Human Communication Research

01/10/2024

The latest issue (Vol 50, #4) of HCR is now published! You can find cutting edge research on persuasion, interpersonal and organizational communication, campaigns, and political communication at

A journal of the International Communication Association, Human Communication Research concentrates on presenting the best empirical work in the area of human communication.

23/09/2024

The new author guidelines for HCR have been updated on our website. You can check them out here: https://academic.oup.com/hcr/pages/General_Instructions. Here are some key updates:
1. We've increased the page limit for original studies from 30 to 35 pages. This page limit encompasses the abstract, public significance statement, keywords, main text, references, and endnotes, but excludes tables and figures.
2. We've updated our self-referencing policy. Authors no longer need to anonymize their self-citations. Instead, we encourage them to cite their own relevant work if it’s something others would also cite.
3. A new requirement has been added: the Public Significance Statement. This is designed to help bring the findings of our published studies to a broader audience.

04/09/2024

I’m truly honored to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief at Human Communication Research. It’s a big responsibility, and I’m grateful to Yariv Tsfati, Steven Wilson, Jonathan Cohen, and all the other past editors for their invaluable contributions to both HCR and the academic community. I’m also happy to introduce Mrs. Hee Jung Cho from Michigan State University, who will be the editorial assistant for HCR. I’m looking forward to working alongside our incredible associate editors—William Barley (USA), Andrew High (USA), Crystal Jiang (Hong Kong), Nuri Kim (South Korea), Diana Rieger (Germany), Sebastián Valenzuela (Chile), and Nathan Walter (USA)—as we continue to strengthen HCR's reputation as a leading journal in communication scholarship worldwide. More information about the editorial team can be found at https://academic.oup.com/hcr/pages/Editorial_Board.

02/09/2024

New publication alert:

Does viewing music videos by lead to meaningful emotions that can be leveraged for social good? New research reveals the answer. https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqae018

Abstract. Emerging research suggests that entertainment media consumption may elicit meaningful emotions that can be leveraged for social good. This study

02/09/2024

We are happy to welcome Tai-Quan “Winson” Peng (Ph.D, City University of Hong Kong, 2008) Professor of Communication at Michigan State University, USA as the new HCR Editor-in-Chief. Prof. Peng will serve as EIC for four years. His team started processing manuscripts on September 1st. The former team led by Steve Wilson and Yariv Tsfati will continue processing manuscripts initially submitted prior to September 1st. Professors Wilson and Tsfati are grateful to the former team -- Associate Editors William Barley, Bo Feng, Rebecca (Riva) Tukachinsky Forster, Jakob Jensen, Edson Tandoc, Catalina Toma and Sebastián Valenzuela to Consulting Editor Jonathan Cohen, to our Editorial Assistant Nancy Shekter-Porat and to all reviewers and authors for their dedicated work on the journal these past four years. It has been a great pleasure to serve ICA as co-EICs and we are confident that HCR will continue to thrive under Prof. Peng's leadership.

25/07/2024

New publication update!

New study by -jo & revisits Lavine et al. (2005) on how threats & right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) influence selective exposure to political info. Findings show no increased preference for attitude-consistent (dis)info.

Abstract. Over the decades, communication research has investigated the situational and personal conditions under which people particularly prefer attitude

17/07/2024

New publication alert!

New research by Shannon Cruz, Brian Manata (), Andy High (), and Tim Worley examines whether characteristics of influential people vary across cultures. Results from seven countries reveal notable similarities. Check it out:

Abstract. An important component of theoretical and applied work on social influence is identifying influential people. Boster et al.’s theoretical framewo

09/07/2024

New publication alert!

A meta-analytical review of the relationship, antecedents, and consequences of information seeking and information scanning
By Nehama Lewis, Emily A Andrews, Denali Keefe & Nathan Walter

A new meta-analysis by , Emily Andrews, Denali Keefe and Nathan Walter () describes antecedents and consequences of information seeking and scanning - Related but distinct behaviors, with different antecedents but similar effects.

Abstract. Prior studies have examined correlates of health information seeking and scanning separately, focusing on distinct theoretical frameworks, antece

02/07/2024

New publication alert:

Shu Scott Li, James Price Dillard & Youzhen Su. (2024). Campaign-induced interpersonal communication following exposure to strong and weak persuasive messages

Discover how drinkers of -sweetened beverages ( ) talk about persuasive media messages encouraging them to cut back. An experiment by , Dillard, & Su reveals that while strong anti-SSB messages often face criticism, analytical discussions could make a positive impact.

Abstract. Media campaigns can create change in their audiences directly via message exposure and indirectly via conversations about the campaign. An experi

30/06/2024

New publication alert!

