Summary for IMRAD study (Quantitative Research)

Name: Aidiel Harith Bin Ahmad Nizam

Class: Communication Research

Date: 16/2/2023

Article: Venting as Emotion Regulation

Jennifer D. Parlamis (2012), College of Business and Professional Studies, University of San
Francisco,
San Francisco, California, USA, Venting as Emotion Regulation, International Journal of Conflict
Management, Vol. 23 No. 1, 2012, pp. 77-96, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 1044-4068, DOI
10.1108/10444061211199322

Introduction

Variables and Definition of Variables:

Attribution appraisal of Reinforcing or reinterpreting response defined that controllable
attribution uncontrolled attribution could effect ones level of anger (p.83).

Level on anger refer to how venting and did not release anger producing greater anger (p.78).

Emotional Tone refer to people feeling better after venting and receiving a response (p.81).

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the emotion regulatory aspects of venting and
use an attribution appraisal framework to investigate the differential impact on anger and
emotional tone given a reinforcing or reinterpreting response.

Hypotheses/Research Questions
H1. Individuals will report positive emotional tone (they feel better) after venting.

H2. Individuals will report positive emotional tone (they feel better) after venting and receiving a
response.

H3. Responses that emphasize internal and controllable attributions for (reinforce) an offender’s
behavior will lead to greater anger than responses that emphasize external and uncontrollable
attributions for (reinterpret) an offender’s behavior.
H4. Responses that reinterpret (use external and uncontrollable attributions) an offender’s
behavior will lead to less anger than responses that reinforce (use internal and controllable
attributions) when the respondent is the offender only.

Methods

Subjects, sample or participants:

A total of 52 participants were recruited from several large introductory masters-level classes for
participation in the experiment. Ninety-nine percent of subjects answered demographic
questions. Of those responding 88 percent of the subjects were female and 12 percent were male.
The age of respondent ranged from 17 to over 40 years of age with 70 percent of participants
between ages 21 and 30.

List variables and measures for each

This experiment used stimulated recall of a conflict situation to elicit anger. A similar
anger-instigation/elicitation method has been shown to reliably produce anger in subjects (Murray and
Feshbach, 1978; Parlamis et al., 2010).

The independent variables (target of venting: offender or third party and response type: reinterpret or
reinforce) were manipulated and the dependent variables (anger and emotional tone – pre-response
and after response) were measured quantitatively (questionnaire).

This was a between-subjects design where subjects were randomly assigned to one of four conditions
defined by a 2 (target of venting: offender or third party) £ 2 (response type: reinterpret or reinforce)
design. Participants were assigned to conditions according to a blind procedure in which both the
participant and experimenter were not aware of the experimental condition

Procedures
The data for this study were obtained through a group administration format. Participation was
voluntary. The experimenter addressed the group of subjects collectively reading from a
prepared script. The research was said to be part of a large study investigating interpersonal
encounters and emotions. Subjects were given packets that included an anger recall task, a
venting task, a pre-response questionnaire, a response letter in a sealed envelope, and a post-
response questionnaire.

Results

Not Supported - H1. Individuals will report positive emotional tone (they feel better) after
venting.
Partially Supported - H2. Individuals will report positive emotional tone (they feel better) after
venting and receiving a response.

Supported - H3. Responses that emphasize internal and controllable attributions for (reinforce)
an offender’s behavior will lead to greater anger than responses that emphasize external and
uncontrollable attributions for (reinterpret) an offender’s behavior.

Supported - H4. Responses that reinterpret (use external and uncontrollable attributions) an
offender’s behavior will lead to less anger than responses that reinforce (use internal and
controllable attributions) when the respondent is the offender only.

Discussion

This research underscores the importance of attributions in the venting process, in particular, the
attributions used in responding to venting. Finally, this research shows that, the response types
(reinforcing or reinterpreting) as well as the identity of the target (offender or third party) are important
determinants of anger and emotional tone.

limitations of the study

First is the issue of live versus recalled anger. This study used a stimulated recall of an anger-provoking
event. IJCMA 23,1 90 While designing a study where participants feel real anger, as well as received real
responses, has its own difficulties, it would give greater control over the anger experience and may be
more realistic with greater generalizability.

Second, it is important to note that emotional tone was measured by one question. It was not measured
by a generally accepted scale and there were not multiple items measuring the construct. This is a
limitation of this research. To ensure greater construct validity, future studies should develop a scale, or
use a pre-existing measure, to assess emotional tone.

