| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this research was to develop a conceptual
framework for understanding and describing the experience and
impact of being a regular listener to a radio talk show.
Grounded theory methodolgy was used for the research
because very little empirical work exists in the area, and
generation rather than verification of theory was the goal of
the research. Data for the research were tape recordings of 11
of the radio programs and transcripts of unstructured face-to
face interviews with seven regular listeners to the program,
"That's Living". These were analyzed paragraph by paragraph,
and e'ach meaning unit was categorized. When no new
categories were being identified, coding was halted. In all,
136 categories of meaning were coded, supported by a total of
925 examples of their occurrence. Categories were sorted into
themes and the themes were linked to form the basis of a
grounded conceptualization of the radio talk-show phenomenon.
The core categories distilled from the radio program
related to the sense of community and connectedness created
among listeners, the informing and teaching activities of the
hosts, and the facilitative and therapeutic strategies used by
the hosts. Listeners perceived the program as having value for
them, they perceived a sense of relationship with the hosts,
and they experienced a sense of belonging and community
among listeners to the program.
iv
The theory which emerged from the data suggests that the
program hosts create an environment where personal growth
and movement flourish because they establish themselves as
trustworthy, knowledgeable and caring. The hosts employ a
vast repertoire of teaching and facilitating skills. Listener
engagement is selective in that individuals are likely to
respond more vigorously to those messages, learnings, and
themes which are most relevant to them. | en_US |
