Patrick B. O'Sullivan, Department of Communication

Research

Program Overview

My scholarship focuses on the social aspects of communication technologies. In a nutshell, I am working to develop theoretical frameworks for why and how individuals select and use communication technologies (older low-tech and newer high-tech) for a range of social purposes and goals, as well as the outcomes associated with those uses. I am striving to embed the study of communication technologies more comprehensively in theories of communication.

I approach these issues from an empirical social science perspective using both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine interpersonal, relational, group, and intergroup issues related to mediated communication. My research has been working to integrate the mass and interpersonal communication areas. Re-examining the role of channel in the emerging world of digital communication means rethinking many of the assumptions that have guided, and separated, major areas of study in the communication discipline. Just as new information and communication systems are blurring traditional disciplinary boundaries at an applied level, I believe that scholars should strive to transcend those boundaries at a conceptual level to fully understand the implications of these innovations for society.

I consider all of my recent and current work to be "synthesis scholarship," with issues relating to the implications and consequences of mediated interactions in various contexts as the unifying theme. In sum, I seek to use scholarship on communication technologies to re-examine basic assumptions about communication (mediated or not), while bringing scholarship on non-mediated communication to bear on mediated interactions. My long-term goal is to develop theory that transcends level of analysis, and even specific channels, in building our understanding of mediated communication.

Publications

O'Sullivan, P. B., Hunt, S., & Lippert, L. (2004). Mediated immediacy: A language of affiliation in a technological age. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 23(4), 464-490. (full text)
O'Sullivan, P. B., & Flanagin, A. (2003). Reconceptualizing "flaming" and other problematic communication. New Media and Society 5(1), 69-94. (full text)

Selected Conference Papers

O'Sullivan, P. B. (2004, July) Channel as metacommunication: Message of the medium. Presented at the International Conference on Language and Social Psychology, State College, PA.
O'Sullivan, P. B., Hunt, S. K., Lippert, (2004, May). Forms and uses of mediated immediacy. Presented to the International Communication Association's annual conference, New Orleans.
O'Sullivan, P. B. (2003, May). Masspersonal communication: Communication technology and transcendent theoretical frameworks. Presented to the International Communication Association's annual conference, San Diego.

Whyte, A., O'Sullivan, P. B., & Hunt, S. (2003, May). Double strangeness: Anxiety and uncertainty in web-based instruction. Presented to the International Communication Association's annual conference, San Diego.
O'Sullivan, P. B., Hunt, S. K., Lippert, L. L. Owens, S., & Whyte, A. (2002, November). Forms and uses of mediated immediacy. Presented to the National Communication Association's annual conference, New Orleans. (Instructional Communication Division)
Rains, S., & O'Sullivan (2002, November). Moving beyond the message: Channel selection as metacommunication. Presented to the National Communication Association's annual conference, New Orleans. (Organizational Communication Division)
O'Sullivan, P. B., Hunt, S. K., Lippert, L. L. Owens, S., & Whyte, A. (2001). Mediated immediacy: Expressing affiliation at a distance. Presented at the National Communication Association's annual conference, Atlanta. (Ethnography Division)
O'Sullivan, P. B., Rains, S. A., & Grabb, J. (2001, May). Anonymity, deindividuation, and strategic channel use in personal relationships. Presented at the International Communication Association's annual conference, Washington DC. (Joint panel, Interpersonal Communication and Communication and Technology divisions)
O'Sullivan, P. B., & Flanagin, A. (2000, June). "Flaming" and other problematic messages: An interactional reconceptualization toward greater precision. Presented at the International Communication Association's annual conference, Acapulco. "Top 3 Paper" (Communication and Technology Division). (abstract)
Post, T., & O'Sullivan, P. B. (2000, June). Attachment style and communication channel preferences in long-distance romantic relationships. Presented at the International Communication Association's annual conference, Acapulco. (Interpersonal Communication Division).
O’Sullivan, P. B. (1999, November). Communication technologies in the classroom: Shaping the learning experience. Presented at the National Communication Association’s annual conference, Chicago. (Human Communication and Technology Commission).
O'Sullivan, P. B., & Levine, K. J. (1999, May). Mediated social support groups: A bona fide group perspective. Presented at the International Communication Association's annual conference, San Francisco. "Top 3 paper"
O'Sullivan, P. B., & Hoffner, C. A. (1998, November). Across the great divide: Melding mass and interpersonal theory through mediated relationships. Presented at the National Communication Association's annual conference, New York.
O'Sullivan, P. B. (1997, November). Information management and mediated communication: The "buffer effect" in close relationships. Presented at the Speech Communication Association's annual conference, Chicago.
O'Sullivan, P. B. (1997a, May). "What you don’t know won’t hurt ME": Impression management functions of communication channels in relationships. Presented at the International Communication Association's annual conference, Montreal. "Top 3 Paper"
O'Sullivan, P. B. (1997b, May). When "rich" channels are a poor choice:Information management and channel preference factors. Presented at the International Communication Association's annual conference, Montreal. "Top 3 Paper"
O'Sullivan, P. B. (1997, February). Impression management functions of communication technologies: The reality of "virtual" relationships. Paper presented at the Western Communication Association’s annual conference, Monterey, California.
O'Sullivan, P. B. (1996, November). An Information Management Model for the study of mediated communication: Interpersonal technology and self-presentation In personal relationships. Presented at the Speech Communication Association's annual conference, San Diego.
O'Sullivan, P. B. (1996, May). A match made in cyberspace: Interpersonal communication theory and interpersonal communication technology. Presented at the International Communication Association's annual conference, Chicago.