Author: Elizabeth C Shallenberger

Hye Soo Nah, a doctoral student at the Institute of Communications Research, has had a paper accepted for publication in Computers in Human Behavior, a scholarly journal dedicated to examining the use of computers from a psychological perspective. 

Nah is the sole author of “The appeal of ‘real’ in parasocial interaction: The effect of self-disclosure on message acceptance via perceived authenticity and liking.” 

The paper addresses how people are influenced by “parasocial” interactions online, such as with YouTubers, TikTokers, Twitch streamers, etc. Nah found that speakers who self-disclosed while speaking (i.e., sharing personal information about themselves) were perceived as more authentic, likable, and therefore more persuasive. 

Abstract: This research demonstrates how a media performer’s self-disclosure in a parasocial interaction increases viewers’ likelihood to agree with the performer’s message. Two randomized experiments supported a serial multiple mediator model where a performer’s self-disclosure positively affected viewers’ message acceptance via increased perceptions of performer authenticity and feelings of interpersonal liking. In Study 1 (n = 415), participants were randomly assigned to watch a short video where the performer, a male college student, either engaged in self-disclosure or did not while presenting a prosocial, mental health-related message. Throughout both versions of the video (self-disclosure, no-disclosure), the performer gazed and spoke directly into the camera and addressed the viewer’s presence, thereby engaging in parasocial interaction. Study 2 (n = 520) was a close conceptual replication of Study 1 and provided additional support for the serial multiple mediator model.

Kirby Cook (MS ’21, advertising), a doctoral student at the Institute of Communications Research in the College of Media, won third place and a $200 award in the annual Image of Research competition, a multidisciplinary event celebrating the diversity and breadth of student research at UIUC. The graduate student edition of the competition is organized by the Scholarly Commons of the University Library and the Graduate College. 

Cook won for her image “The Identity Conflict: Lifelong Journey of a Korean Adoptee.”

“Art and qualitative research come together in this depiction of a lifelong identity journey for Korean adoptees,” Cook wrote in her description. “Beyond the boundaries of prescribed methods, data collection, and formulaic approaches, this collage represents the abstract complexities of research and what lies beyond charts and tables. How does one capture the essence of an individual’s personal history; their pain, their future? While my research focuses primarily on material items belonging to Korean adoptees and their meanings, I recognize that there is more behind their stories.”

View Cook’s full description and the other winning submissions.

Giang V. Pham, a doctoral student at the Institute of Communications Research who is graduating with the College of Media Class of 2022, has had a paper accepted for publication in the journal PLOS ONE.

Pham is the lead author of “Regretful pleasure: Toward an understanding of flow cost in media use.” Pham’s ICR advisor Brittany Duff, associate professor of advertising, is co-author.

The paper address the idea of “flow” states and how there can be negative sides to flow in media use. 

Abstract: “Flow (state of intense focus) during media use has been largely considered a desirable experience, with technologies developed to maximize the chance of encountering flow in computer-mediated environments. However, the total absorption of attention due to flow could be problematic in contexts where the user has multiple predetermined goals, and engaging with the flow-inducing media could cost them resources that may be otherwise devoted to other goals. When flow imposes a cost on the user’s goal performance, it may also reduce their post-experience gratification with the flow-inducing media. The present study proposes a novel theoretical framework to begin understanding the potential cost of flow in media use with supporting evidence from two survey and vignette studies (N = 235 and N = 245). Its findings will extend human-computer interaction research by highlighting the double-edged impact that flow might have on media users’ larger goal performance and downstream well-being.”

Kat Tian, a PhD student at the Institute of Communications Research (ICR), has accepted a data science internship at IBM’s New York office this summer. The position involves intensive hands-on-experience with data analysis across a variety of business cases. Senior data science interns will deploy machine-learning models built using various platforms and handle data at scale, and make recommendations for managers with real business impact. At the internship, she will work with large, untidy datasets and deliver business solutions supported by statistical research. 

In her doctoral program, Tian has been doing research on cross-cultural communication processes in the marketing and advertising context by applying big data analytics and machine learning techniques. At ICR, her advisors are advertising faculty members Mike Yao, the Sandage Department of Advertising interim head, and  Michelle Nelson, associate dean for research and creative endeavor.