Thomas Socha – författare

This book offers a fresh and insightful introduction to children's communication development that emphasizes how families help children learn to communicate optimally. Writing for communication students, parents, teachers, and all who care for children, the authors argue that optimal development of children's communication competencies depends on family participation in everyday learning situations that challenge children's skills and build communication confidence. The book mirrors the organization and coverage of existing family communication textbooks, making it a valuable addition to coursework about families, communication, and development. Chapter topics include:   an overview of communication development: universal stages and cultural variations; communication development at home: nonverbal, verbal and mediated skills; relational and group dynamics in the home, including variations by ethnicity and family configuration; family roles and family rules for providing stability and structuring behavior; family resiliency in coping with challenges; strategies for fostering positive communication development in the home.  Families Communicating with Children emphasizes the positive effects of family influence, and draws attention to cross-cultural variations in parenting as well as universal steps in development. These features clarify the process of communication development and offer an optimistic view of the future for the many shapes families assume today.

This book offers a fresh and insightful introduction to children's communication development that emphasizes how families help children learn to communicate optimally. Writing for communication students, parents, teachers, and all who care for children, the authors argue that optimal development of children's communication competencies depends on family participation in everyday learning situations that challenge children's skills and build communication confidence. The book mirrors the organization and coverage of existing family communication textbooks, making it a valuable addition to coursework about families, communication, and development. Chapter topics include:   an overview of communication development: universal stages and cultural variations; communication development at home: nonverbal, verbal and mediated skills; relational and group dynamics in the home, including variations by ethnicity and family configuration; family roles and family rules for providing stability and structuring behavior; family resiliency in coping with challenges; strategies for fostering positive communication development in the home.  Families Communicating with Children emphasizes the positive effects of family influence, and draws attention to cross-cultural variations in parenting as well as universal steps in development. These features clarify the process of communication development and offer an optimistic view of the future for the many shapes families assume today.

Building on past research that includes prosocial-antisocial communication, positive psychology, as well as complementing the dark side of interpersonal communication, this groundbreaking volume brings together veteran interpersonal communication scholars to examine the bright, positive sides of communication in human relations. Together, they begin to frame a conceptual foundation for studies on the «positive» side of interpersonal communication, or in general terms, relational communication that promotes happiness, health, and wellness. In the process they examine moments of relational beauty, laughter and play, positive emotion, relational support, understanding, and forgiveness, as well as facilitation of positive character traits and positive relational communication values. The Positive Side of Interpersonal Communication is intended to serve as a starting point for future research as well as inspiring new areas of interpersonal communication scholarship.

Inspired by recent work in positive psychology, Positive Communication in Health and Wellness gives scholarly attention to what’s going right in people’s communication lives. The book harnesses a dispersed – but powerful – body of communication scholarship that has at its center a focus on building healthy communication contexts and generating wellness. By organizing and representing contemporary communication scholarship in the area of positive communication in health and wellness, the essays in this book will inspire collective action and further scholarship that highlights the potential for flourishing health, enhanced well-being, and greater human fulfillment through positive communication. This book will be useful in health communication courses as well as those in relational and organizational communication.

Inspired by recent work in positive psychology, Positive Communication in Health and Wellness gives scholarly attention to what’s going right in people’s communication lives. The book harnesses a dispersed – but powerful – body of communication scholarship that has at its center a focus on building healthy communication contexts and generating wellness. By organizing and representing contemporary communication scholarship in the area of positive communication in health and wellness, the essays in this book will inspire collective action and further scholarship that highlights the potential for flourishing health, enhanced well-being, and greater human fulfillment through positive communication. This book will be useful in health communication courses as well as those in relational and organizational communication.

From serious illness to natural disasters, humans turn to communication as a major source of strength to help us bounce back and to keep growing and thriving.Communicating Hope and Resilience Across the Lifespan addresses the various ways in which communication plays an important role in fostering hope and resilience. Adopting a lifespan approach and offering a new framework to expand our understanding of the concepts of «hope» and «resilience» from a communication perspective, contributors highlight the variety of «stressors» that people may encounter in their lives. They examine connections between the cognitive dimensions of hope such as self-worth, self-efficacy, and creative problem solving. They look at the variety of messages that can facilitate or inhibit experiencing hope in relationships, groups, and organizations. Other contributors look at how communication that can build strengths, enhance preparation, and model successful adaptation to change has the potential to lessen the negative impact of stress, demonstrating resilience.As an important counterpoint to recent work focusing on what goes wrong in interpersonal relationships, communication that has the potential to uplift and facilitate responses to stressful circumstances is emphasized throughout this volume. By offering a detailed examination of how to communicate hope and resilience, this book presents practical lessons for individuals, marriages, families, relationship experts, as well as a variety of other practitioners.

