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"Is This Supposed to Happen?": The Interplay of Uncertainty and Memorable Messages in Formative Sex Discussions
Haley Nolan-Cody1, Braidyn Lazenby2
1Department of Communication, John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences, Fairfield University.
Abstract:
This study explores the interplay between uncertainty and memorable messages (MM) in formative sex discussions. Utilizing the theory of memorable messages (ToMM) and Brashers' uncertainty, we analyzed interviews with 22 young adults to identify memorable message types, sources of uncertainty, and their co-occurrence(s). We identified (a) five types of uncertainty across two main themes of context and content uncertainty, (b) five memorable message types, and (c) four co-occurring relationships and one inverse relationship between uncertainty and memorable messages. Our study advances the ToMM by (a) illuminating a potential relationship between uncertainty and MMs, (b) exploring how message gaps might play a role in uncertainty, and (c) discussing the potential for memorable messages to strategically reduce uncertainty.
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