Japanese Journal of Communication Studies
Online ISSN : 2424-2063
Print ISSN : 2188-7721
Volume 44, Issue 2
Displaying 1-5 of 5 articles from this issue
Special Feature
Articles
  • Exploring How Rumination about a Romantic Relationship is Associated with Relational Uncertainty Using Dyadic Data
    Tatsuya IMAI, Tomo UMEMURA, Emiko TANIGUCHI, Anita L. VANGELISTI, Ren ...
    2016 Volume 44 Issue 2 Pages 135-150
    Published: March 31, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: January 16, 2017
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

    Abstract. This study examines relationship-specific rumination(RSR)as a key cognitive factor corresponding with relational uncertainty(RU)in romantic relationships to extend the relational uncertainty model(Knobloch, 2007). Actorpartner interdependence models were employed to investigate the impact of RSR not only on the ruminatorsʼ own uncertainty, but also on their partnerʼs uncertainty. One hundred and twenty dating couples completed self-report measures examining their relationship, self, and partner uncertainty as well as RSR. Results revealed that RSR was associated with the ruminatorsʼ own relationship and partner uncertainty as well as their partnerʼs relationship and self uncertainty. The discussion highlights the theoretical implications of these findings for extending the relational uncertainty model.

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  • Yukie BAN
    2016 Volume 44 Issue 2 Pages 151-164
    Published: March 31, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: January 16, 2017
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

    Abstract. Kyousei, literally“ symbiosis,” or, more figuratively,“ living together in harmony,” is a term that has been used with positive connotations in many contexts in contemporary Japanese society. In particular, phrases such as“ living together in harmony with the disabled,” or“ a society that lives together,” often associate kyousei with welfare for the disabled. This type of use of the word kyousei is also intended to convey a connotation of mutual understanding. However, careful consideration will reveal that hidden in the background of this term is a great ambiguity. That is to say, while on the one hand kyousei possesses a dissimilative tendency to accept differences and diversity, it also has an assimilative tendency to suppress differences and diversity. The purpose of this paper is to clarify circumstances surrounding information accessibility for the hearing disabled in the field of art and entertainment by focusing on the issue of accessibility, which is one of the supporting concepts of kyousei. The subject of study of this paper is the captioning of Japanese comedy performances, which presuppose the sharing of a social code. My analysis reveals that this captioning has problems in terms of both technology and content.

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  • Heidegger and the Quest for the Essence of the Ting/もの
    Fumi SAKATA
    2016 Volume 44 Issue 2 Pages 165-179
    Published: March 31, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: January 16, 2017
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

    Abstract. Situating Heideggerʼs two short essays on language and the thing as a theoretical guiding point, this paper proposes a study of Language Communication: a study of symbolic interaction that seeks in language, as opposed to humans, the point of its analytic inquiry. Thus the paper asks how and what language speaks by probing into the workings of language that manifest in various sites of communication. In particular, the analysis develops in two phases. The first part questions the way “misunderstandings” are often seen as a case of malfunction or a lack of communication competence on the part of the speakers. Focusing on the languageʼs speaking using Heidegger and a short story by Kuki Shuzo, the analysis points to the human-centric nature of this postulation. Then, the second half proceeds to dismantle Heideggerʼs ideas of“ presencing” and“ thinging” by way of engaging in the uniquely phenomenological dialogue with a piece on the Japanese word“ もの[the thing]” by Orikuchi Shinobu. Ultimately this paper suggests a quest for communication studies that goes beyond the corrective and punitive“ competence discourse” and further envisages an approach that allows for more ambiguity and playfulness.

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  • Case study on new product development
    Natsumi KATO, Yasushi MASUDA
    2016 Volume 44 Issue 2 Pages 181-204
    Published: March 31, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: January 16, 2017
    JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

    “Communities of practice,” wherein acquisitions of knowledge and skills are conducted through practice, are effective in knowledge creation activities such as new product development. A leader with excellent communication skills is considered to be important to form a community of practice. However, sometimes a community of practice is formed through bottom-up activities. In this case individual members motivate each other and lead from within to form a community of practice without depending on a person in a leadership role. We termed the mutual motivations by members rather than by leaders interfacilitation.” The objectives of this study are twofold. First, this paper aims to establish the concept of interfacilitation as a motivational management technique to encourage the formation of communities of practice in new product development. We incorporated motivational theories intrinsic motivation, flow theory, dialogue theory, and“ Katari=Antenarrative” theory)and Bakhtinʼs theory of carnival(squares, clowns, and strangers), which promotes the extraordinary to the development team. Second, this paper tries to use a case study to examine the effectiveness of interfacilitation. We applied the technique of interfacilitation to a development team and conducted research and analysis from a perspective of a researcher=practitioner. We confirmed the appearances of dialogues and“ katari,” which motivated members to practice intrinsically. Moreover, new practices and a new community were being formed. These results suggest that a community of practice emerged and that the interfacilitation functioned as a motivation management technique. Interfacilitation would be applicable not only to new product development but also to various organizations.

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