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Expanding Understandings of Mediated and Human Socialization Agents: Chinese Children Talk about Desirable Work and Career |
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Author(s): Patrice M. Buzzanell, Brenda L. Berkelaar, and Lorraine G. Kisselburgh |
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This study examines what young Chinese children aged 3 to 10 years of age say about socialization
agents who encourage particular kinds of future work and careers. As expected from prior research, family functions
as the primary influence, but parents and extended family members operate in a mediated socialization environment
where television shows, the Internet, testing, extracurricular activities, and children’s own observations and
understanding of what they like and dislike shape their aspirations toward particular careers and occupations.
Children’s talk displays the cultural formations and material consequences in which they are embedded, as they
allude to parental and children’s responsibilities at the intersections of changing policies and cultures. This study
expands theoretical understandings of the human and non-human socialization agents (and their intersections) that
influence understandings of work and career, offering practical suggestions for future research and career
interventions. [China Media Research. 2012; 8(1): 1-14] |
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Understanding Netizen Discourse in China: Formation, Genres, and Values |
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Author(s): Yingchun Xu |
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China has the largest number of Internet citizens or, “netizens,” in the world. The locus of Internet
culture has shifted from the political/moneyed elite to the general population at large, where the right to freedom of
speech is voraciously exercised, by a population that previously had no outlet for such a type of critical public
discourse. However, most observers seem to have taken a pessimistic approach towards understanding the intentions
behind China’s usage of the World Wide Web, despite the fact that it serves as a shared hub for nearly all of China’s
popular discourse. Subjects commented on, critiqued, and debated range from pop culture fads to government
initiatives and corruption, with many genres being hybridized combinations of politics, culture, history, and
entertainment. By adopting the method of discourse analysis, this article aims to disclose the intrinsic qualities and
values of China’s netizen discourse from its cultural and political perspectives. The formation of China’s online
discourse and six main genres will be analyzed. By studying the unique characteristics and values of each
respectively, its varied manifestations from personal to political, insight into the operating system and motives
behind China’s online public discourse can be gained. [China Media Research. 2012; 8(1): 15-24] |
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Online Discussion of Sharon Stone’s Karma Comment on China Earthquake: the Intercultural Communication of Media Events in the Age of Media Convergence |
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Author(s): Jun Xiao and Helin Li |
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Impelled by both the communication globalization and new-tech application, media convergence has
become an inevitable trend for the media development of countries around the world. Based on the analysis of
enormous controversies provoked by Sharon Stone’s “karma” remark, this article probes the role of media
convergence in the cross-cultural communication of media events. Our research has four major findings. First,
media convergence greatly promotes the communication of cross-cultural events, in that the advanced degree of
media convergence determines the speed, span and depth of communication for cross-cultural events. The mutually
complementary and reiterative feeding between traditional and new media in media convergence is very evident;
yet, media convergence (to a certain degree) avoids the language barrier of cross-cultural communication. Second,
media convergence reconstructs the communication rules of media events, in that journalism and communication
transits from single-authority to multi-authorities, traditional media still plays the guidance role of public opinion,
and network media is becoming the concourse of multi-authorities. Third, the weakening of cross-cultural
interpretation for the key word is the important cause of cross-cultural conflicts, which is shown in the cultural
conflicts in network nationalism frame and the subculture conflicts in the same ethical frame. Finally, the
ideological opposition is the profound reason for cross-cultural conflicts. We conclude that the meanings of media
convergence to the cross-cultural communication of media events manifest in multiple levels. On one hand, media
convergence technologically creates enormous communication energy and consequently promotes the content
communication for cross-cultural events and narrows the span of space and time between our culture and the others.
