Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-176)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MA)--University of Montana, 2009. / "Major Subject: Communication Studies". Title from author supplied metadata. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Delaware, 2008. / Principal faculty advisor: Charles Q. Pavitt, Dept. of Communication. Includes bibliographical references.

M.A. / This dissertation comprises an exploratory study of the role and functions of communication during growth and transcendence cycles of the unique individual. It moreover explores how the quintessence of the individual, the self, manages and transforms itself, through the use of communication. The exploration focuses on the subjective, inner reality of humanity. The inner, subjective reality of humanity relates to different states and levels of consciousness and corresponding levels of self-awareness. Since an exploration of the nature of the self and its possible confluence with states and levels of consciousness necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, theories and constructs in Psychology, the New Physics (Quantum Physics), Mysticism, and Philosophy are explored and integrated with contemporary, communication notions of the self and consciousness. Integration and inclusiveness consequently form the bedrock of this study. The intrapersonal and transpersonal levels of communication are considered as the derivatives of a subjective, inner reality. The exploration and comprehension of an inner reality are considered to be of prime significance to the management, development, transformation and transcendence of the self: the individual as a unique multifarious being. A pilot study of selfawareness through self-reports indicates that a transcendental spirituality, and consequently an inner, subjective transcendental reality is imminent in every individual. An intrinsic need for equanimity and unity is hence considered as the birthright of every individual and not the exclusive legacy of sages and mystics. The assertion that humanity shares an innate spiritual nature allows the integration of the constructs of the self and levels and states of consciousness, ensuing from the exploration in this study, in a more representative and inclusive model and theory of the self in communication. The relationship between the self, consciousness, and intrapersonal and transpersonal communication is depicted and described in terms of an experiential multidimensional model of intrapsychic communication. This helps to address the exclusion of humanity's archetypal spiritual need to actualise its ultimate and essential being that is not represented hi contemporary communication theory. It is proposed that the term intrapsychic communication be used to represent the total spectrum of communication within the Self. The upper case 'S' in 'Self represents humanity's essential being. This facilitates the incorporation of the spiritual component of the Self into the current dualistic and mechanistic representation of the self in communication theory. The worth of intrapsychic communication, which comprises prepersonal, intrapersonal, transcendental and transpersonal communication, lies in its facilitation of awareness, comprehension, integration and transcendence of an imprisoned and deprived ego-self. Intrapsychic communication consequently represents all the levels of communication within the Self with its corresponding levels of consciousness. Intrapersonal communication facilitates both awareness and integration of the inner subjective reality, and the external sociocultural reality of the ego which is at the core of the Self. Transcendental communication provides the 'crosswalk' or 'crosstalk' between levels of the Self. This is represented as the 'fusion' between the different symbol structures of the different levels of consciousness. Transpersonal communication is the integration, expansion and unification of the Self through archetypal symbol structures. Prepersonal communication refers to the primitive roots of awareness. This model indicates that consciousness cannot be experienced as a distinct experience. Rather, intrapsychic communication facilitates a sense and experience of Self by an individual in different levels of consciousness because of the change of symbol structures, and content and focus of information. Differences of levels in the Self are hence experienced through different forms and levels of communication which facilitate a change in content and focus in consciousness. The inclusion of the archetypal spiritual dimension of the Self, and the indication of an intrinsic need for wholeness, unity and transcendence in intrapsychic communication, dignifies humanity. The possible realisation through intraspychic communication that 'All is One' indicates that such a shared heritage, which is illustrated in the model and which cuts across all cultural and racial boundaries, is needed to address global disharmony and antagonism. The study likewise concomitantly asserts the improvement of interpersonal communication through the fulfilment of humanity's quest for the management, development, transformation and transcendence of its Self. Since the study is of an exploratory nature, and the model of intrapsychic communication is an experiential one, suggestions for further study and research are also made.

This study replicates and extends previous research on the relationship between interpersonal construct differentiation and message production in regulative communication situations (O'Keefe & McComack, 1987; O'Keefe, 1988). The research examines whether a subject's use of a particular message design logic (expressive, conventional, or rhetorical) and goal structure (minimal, unifunctional, or multifunctional) is related to his or her level of cognitive complexity, gender, and locus of control. Subjects (n = 160) were asked to complete the Crockett's (1966) Role Category Questionnaire (RCQ) and Levenson's (1981) Internal, Powerful Others, and Chance Scale. Subjects were also asked to respond to a hypothetical regulative communication task. Their responses were then classified according to criteria established by O'Keefe. The study found a significant positive relationship between construct differentiation and message design such that less complex subjects wrote expressive messages, moderately complex subjects wrote conventional messages, and highly complex subjects wrote rhetorical messages. There was a significant negative relationship between construct differentiation and goal structure such that less complex respondents sought multifunctional goals while highly complex subjects sought minimal goals. There were no gender related differences. The locus of control constructs (internality, powerlessness, and chance) were related to message design. Internal, powerful, and low chance orientated actors composed conventional or rhetorical messages. External, powerless, and high chance orientated respondents wrote expressive messages. Powerlessness was related to goal structure such that powerless actors sought multiple goals while powerful subjects sought minimal goals. The results ofthe study provide partial support for O'Keefe's (1988) theory of message design. In particular, the results confirm the premise that construct differentiation is a predictor of message design logic. The findings also identify locus of control as a predictor of message design. The negative relationships identified in the study suggest that there may be conceptual or methodological problems with O'Keefe's model which must be addressed before any additional conclusions can be made.

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Thesis (Ph. D)--UCLA, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 201-210).