WVU professor publishes book on argumentative, aggressive communication

Morgantown, WV, April 19, 2006: Dr. Theodore Avtgis, associate professor of communication studies in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University, has published a new textbook titled Argumentative and Aggressive Communication: Theory, Research, and Application.

The book, published by Sage Publications in April 2006, is co-authored by the University of Akron’s Andrew Rancer. It is the first text to describe the development, history, research, and application efforts on the communication traits of argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness.

The book is divided into three sections. Part I discusses the origin and structure of argumentative and aggressive communication; Part II explores the function of argumentative and aggressive communication in various contexts, such as family, interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, instructional, and mediated; Part III provides material on enhancing communicative outcomes through improved understanding of argumentative and aggressive communication processes.

“Our book is particularly interesting because it gives suggestions and strategies for handling destructive aggressive communication. We also provide instruction on how to argue constructively. People can use the information in the book to become stronger and more effective communicators,” said Avtgis.

Avtgis’s writing has been featured in several books and journals. He received his Ph.D. from Kent State University in 1999 and teaches communication studies classes at WVU in Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication and Quantitative Research Methods.

Argumentative and Aggressive Communication: Theory, Research, and Application is available through Sage Publications. For more information or to purchase the book, please visit http://www.sagepub.com/book.aspx?pid=11753&ptype=B.

Dr. Avtgis can be reached at (304) 293-3905 or Theodore.avtgis@mail.wvu.edu.

W-V-U