Cognitive tuning effects of anticipating communication on thought about an interpersonal conflict

Abstract

Anticipating communication is argued to have cognitive tuning effects such that individuals think descriptively and entertain a greater variety of thoughts when they anticipate receiving information, but think valuatively and avoid information searches when they perceive they will primarily convey rather than receive information in a forthcoming interaction. Reported thoughts about conflicts experienced by college students in roommate relationships were examined under three experimental conditions: (a) no anticipated communication, (b) anticipated communication with the roommate, and (c) anticipated communication with a friend other than the roommate. Results supported the hypothesized cognitive tuning effects of anticipating communication; however, the magnitude of these effects were not dependent on the anticipated communication partner as predicted.