David E Clementson, Wenqing Zhao & Michael J Beatty,

Atoning vs. evading when caught transgressing: two multi-theory-based experiments investigating strategies for politicians responding to scandal.

New experiments from researchers and
reveal why politicians should apologize or steal thunder in s*x scandals and hypocritical partisan scandals.

Abstract. Politicians tend to try deflecting scandals. Based on an attribution theory-driven perspective on persuasion, however, politicians should proacti

27/06/2024

The latest issue of HCR (Vol. 50. #3) has just been published. You can find cutting edge research that advances communication theories focused on personal relationships, organizational networks, provider-patient interaction, political communication and media effects.

A journal of the International Communication Association, Human Communication Research concentrates on presenting the best empirical work in the area of human communication.

27/06/2024

New publication alert!

What makes early career experience complicated? Woo & Acosta explore the in-betweenness early professionals face in settling at their jobs while planning future moves. They term this "dual socialization" and highlight its communicative implications.

Abstract. Early career professionals actively seek career advancement opportunities while undergoing socialization within their organizations. This study e

26/06/2024

New publication alert!

What happens when people are repeatedly exposed to different persuasive messages about distracted driving over time? An experiment from & suggests they get angrier, but they may not necessarily get more fatigued or reactant.

Abstract. Repeated exposure theories have articulated several processes that explain how message repetition shapes persuasion over time, yet these processe

26/06/2024

New publication alert!
Can testimonials encourage end-of-life conversations? A new study finds a testimonial outperforms a non-narrative on motivating conversations which are pro-attitudinal yet anxiety inducing. & Michael Slater

25/06/2024

Clarivate recently released data on journal impact factors for 2023. HCR’s impact factor (4.4) remains strong, with the journal not only being in Q1 but in the top 10% of communication journals based on impact factor. It is important to note that Clarivate has made several changes to the way impact factors are calculated in recent years (ratings for most journals are down), and also enlarged the group of journals in the “Communication” category by combining journals that had been listed in the Emerging Sources Citation Index along with those in the traditional Journal Citations Report (you’ll notice that there now 227 communication journals).

16/05/2024

New publication alert!

Emily Kubin and Christian van Sikorski, "The polarizing content warning: how the media can reduce affective polarization"

Ever wondered how media could bridge divides? and develop the Polarizing Content Warning based on inoculation theory. Across 5 studies (N=3,414) they show that such warnings reduce media users’ perceptions of societal ideological polarization, thereby reducing their affective polarization

Abstract. Past research suggests that journalists can (unintentionally) exacerbate affective polarization when reporting on growing levels of polarization

15/05/2024

New publication alert!

Sarah Lutz, Frank Schneider, and colleagues, "Fictional friends and enemies as first aid after ostracism? Experimentally investigating the potential of para-/orthosocial relationships in belongingness need restoration and emotion regulation "

🌟 Struggling with social exclusion? Research suggests thinking about real-life friends🤝 /enemies⚔️ OR (dis)liked media characters 🦸‍♀️ /👿 can boost your well-being! 💪 Dive into the power of (parasocial) relationships in overcoming adversity. https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqae009

Abstract. Being socially excluded seriously threatens individuals’ need to belong and emotional well-being. This article investigates to what extent differ

15/05/2024

New Publication Alert!

New study finds that more intense fact-checking labels (e.g., Fake) had null effects on messages’ perceived credibility and may reduce social media engagement, especially when attributed to AI. Time to rethink fact-checking labeling strategies? Dive into the insights from 33,755 labels analyzed across 7 U.S. organizations.

Abstract. Fact-checking labels have been widely accepted as an effective misinformation correction method. However, there is limited theoretical understand

30/04/2024

OUP has made the entire special issue entitled "Celebrating 50 years of Theory in Human Communication Research" open access during May 2024. Check out (for free) cutting-edge discussions about creating and advancing theory for understanding human-machine, political communication, persuasion, health communication, collective action/social transformation, and other areas of the communication discipline.

A journal of the International Communication Association, Human Communication Research concentrates on presenting the best empirical work in the area of human communication.

29/04/2024

New publication alert!

Network dynamics of civil society: a longitudinal study in Malaysia amidst changing political opportunity structures

Using two phases of network data gathered in Malaysia, Sommerfeldt et al explore the role of macro-level factors, specifically political opportunity structures, in shaping interorganizational network tie formation and persistence.

Abstract. This article explores the role of macro-level factors, specifically political opportunity structures (POS), in shaping interorganizational networ

05/04/2024

A new HCR study by , & examines online counteractions against hate speech as a form of civic participation and emphasizes the importance of Internet users’ personal political characteristics.

