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ETD Abstract Container

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Is honesty the best policy? Honest but hurtful evaluative messages in romantic relationships

Zhang, Shuangyue
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1123853679

Abstract Details

2005, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Communication.
The present study examined honest but hurtful evaluative messages in romantic relationships. Specifically, this study investigated reasons why some honest evaluative messages were perceived hurtful, topics of the subjects in the messages, and message interpretations. Particularly, three motives underlying the messages were examined: perceived enhancement motives, perceived honesty/accuracy motives, and perceived intent to hurt. A message interpretation model was proposed and tested. Results indicated that perceived enhancement and honesty/accuracy motives were significant predictors of relational outcomes and perceived face threat of the messages. Perceived intent to hurt was associated with message hurtfulness, face threat, and negative relational outcomes. Face threat was found to be a mediating variable between motive factors and hurtfulness. In addition to the motive factors, the influence of personal characteristics such as personal beliefs about honesty in relationships and global self-esteem was also examined in the message interpretation processes. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.
Laura Stafford (Advisor)
138 p.
Speech Communication
hurtful messages; honesty; romantic relationship; face threat; honest but hurtful messages; perceived motives

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zhang, S. (2005). Is honesty the best policy? Honest but hurtful evaluative messages in romantic relationships [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1123853679

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zhang, Shuangyue. Is honesty the best policy? Honest but hurtful evaluative messages in romantic relationships. 2005. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1123853679.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zhang, Shuangyue. "Is honesty the best policy? Honest but hurtful evaluative messages in romantic relationships." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1123853679

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1123853679
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© 2005, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.