changing hopes of the woman.

d. Limitations/Considerations for Future Research:

Conducting a survey with 10-30 participants will result in relatively reliable results, however, a higher number of participants would be better. Several hundred participants, possibly even thousands, would yield more scientifically valid results that could lead to more generalizable conclusions. Further, sharing the survey as a reputable company or organization could increase interest in participation as well as control the level of bias when answering the questions. I would imagine that people are more likely to be open and honest if they consider the source of the survey/test credible. The limitations of this topic, and any other communication-related topic really, is that any research done on a topic that is broad and personal can very rarely be practically applied and captured in the confined space of a survey. Observing people in their day-to-day lives, observing how they interact with each other and how these things change and how they impact their behavior over a long period of time, would be the ideal qualitative research method to address my research question and hypothesis. This kind of study is very difficult to pull off and it is one of the most significant limitations of communication research.

 

 

References

 

Beck, Gary Dr. Spring 2016. Communication Research Methods. Modules 1-16. Old Dominion University.

Dickens, C., & Dickens, C. (2010). A tale of two cities; and, Great expectations. New York: Penguin Books.

Dillow, M. R., Goodboy, A. K., & Bolkan, S. (2014). Attachment and the Expression of Affection in Romantic Relationships: The Mediating Role of Romantic Love. Communication Reports, 27(2), 102-115. doi:10.1080/08934215.2014.900096

Lauber, E. (2013). Broken Relationships. Personal Excellence Essentials, 18(12), 8-9.

Nelson, A., & Brown, C. D. (2012). The gender communication handbook: Conquering conversational collisions between men and women. San Francisco, CA: Wiley.

Ruiz, M. (2015). How to Make Love Last. (cover story). Cosmopolitan, 258(1), 120.

Waldron, V. R., & Kelley, D. L. (2007). Communicating Forgiveness. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Weiser, D. A., & Weigel, D. J. (2014). Testing a Model of Communication Responses to Relationship Infidelity. Communication Quarterly, 62(4), 416-435. doi:10.1080/01463373.2014.922482

 

 

 

Appendix

 

Survey:

Premise: This is a survey regarding a relationship (3+ years) in which a transgression took place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comm 302

Professor Beck

Spring 2016

Carina Bethea

 

ePortfolio 5 – Final Reflection Essay

 

 

The ePortfolio assignments were part of my Comm 302 spring 2016 class at Old Dominion University. There were a total of five ePortfolio assignments, ranging from written assignments to a video presentation. They encouraged me to apply what I have learned about communication research in a practical way. It happens to me a lot that I forget things I have learned when I don’t actively use them, so I welcome this practical use of the course materials.

Writing my final research proposal is a perfect example of this. Throughout the whole semester I have worked on and improved several written assignments, like the mini assignments, which all led to the final cumulative final paper. Re-reading older work is a great exercise as it helps see mistakes and the paper as a whole with fresh eyes. This is one of the things I owe to this class and I will use this principle in my future career. Returning to previous work and improving it is a brilliant tool for self-reflection and betterment.

 

During my time at Old Dominion University, I have learned to love ePortfolios. I was skeptical at first and it seemed like a lot of “unnecessary work”. However, an ePortfolio is really a great platform for your professional life. It creates a professional first impression for potential employers. It is also a fantastic stage for writing and video samples for example. Again, this is like a practical, more visual and more professional resume. It goes above and beyond and I have had a lot of fun assembling mine for this class. Seeing it come together over the semester was an exciting process.

Wix is a wonderful program and makes creating websites easy. It is more or less just “drag and drop”. I was concerned about my lack in HTML knowledge at the beginning, but I was happy not to even have to dabble in that. It is so much simpler with Wix! I have not encountered any issues with it to date and Wix is constantly adding new features, widgets and improvements to the program, which makes it great for beginners!

My final research proposal is what I am most proud of and what I consider to be the most beneficial for my future. It is a collection of papers, with lots of research and thought behind it.

I have spent many hours working on the research proposal paper and I am excited to present it on my Wix site. Assembling a survey for it was the toughest part. Choosing the right questions, the right evaluation system etc. was quite tedious. Seeing it finally come together made me very happy. I am sure I can use a similar system in my future job as it is very practical in application.

 

If I were to give any advice to fellow students about working on ePortfolios, I would recommend pouring a lot of time and effort into these assignments from the very beginning. Everything builds on itself, so perfecting things after they’re already really good is the way to go.  Learning by doing is a great way to remember what you learned and gather experience. Social media and online platforms are the future, there is no denial. ePortfolios (and Wix as a tool) help make this professional presentation platform easy to use and easy to show off. As with most things, dedication is key. If you stay on top of everything, you are well on your way!

I am excited about using the principles of communication research I learned this semester in “real life”.

 

Writing Samples from  my time as a freelance journlist and photojournalist for the Muenchner Merkur, one of Germany's biggest newspapers. Both the images and the writing are by me. 

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