Abstract. Although many Internet users have encountered hate speech online, interventions against those incidents are unlikely. To learn more about online

04/04/2024

HCR's 50th Anniversary issue has been published! Big thanks to Mary Beth Oliver, Homero Gil de Zúñiga, and Tamara Afifi for their work as guest editors. The issue is entitled "Reflecting on 50 years of theory in Human Communication Research: where do we go from here." You'll find cutting-edge discussions of the role of theory in communication research, with applications to topics such as AI, persuasion, social justice, interpersonal relationships, media effects, and much more!

A journal of the International Communication Association, Human Communication Research concentrates on presenting the best empirical work in the area of human communication.

13/02/2024

New publication alert!
New Human Communication Research study shows that a majority of Republicans back vaccine mandates but may stay silent due to fear of backlash from vocal minority dominating online spaces.

Abstract. For many policy issues, people holding the majority opinion often do not act in accordance with their beliefs. While underestimating public opinion ap

22/01/2024

Special Issue Call for Papers: Communication and the Self

Guest Editors
Markus Appel, University of Würzburg
Amanda Holmstrom, Michigan State University

17/01/2024

Call for Extended Abstracts
Special issue of Human Communication Research:
Communication and the Self

Guest Editors

Markus Appel, University of Würzburg
Amanda Holmstrom, Michigan State University

The study of communication as it relates to the self boasts a rich scholarly history. Dating back over a century, this research encompasses a wide range of theories and concepts (e.g., social
identity, self-knowledge, self-disclosure, self-presentation) that describe and explain how individuals think, feel, and communicate about themselves. The rise of digital technologies, ranging from social media to virtual reality and artificial intelligence, has introduced new dimensions to the study of communication and the self. At the same time, communication researchers are faced with new challenges as family structures and societies continue to evolve.

Given the rich, yet often fragmented nature of the literature, it is a fitting time for a special issue dedicated to work that sheds light on the multifaceted ways in which communication both influences and reflects aspects of the self in online and offline contexts.
For this special issue, authors are invited to submit theoretically-informed proposals that enhance our insight and understanding of the study of communication as it relates to the self.

We encourage proposals focusing on a wide range of social, relational, cultural, and organizational contexts from various theoretical traditions. For instance, topics could include (but are not limited to) empirical inquiries or essays on (a) communication and the formation of cultural and social identities; (b) interpersonal interactions that contribute to the development and/or maintenance of the self-concept and/or self-esteem; (c) the role of culture in self-presentation; (d) stories and the self; (e) intersections between the self and social media/online interactions; (f) the role of the self in interactions in virtual realities, with AI, or with robots; and
g) self-related questions in applied settings (e.g., organizational communication; health communication). We encourage proposals from a variety of scholarly areas and welcome all methodological approaches.

Both empirical research reports and theoretical or conceptual essays are welcome. For the proposal, authors should submit an extended abstract no later than March 1, 2024. Extended abstracts should consist of no more than 1,000 words (not including references). For quantitative and qualitative empirical research papers, the extended abstract should highlight the theoretical rationale and focus of the proposed project as well as the manner in which the findings will contribute to the focus of the special issue. For theoretical or conceptual essays, the extended abstract should clearly state the topic of inquiry and elaborate on the conceptual, theoretical, and applied contribution of the proposed essay. After a review of the extended abstracts, selected authors will be invited to complete a final manuscript. Final manuscripts will undergo peer review.

Page limits and other parameters for the complete paper will be allocated at the time of invitation.

In addition to our emphasis on methodological pluralism and a variety of scholarly areas and contexts of inquiry, we also hope for submissions that reflect global experiences. Authors for whom
English is not a primary language are welcome to contact the guest editors to learn about programs and services to support research endeavors.

For questions, please contact the guest editors, Dr. Markus Appel ([email protected]) and Dr. Amanda Holmstrom ([email protected]). Proposal submissions (i.e., extended abstracts) should be submitted to the guest editors by March 1, 2024, via the following link: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dbgqedn16zAPN9s

The proposed timeline for the publication process is as follows:
3/1/2024: Deadline for abstract submission
4/1/2024: Notification to authors (i.e., in terms of who will be invited to submit full manuscripts)
7/1/2024: Deadline for full manuscript submission (for those authors whose abstract is accepted)
9/15/2024: Deadline for sending reviewer feedback/final decision to authors
11/15/2024: Deadline for revised/final manuscript submission by authors
1/31/2025: Final copy of special issue sent to OUP
4/5/2025: Special issue published online (vol. 51, issue #2)

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