From serious illness to natural disasters, humans turn to communication as a major source of strength to help us bounce back and to keep growing and thriving.Communicating Hope and Resilience Across the Lifespan addresses the various ways in which communication plays an important role in fostering hope and resilience. Adopting a lifespan approach and offering a new framework to expand our understanding of the concepts of «hope» and «resilience» from a communication perspective, contributors highlight the variety of «stressors» that people may encounter in their lives. They examine connections between the cognitive dimensions of hope such as self-worth, self-efficacy, and creative problem solving. They look at the variety of messages that can facilitate or inhibit experiencing hope in relationships, groups, and organizations. Other contributors look at how communication that can build strengths, enhance preparation, and model successful adaptation to change has the potential to lessen the negative impact of stress, demonstrating resilience.As an important counterpoint to recent work focusing on what goes wrong in interpersonal relationships, communication that has the potential to uplift and facilitate responses to stressful circumstances is emphasized throughout this volume. By offering a detailed examination of how to communicate hope and resilience, this book presents practical lessons for individuals, marriages, families, relationship experts, as well as a variety of other practitioners.

Every great scholar begins as a student. But what does it take to get there? And what is the journey like? This book explores the lifespan development of some of the best-known communication scholars in the United States. Grounded in 30 in-depth interviews, personal stories, and communication theory, the book reveals the nature of human development, the curvature of disciplinary thinking, and the values that drive communication professionals. With powerful examples from great thinkers and teachers such as Robert Craig, Valerie Manusov, and Gerry Philipsen, the book shows that communicating well is a slow, gradual awakening toward others. How Communication Scholars Think and Act is designed to inspire students and faculty alike to persevere in the face of setbacks, to learn about communication more deeply, and to improve human relationships across contexts. This is an ideal text for courses in communication theory, interpersonal communication, and introductory courses to the field. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to become a communication professional.

Every great scholar begins as a student. But what does it take to get there? And what is the journey like? This book explores the lifespan development of some of the best-known communication scholars in the United States. Grounded in 30 in-depth interviews, personal stories, and communication theory, the book reveals the nature of human development, the curvature of disciplinary thinking, and the values that drive communication professionals. With powerful examples from great thinkers and teachers such as Robert Craig, Valerie Manusov, and Gerry Philipsen, the book shows that communicating well is a slow, gradual awakening toward others. How Communication Scholars Think and Act is designed to inspire students and faculty alike to persevere in the face of setbacks, to learn about communication more deeply, and to improve human relationships across contexts. This is an ideal text for courses in communication theory, interpersonal communication, and introductory courses to the field. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to become a communication professional.

Despite growing recognition of the diversity of family forms and structures, discourses among family scholars and practitioners as well as in popular culture continue to operate from the assumption that families are fairly homogeneous in terms of the values and beliefs, social positions, and identities of individual family members. Navigating Relationships in the Modern Family provides a unique and important perspective on how communication within and about families related to issues of identity and difference can ameliorate negative processes and, at times, potentially amplify positive outcomes such as well-being and relational solidarity. Chapters in this edited volume focus on divergent social identities in the family (e.g., interfaith families, multiethnic-racial families, acculturation and immigration) as well as differences emerging from family formative processes (e.g., stepfamilies, in-law relationships, foster care). In addition to synthesizing the current state of the scholarship in these particular family contexts, each chapter discusses the interplay between families and the larger social and cultural context. For instance, how does grandparent-grandchild communication influence attitudes toward older adults and aging? Can we improve interfaith dialogue in larger societal interactions by understanding communication in interfaith families? How do ideologies of social class and social discourses about adoption and foster care influence family functioning? Chapters conclude with a discussion on implications for scholars and family practitioners. The edited volume would make an ideal primary or secondary required text for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses on families as well as specialized family courses on understudied family relationships and forms. The volume also serves as an important resource for family scholars and practitioners.

Interpersonal Sexual Communication across the Lifespan traces curious children, eager adolescents, exploring adults, committed partners, and vibrant elderly in their negotiation of sexual development and changes in relationships. Sex and sexuality have been examined at least since the inaugural works of Kinsey and Masters and Johnson. These early and subsequent works have been marked by the emphasis on sexual performance, biological, physiological, or psychological processes that impact sexual activity and interaction. This book emphasizes communication research dispersed across several disciplines and would be of value to students in sexual communication or human sexuality courses.

