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Media Use Patterns, Expectations, And Violations: Extending Media Multiplexity Theory To Extended Family Communication

Following recent interest in media multiplexity theory (MMT), this manuscript reports cluster analysis of different media use patterns in extended family networks and results of an experimental study examining how participants respond to hypothetical changes in media use (i.e., increasing or decreasing use frequency) by an extended family member. After contending that MMT addresses both media use patterns and expectations, I employed expectancy violations theory to consider the extent to which communication satisfaction and tie strength moderate evaluations of media use violations. Cluster analysis revealed five different types of media use patterns among extended family ties, and family communication patterns predicted group membership. Results indicated that communication satisfaction served as a more potent and consistent moderator of violations, such that, for example, decreased media use by satisfying communicators was perceived as negative and important (but less negative and less important when committed by unsatisfying communicators). Beyond highlighting possible outcomes of violations, these results commend the nature of the relationship as a motivating force for media selection when organizational norms are absent. Implications for studying media use patterns in interpersonal relationships are discussed.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:TCU/oai:etd.tcu.edu:etd-05132014-120911
Date13 May 2014
CreatorsTaylor, Samuel Hardman
ContributorsAndrew M Ledbetter, Paul Schrodt, Kristen Carr
PublisherTexas Christian University
Source SetsTexas Christian University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://etd.tcu.edu/etdfiles/available/etd-05132014-120911/
Rightsunrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to TCU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report.

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