James M. Honeycutt
Encyclopedia
James M. Honeycutt is a Professor of Communication Studies at the Louisiana State University
at Baton Rouge, internationally known for his work in relationship scripts
and daydreaming, particularly imagined interaction
conflict-linkage theory which explains why it is hard to forget old arguments and relational scripts for the development and maintenance of interpersonal relationships. Instead, conflict may fester within the human mind as people imagine retribution that may or may not occur. One of the common characteristics of imagined interactions is "discrepancy" where conversations that are imagined in the mind may be quite different from what actually happens in verbal discourse. For example, there is high discrepancy if you imagine that your boss will chastise you for being late in meeting a deadline; but then he/she tells you that they understand the delay because of other pending matters. Research has shown that discrepancy is associated with chronic loneliness and lack of satisfaction in interpersonal relationships.
Honeycutt received a Ph.D. in Communication with a complementary emphasis in social/clinical psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
in 1987. He has been the recipient of numerous research awards including the Distinguished Book of the Year in 2006 by the social cognition division of the National Communication Association
for his initial book on imagined interactions. He received his M.S. from Purdue University
in 1981 with a supplemental emphasis in social psychology and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin
with honors in 1979 with a B.S. degree. He is the author of several books on the subjects of relationships and imagined interactions. Honeycutt created the Matchbox Interaction Lab (the name was coined by students because some conflict discussions are measured) at LSU in 2007 where individuals, couples, and groups discuss a variety of topics, have their heart rates measured, and receive communication tips to enhance communication competence. Research reveals increased heart-rate variability among some people when imagining discussing sensitive issues with a relational partner.
Honeycutt teaches classes at LSU focusing on emotion and communication, interpersonal conflict, relationships, family dynamics, intercultural communication, emotions, and imagined interactions. He is a member of a number of social science journal editorial boards. Honeycutt has lectured throughout the U. S. and Thailand
to academic and business groups.
He is known for imagined interaction
(II) conflict-linkage theory which consists of three axioms and 9 theorems. The theory explains why it is hard to forget old arguments, let alone forgive those whom the arguments were with. Individuals can become caught in an absorbing state of resentment in these cases. It is based on the assumption that individuals ruminate about conflicts as they are exposed to daily reminders (e.g., songs, media messages, other people that remind us of the source of the conflict) of pent-up grievances. There a number of methods that help manage daily conflict including compensation
as individuals may not be in a position to enact revenge or retribution. Hence, they may feel catharsis
by imagining discrepant scenarios that relieve tension or anxiety.
Beginning with Volume 29 in the fall of 2009, Honeycutt is co-editor of the interdisciplinary journal Imagination, Cognition and Personality with Robert G. Kunzendorf of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell that is produced by Baywood Publishing. This pioneering journal explores uncharted scientific territory and creative research-based clinical interventions. Articles examine the stream of consciousness and the flow of human experience in relationship to human development and behavior, imagery and creativity, fantasy and imagination, brain structure and function, aesthetics and the humanities, and social and cultural influences. A variety of authorities examine the uses of imagery, fantasy and other resources of consciousness in psychotherapy, communication, relationships, behavior modification, hypnosis, medicine, education, and other applied fields.
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
at Baton Rouge, internationally known for his work in relationship scripts
Behavioral script
In the behaviorism approach to psychology, behavioral scripts are a sequence of expected behaviors for a given situation. For example, when an individual enters a restaurant they choose a table, order, wait, eat, pay the bill, and leave. People continually follow scripts which are acquired through...
and daydreaming, particularly imagined interaction
Imagined interaction
Imagined interactions are a type of social cognition and mental imagery grounded in symbolic interactionism in which individuals imagine conversations with significant others for a variety of purposes. The II construct has provided a beneficial mechanism for operationalizing the study of...
conflict-linkage theory which explains why it is hard to forget old arguments and relational scripts for the development and maintenance of interpersonal relationships. Instead, conflict may fester within the human mind as people imagine retribution that may or may not occur. One of the common characteristics of imagined interactions is "discrepancy" where conversations that are imagined in the mind may be quite different from what actually happens in verbal discourse. For example, there is high discrepancy if you imagine that your boss will chastise you for being late in meeting a deadline; but then he/she tells you that they understand the delay because of other pending matters. Research has shown that discrepancy is associated with chronic loneliness and lack of satisfaction in interpersonal relationships.
Honeycutt received a Ph.D. in Communication with a complementary emphasis in social/clinical psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
in 1987. He has been the recipient of numerous research awards including the Distinguished Book of the Year in 2006 by the social cognition division of the National Communication Association
National Communication Association
The National Communication Association is the largest national organization to promote communication scholarship and education. A non-profit organization that has over 8,000 educators, practitioners, and students who work and reside in every state and more than 20 countries...
for his initial book on imagined interactions. He received his M.S. from Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
in 1981 with a supplemental emphasis in social psychology and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
with honors in 1979 with a B.S. degree. He is the author of several books on the subjects of relationships and imagined interactions. Honeycutt created the Matchbox Interaction Lab (the name was coined by students because some conflict discussions are measured) at LSU in 2007 where individuals, couples, and groups discuss a variety of topics, have their heart rates measured, and receive communication tips to enhance communication competence. Research reveals increased heart-rate variability among some people when imagining discussing sensitive issues with a relational partner.
Honeycutt teaches classes at LSU focusing on emotion and communication, interpersonal conflict, relationships, family dynamics, intercultural communication, emotions, and imagined interactions. He is a member of a number of social science journal editorial boards. Honeycutt has lectured throughout the U. S. and Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
to academic and business groups.
He is known for imagined interaction
Imagined interaction
Imagined interactions are a type of social cognition and mental imagery grounded in symbolic interactionism in which individuals imagine conversations with significant others for a variety of purposes. The II construct has provided a beneficial mechanism for operationalizing the study of...
(II) conflict-linkage theory which consists of three axioms and 9 theorems. The theory explains why it is hard to forget old arguments, let alone forgive those whom the arguments were with. Individuals can become caught in an absorbing state of resentment in these cases. It is based on the assumption that individuals ruminate about conflicts as they are exposed to daily reminders (e.g., songs, media messages, other people that remind us of the source of the conflict) of pent-up grievances. There a number of methods that help manage daily conflict including compensation
Compensation (psychology)
In psychology, compensation is a strategy whereby one covers up, consciously or unconsciously, weaknesses, frustrations, desires, feelings of inadequacy or incompetence in one life area through the gratification or excellence in another area. Compensation can cover up either real or imagined...
as individuals may not be in a position to enact revenge or retribution. Hence, they may feel catharsis
Catharsis
Catharsis or katharsis is a Greek word meaning "cleansing" or "purging". It is derived from the verb καθαίρειν, kathairein, "to purify, purge," and it is related to the adjective καθαρός, katharos, "pure or clean."-Dramatic uses:...
by imagining discrepant scenarios that relieve tension or anxiety.
Beginning with Volume 29 in the fall of 2009, Honeycutt is co-editor of the interdisciplinary journal Imagination, Cognition and Personality with Robert G. Kunzendorf of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell that is produced by Baywood Publishing. This pioneering journal explores uncharted scientific territory and creative research-based clinical interventions. Articles examine the stream of consciousness and the flow of human experience in relationship to human development and behavior, imagery and creativity, fantasy and imagination, brain structure and function, aesthetics and the humanities, and social and cultural influences. A variety of authorities examine the uses of imagery, fantasy and other resources of consciousness in psychotherapy, communication, relationships, behavior modification, hypnosis, medicine, education, and other applied fields.