On the other hand, the technology convergence has not yet produced the culture convergence; in contrast, intervened
by multiple powers as nationalism, subculture conflicts and ideologies, media convergence intensifies, amplifies and
increases cultural conflicts and prejudices, creating new barriers for cross-cultural communication. [China Media
Research. 2012; 8(1): 25-39] |
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To Stay or Not to Stay, That’s Politics: Chinese Netizens’ Rhetorical Vision on Google’s Leaving China
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Author(s): Shaorong Huang |
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The population of Chinese netizens was 384 million by the end of 2009, with 3.68 million websites
and 180 million blogs. These Internet users have formed a unique and vociferous community. They are eager to
follow with interest the world, state and local affairs, ready to collect information and spread any kinds of news
including rumors, and willing to express their opinions freely online. In their response to the Google’s threat of
withdrawal from China in early 2010, Chinese netizens collectively formed a rhetorical vision that Google, a
company with a “Don’t be evil” motto, was actually doing evil in China. In this paper, I will use Ernest Bormann’s
symbolic convergence theory, an important communication theory, and the fantasy theme analysis, a method of
rhetorical criticism rooted from the theory, to analyze the three fantasy themes created by Chinese netizens—setting
theme, character theme, and action theme that helped construct this rhetorical vision. [China Media Research. 2012;
8(1): 40-47] |
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The Facebook Phenomenon:
Online Self-Disclosure and Uncertainty Reduction
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Author(s): Cynthia Palmieri, Kristen Prestano, Rosalie Gandley, Emily Overton, Qin Zhang |
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The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of self-disclosure on Facebook on
perceived uncertainty reduction. The findings from one-way ANOVA revealed the levels of self-disclosure on an
individual’s Facebook Page affect perceived uncertainty about that individual. More self-disclosure on Facebook
leads to less uncertainty. Uncertainty was reduced with more self-disclosure by increasing perceived abilities to
predict attitudes and behaviors of others. [China Media Research. 2012; 8(1): 48-53] |
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Exploring the Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivations in Blogging: Results of a Survey of Hong Kong University Students |
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Author(s): Ying Li, Gong-Cheng Lin |
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Blogging stickiness and motivations have become a frequently studied topic in blogging research for
several years, yet little research pays attention to the difference between the initial motivation and current
motivations. This study proposes to investigate and understand bloggers behaviors through specifying the intrinsic
and extrinsic components of their motivations. Two major questions were raised and explored in this study: 1. What
are the reasons that promote students to initiate blogs; 2. How the blogging motivations and behavior patterns
interact in blog maintaining. Based on a survey of 186 bloggers, among City University of Hong Kong, it is found
that three major motivations (practicing a new type of diary, curiosity and thoughts on following the crowd) are the
most important motivations in initiating blogging. In maintaining a blog, the hypothesis that social connection
motivation is positively related to interaction-oriented behavior, while emotion-pouring motivation is positively
related to self-restriction behavior in expression is supported. [China Media Research. 2012; 8(1): 54-63]
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Chinese Consumers’ Skepticism Toward Advertising |
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Author(s): Song Tian & Yorgo Pasadeos |
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This study examined Chinese consumers’ skepticism toward advertising for five media types
(television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and the Internet) and six product categories (cosmetics, automotive, drug,
retail, food, and real estate) as well as different media use habits. Based on a survey of 310 Chinese respondents in
Beijing and Guiyang, the study has revealed some important findings. First, Chinese consumers held a general
tendency of moderate disbelief toward advertising in both markets. Second, skepticism toward advertising seemed to
be stronger for print media than for television. Furthermore, the Internet was viewed as the least reliable medium for
advertising claims. Third, advertising skepticism differed by product type. Chinese consumers perceived food and
automotive as relatively trustworthy advertising categories. Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and real estate were the
categories which they trusted the least. This is probably due to misleading and deceptive advertising that overstate
the benefits of products prevalent in those industries. Fourth, hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that
media use was linked to advertising skepticism through the role of media as sources of both news and product
information. Media consumption time did not show significant relationships to advertising skepticism, with the
exception of being negatively associated with the level of skepticism toward newspaper advertising. [China Media
Research. 2012; 8(1): 64-75] |
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Perceptions of Western Media Coverage on China: Chinese Scholars vs. Foreign Correspondents based in China
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Author(s): Ke Guo |
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The chapter discusses the perceptions of Chinese scholars and foreign correspondents based in China
on the western media coverage of China in 2008. This was done through the use of second-hand data and interviews.
The paper summarizes Chinese perceptions of Western media coverage by examining papers and articles on media
coverage in 2008 of three news events in China: the Tibet riots, also known as 3•14 Event in China, the Wenchuan
Earthquake, and the Olympic Games (all of which took place in 2008). Perceptions were analyzed in terms of their
topic relevance, attitude, general tones, method used as well as tension perceived. The paper then compares Chinese
perceptions with perceptions from 12 western correspondents in China based on an interview conducted in 2008.
Finally, the paper offers an assessment on Western media coverage in 2008. [China Media Research. 2012; 8(1): 76-
85] |
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Communicating through Networks: Chinese Business People’s Views on Engaging in Business with Foreign Firms
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Author(s): Shuang Liu, Peter, W. Liesch, Joanne R. Smith, Yi Ren, and Cindy Gallois |
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The growing Chinese economy has attracted foreign ventures from around the world to engage in
business partnerships with Chinese firms. However, many foreign businesses confront the liability of foreignness of
operating in China. This paper examines how cultural, institutional, and socio-economic influences are
communicated through Chinese business people’s intentions to engage in business with foreign firms. Interviews
and a survey were conducted with business executives across different industries and regions in China. The findings
show that Chinese business people’s intentions to engage in business with foreign firms are most likely to be
influenced by the extent of personal trust, institutional network ties, government support, and common
understanding of business norms. This study generates insights on how foreign ventures can minimize the liability of
foreignness and effectively manage business relationships with Chinese partners through effective communication.
