Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Some communication studies scholars have extolled the virtues of narrative ways of knowing, while denying that narrative is a form of argumentation (e.g., Bochner, 1994; Bruner, 1996, 2002a; Gergen & Gergen, 2006; Pellegrino, 1977). In response, the present article first builds the case that narrative is a form of argumentation. Next, suggestions are made for the development of narrative literacy skills to expose potentially fallacious reasoning and encourage critical consumption of narrative argumentation.

Publication Type: Paper (prepared oral presentation)
Abstract: What is forgiveness? Why is it an important concern for political psychology? How do differences in narratives affect forgiveness at the individual, group and systemic level? We define forgiveness as a willingness to relinquish resentment, blame and indifferent treatment of those who have committed unjust offenses against us or those we love, while simultaneously promoting pro-social sentiments and actions toward such individuals. In particular, we explore the psychology of forgiveness to understand what motivates individual victims to forgive political acts of terrorism. Drawing on insights from moral psychology, we ask about forgiveness and a subject's sense of self/identity, asking both how the actor’s identity and ethical perspective lead to a stance of revenge or forgiveness and, in turn, how this stance feeds back into the actor’s sense of self and identity. After a review of the literature, we suggest the outlines of a research agenda on forgiveness using case studies and interviews with 9/11 survivors and with friends and relatives of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Despite the strides made in social science research on narrative, a comprehensive understanding of the political work performed by narratives remains underdeveloped. This paper argues that a dialogic approach to narrative derived from the work of M.M. Bakhtin, which focuses on the production of narratives within their context, can illuminate the different types of political work that narratives can accomplish. I apply a comparative, dialogic analysis to two slave narratives that both discuss an incident of violence against a slave. Although the narratives describe a similar event, their portrayals of slavery are quite different because of the different contexts in which they were produced. One narrative, produced in conjunction with the abolitionist movement, serves as a piece of political propaganda that frames slavery in a uncompromisingly harsh light. The other narrative, taken from a WPA interview in the 1930s, represents a site of political conflict between blacks and whites during the Jim Crow Era. Thus, similar narratives can accomplish different political goals, depending on the context in which they enter.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This study investigated the relationships among transportation into narrative, content of narrative, thoughts about a specific television program, and compared two involvement scales.
Participants (176) were randomly assigned to watch one of three versions of CSI: Miami. The conditions were a control (the complete), a logic-disturbance condition (the program with scenes removed to interfere with the logic of the plot), and an emotional-disturbance condition (the program with scenes removed to interfere with emotional content of the story). Advertisements were removed from all programs. After viewing, participants completed a thought listing procedure and scales measuring transportation and telepresence.
Data indicate that disturbing the logical or emotional aspects of the plot had no negative effect on transportation or telepresence. The frequency of thoughts that were critical of the program’s narrative were negatively related to transportation and telepresence. Emotional thoughts about the narrative were positively related to transportation and telepresence.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Geogrpahic space is narrated alongside the narration of the citizen. Native people in Hawaii have been negotiated within the landscaping and mapping of Waikiki. Our place as 'feminized and dependent' is part of the exotic/erotic othering that tourism promotes. This paper addresses the relevancy of these topics for Hawaiians, so that identity can be examined in relation to these various narratives.