A third limitation pertains to the response letter manipulations. The letters were standardized to contain
two main elements: controllability (was the transgression controllable by the person and intended), and
internal causes (was this in the offender’s character or were they responsible for the transgression).
While all four responses contained these elements, the third party/reinforce condition, in particular,
could have been confounded by also containing language that validated and provided moral support to
the vent.

Future research
Further research should continue to investigate venting as an emotion regulation strategy and
assess the goals and expectations that individuals have when venting. It would also be valuable
to investigate other variables that might play moderating roles in the venting interaction such as
power and status or types of third parties (friend, mediator, therapist, HR representative). This
could offer some important practical recommendations for venting in interpersonal relationships
and emotional expression at work.
 Example
Summary for IMRAD study (Quantitative Research)

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Date:

Article: Miller-Ott, A. E., Kelly, L., & Duran, R.L. (2012). The effects of cell phone usage rules
on satisfaction in romantic relationships. Communication Quarterly, 60(1), 17-34. doi:
10.1080/01463373.2012.642263
Introduction

Variables andDefinition of Variables:

Relationship satisfaction refers to a positive feeling toward a partner or relationship (p. 20).

Cell phone rules include

Content rules refer to what can and cannot be talked about via cell phone

Timing rules when one can talk via cell phone

Frequency rules how often one can talk via cell phone

Cell phone satisfaction is conceptualized as a positive feeling toward the ways cell phones are
used in a relationship. (p. 20)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the importance of cell phone rules in
romantic relationships and whether these rules influence satisfaction in the relationship
and with the use of cell phones.

Hypotheses/Research Questions.

H1: Individuals rate cell phones as an important means of communication in their romantic
relationships.
H2: Satisfaction with cell phone usage is significantly and positively associated with relationship
satisfaction.

RQ1: How do types of cell phone rules (e.g., content rules or timing and frequency boundary
rules) affect cell phone satisfaction?

RQ2: How do types of cell phone rules (e.g., content rules or timing and frequency boundary
rules) affect relationship satisfaction?
Methods

Subjects, sample or participants- 227 undergraduate students from a small, private, Eastern
comprehensive university were recruited from upper and lower division communication courses.
Only students currently involved in a romantic relationship participated.

Measures

Relationship satisfaction was measured by the Relationship Satisfaction Scale (RSS). A 7-item,
5-point Likert scale. For example, “how satisfied are you with your relationship” with responses
ranging from 1 (unsatisfied) to 5 (extremely satisfied).

Cell phone rules was measured by the Cell Phone Rules Scale (CRPS) a Likert-type measure
that assesses cell phone rules. For example, “the extent to which you agree that the statement is
a rule about cell phone usage you have in your current romantic relationship.”

Cell phone satisfaction was measured by the Cell Phone Satisfaction Scale (CPSS)- an 11-item,
5-point Likert-type scale. For an example, “I am happy with the use of cell phones in our
relationship” with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

Procedures- Participants were asked to complete a three part survey. Survey 1 measured
demographic information. Survey 2 measured satisfaction with cell phone use. Survey 3
measured cell phone satisfaction and relationship satisfaction.

Results

Supported H1: Individuals rate cell phones as an important means of communication in their
romantic relationships.

Supported H2: Satisfaction with cell phone usage is significantly and positively associated with
relationship satisfaction.

RQ1: How do types of cell phone rules (e.g., content rules or timing and frequency boundary
rules) affect cell phone satisfaction?

-Rules about Relational Issues and Contact with others was related to cell phone satisfaction.
Specifically, the more rules you have about these two variables the more satisfied with cell
phone use.

RQ2: How do types of cell phone rules (e.g., content rules or timing and frequency boundary
rules) affect relationship satisfaction?
Rules about Monitoring Partner Usage, Relational Issues and Repetitive Contact were related to
romantic satisfaction. Specifically, the more rules you have about these three variables the more
satisfied with the romantic relationship.

Discussion

Discussion: Cell phones are an important means of communicating in relationships.

Additionally, cell phone use is positively associated with relational satisfaction. However, there
was only a modest effect of whether cell phone rules affect cell phone satisfaction and
relationship satisfaction.

Limitations of the study: A majority of the participants were women. There may be gender
differences regarding the importance of cell phone use among men and women.

The perception and influence of rules was based on only 1 partner’s perspective. Both partners
should be assessed.

There were problems with the CRPS scale. There were wording problems with the CRPS. The
use of the word “rules” could have affected the results. Participants didn’t want to call their
behaviors “rules”. Also, the scale did not have enough questions.

Future research: Researchers should investigate the content of cell conversations and texts of
romantic relationships.