[China Media Research. 2012; 8(1): 86-94] |
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Is That Fair? A Cultural Analysis of Chinese Criminal Courtroom Communication |
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Author(s): Yanrong (Yvonne) Chang |
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This study attempts a cultural analysis of criminal courtroom communication in China. Using
ethnographic data collection and analysis methods, this study decodes the cultural symbols and meanings, and norms
that shape the structural and sequential features of Chinese criminal trials. Through identifying and interpreting two
core cultural symbols—gongzheng and zhengyi, it argues that communication practices in Chinese criminal trials
allow the communicative accomplishment of Chinese culturally situated and distinctive notions of justice as both
fairness (gongzheng) and righteousness (zhengyi). [China Media Research. 2012; 8(1): 95-104] |
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An Interview of Dr. Lynn H. Turner
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Author(s): Jingjing Z. Edmondson |
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Interviewee ’s Biosketch:
Dr. Lynn H. Turner earned her Ph.D. at Northwestern University, her master's from the University of Iowa, and
her B.A. from the University of Illinois. She is now a Professor in the Communication Studies division of Marquette
University (Milwaukee, WI, USA), where she also serves as the Director of the Interdisciplinary Minor in Family
Studies. Her research areas include interpersonal, gendered, and family communication. She is the co-author or
co-editor of over 10 books as well as many articles and book chapters. Her articles have appeared in various journals
including: Management Communication Quarterly, Journal of Applied Communication Research, Women and
Language, Journal of Family Communication, and Western Journal of Communication. Her books include: From the
Margins to the Center: Contemporary Women and Political Communication (co-authored with Patricia Sullivan)
(Praeger, 1996), recipient of the 1997 Best Book Award from the Organization for the Study of Communication,
Language and Gender (OSCLG); Gender in Applied Communication Contexts (co-edited with Patrice Buzzanell and
Helen Sterk) (Sage, 2004); Introducing Communication Theory, 4th Ed. (2010) and Perspectives on Family
Communication, 3rd Ed. (2006) (both co-authored with Richard West) (McGraw-Hill), and The Family
Communication Sourcebook (co-edited with Richard West) (Sage, 2006). She serves on the editorial board of several
journals including: Journal of Family Communication, Communication Teacher, and Communication Studies. She
currently serves as the President of the National Communication Association (NCA). |
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An Interview of Dr. Patrice M. Buzzanell
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Author(s): Jingjing Z. Edmondson |
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Interviewee ’s Biosketch:
Patrice M. Buzzanell is Professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University. Her
research centers on leadership, work-life issues, and careers, particularly gendered careers and those associated with
science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Buzzanell has edited Rethinking Organizational and
Managerial Communication From Feminist Perspectives (2000), Gender in Applied Communication Contexts (with
H. Sterk and L.Turner) (2004), and Distinctive Qualities in Communication Research (with D. Carbaugh) (2010).
Author of over 100 articles and chapters, she also has edited Management Communication Quarterly and has been
President of the International Communication Association (ICA), Organization for the Study of Communication,
Language and Gender (OSCLG), and the Council of Communication Associations (CCA).
Buzzanell has received numerous teaching, research, and engagement awards, including the Violet Haas and
Helen Schleman Gold Medal Awards from Purdue, the Teacher-Mentor Award from OSCLG, and the Francine
Merritt Award from the National Communication Association (NCA) for work on behalf of women and students.
Buzzanell was recently named the W. Charles and Ann Redding Faculty Fellow (2008-2010) and the ICA Fellow
(2011) for her scholarship and service to the discipline.
She delivered NCA’s Carroll Arnold Distinguished Lecture (2010), Seduction and Sustainability: The Politics of
Feminist Communication and Career Scholarship. She has taught in Purdue’s Engineering Projects in Community
Service (EPICS) for over a decade and serves on Purdue’s NSF ADVANCE Leadership Team for institutional
change. |
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An Interview of Dr. Robert Shuter
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Author(s): Jingjing Z. Edmondson |
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Interviewee ’s Biosketch:
Dr. Shuter is Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Marquette University (USA), Director
and Founder of the Center for Intercultural New Media Research, and Chair of the International and Intercultural
Communication Division for the National Communication Association. A pioneer and leader in intercultural
communication studies, Dr. Shuter has written widely about communication and culture with more than 60 articles and
books published in leading journals including Journal of Social Psychology, Communication Monographs, Journal of
Communication, Journal of Applied Communication Research, Management Communication Quarterly, and Journal
of International and Intercultural Communication.. He has served on the editorial boards of many journals, including
Human Communication Research and Communication Monographs, and has recently completed editing a special
forum on new media across cultures for the Journal of International and Intercultural Communication. He is currently
editing a special issue on intercultural new media research for the Journal of Intercultural Communication Research. |
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