The impact of compulsive communicators on the self‐perceived competence of classroom peers: An investigation and test of instructional strategies

Abstract

Two studies assess the influence of student communication behavior on peer self‐evaluation in basic communication courses. Study 1 explores whether students who are compulsive communicators influence the self‐perceived communication competence of their peers. Results show that students in classes with compulsive communicators have significantly smaller gains in self‐perceived communication competence over the course of a semester than students in classes without compulsive communicators. Study 2 assesses the effects of implementing a cognitive learning strategies model of instruction on students’ self‐perceived communication competence. Results indicate that the cognitive learning strategies model eliminates the suppression effect found in course sections with compulsive communicators.

Keywords:

• compulsive communication
• self‐perceived communication competence
• classroom interaction