Communicating Fatherhood is the first text to focus squarely on communication by and about fathers. This highly readable collection features an engaging mix of research chapters, personal reflections, and rich qualitative explorations of fatherhood as it is depicted in media, cultural traditions, father support programs, and the often-poignant reports of daughters, sons, spouses, and other family members. The amazing diversity of fatherhood is on display, with chapters exploring the experiences of Native American, African American, and Latino dads and their families. The reader will also hear from stay-at-home dads, nonresidential fathers, dads who are sperm donors, adoptive dads, and fathers who have been challenged by addiction, disability, and toxic versions of masculinity.Although grounded in communication research and theory, Communicating Fatherhood strikes personal and emotional chords that will resonate with student readers and researchers alike. Authors share personal experiences of fatherhood – some heartwarming, and others painful – all of which emphasize the powerful and lifelong influence of "father-speak". The text generates deep insights for readers hoping to be fathers, family members seeking to understand fathers, and researchers studying the role communication has in shaping the many and varied roles played by fathers in families. Committed to tracing the development of fatherhood across the lifespan, Communicating Fatherhood is the perfect text for undergraduate and graduate courses in family communication, personal relationships, lifespan communication, and gender studies."In this pioneering book Communicating Fatherhood, the editors have assembled an impressive range of scholarly and practitioner voices. The focus on communication and fathers is unparalleled in the current market and makes an outstanding companion to books focusing on maternal communication. Chapters cover essential topics, such as how father ideals have evolved over time, father-offspring bonds, and influences of traditional and emerging media on fatherhood. The book provides an eclectic and multivocal view of fatherhood, examining the experiences of dads who are Black, Latino, Native American, adoptive, working and stay-at-home, nonresidential, gay, recent immigrants, and dads with disabilities."—Michelle Miller-Day, Professor, Chapman University Author: Constructing Motherhood and Fatherhood Across the Lifespan "Editors Vince Waldron and Tom Socha bring together authors who share research and personal experiences focused on the doing of fatherhood via communication and media, how fathers challenge and change roles and relationships as the lifespan unfolds. Readers will find this book very useful in in their own families and communities."—Dawn O. Braithwaite, Willa Cather Professor of Communication Studies (Emerita), University of Nebraska-Lincoln Author: "Communication Matters" blog, Psychology Today "Waldron and Socha have compiled an impressive collection of essays exploring fatherhood from scientific, historical, educational, and experiential perspectives. Communicating Fatherhood is a must read for anyone seeking to more fully understand the changing landscape of American families."—Douglas L. Kelley, Professor of Communication (Emeritus), Arizona State University

Communicating Fatherhood is the first text to focus squarely on communication by and about fathers. This highly readable collection features an engaging mix of research chapters, personal reflections, and rich qualitative explorations of fatherhood as it is depicted in media, cultural traditions, father support programs, and the often-poignant reports of daughters, sons, spouses, and other family members. The amazing diversity of fatherhood is on display, with chapters exploring the experiences of Native American, African American, and Latino dads and their families. The reader will also hear from stay-at-home dads, nonresidential fathers, dads who are sperm donors, adoptive dads, and fathers who have been challenged by addiction, disability, and toxic versions of masculinity.Although grounded in communication research and theory, Communicating Fatherhood strikes personal and emotional chords that will resonate with student readers and researchers alike. Authors share personal experiences of fatherhood – some heartwarming, and others painful – all of which emphasize the powerful and lifelong influence of "father-speak". The text generates deep insights for readers hoping to be fathers, family members seeking to understand fathers, and researchers studying the role communication has in shaping the many and varied roles played by fathers in families. Committed to tracing the development of fatherhood across the lifespan, Communicating Fatherhood is the perfect text for undergraduate and graduate courses in family communication, personal relationships, lifespan communication, and gender studies."In this pioneering book Communicating Fatherhood, the editors have assembled an impressive range of scholarly and practitioner voices. The focus on communication and fathers is unparalleled in the current market and makes an outstanding companion to books focusing on maternal communication. Chapters cover essential topics, such as how father ideals have evolved over time, father-offspring bonds, and influences of traditional and emerging media on fatherhood. The book provides an eclectic and multivocal view of fatherhood, examining the experiences of dads who are Black, Latino, Native American, adoptive, working and stay-at-home, nonresidential, gay, recent immigrants, and dads with disabilities."—Michelle Miller-Day, Professor, Chapman University Author: Constructing Motherhood and Fatherhood Across the Lifespan "Editors Vince Waldron and Tom Socha bring together authors who share research and personal experiences focused on the doing of fatherhood via communication and media, how fathers challenge and change roles and relationships as the lifespan unfolds. Readers will find this book very useful in in their own families and communities."—Dawn O. Braithwaite, Willa Cather Professor of Communication Studies (Emerita), University of Nebraska-Lincoln Author: "Communication Matters" blog, Psychology Today "Waldron and Socha have compiled an impressive collection of essays exploring fatherhood from scientific, historical, educational, and experiential perspectives. Communicating Fatherhood is a must read for anyone seeking to more fully understand the changing landscape of American families."—Douglas L. Kelley, Professor of Communication (Emeritus), Arizona State University

Living in a post-truth world during an era of information wars, making sense of events is increasingly challenging for everyone. The fact that today’s politics has found many retreating to ideologically “safe” spaces online where their world view is not contested makes the need for news and information literacy more significant. A contemporary world where disinformation and propaganda lead to a distrust of news sources calls for a new way to approach information and news literacy. Digital technology has seemingly made information and news easier to access, but it has also made sorting quality from nonsense a challenge.This book presents a different approach to news and information literacy which uses a flipped classroom method to create a student-centered learning experience. The course is guided by the educational philosophy of Paulo Freire and draws on theory and research from psychology, education and news and information literacy. The course begins with an exercise which reveals the role confirmation bias plays in how students judge the adequacy of news and information they retrieve through online search. The course engenders greater confidence in mastering the pitfalls of the Internet as students emerge empowered with self-knowledge as well as a better understanding of the Internet. The book is relevant for news, information and media literacy teachers, especially at the secondary and collegiate levels, curriculum specialists, continuing and adult education specialists and anyone who wants to better understand how we process news and information in the digital age.