Topic/theory: This article is about the relationship between self-construal and verbal promotion. Although not specifically defined in the paper, self-construal is the intrapersonal communication in which individuals, in this case American college students, relate themselves to being connected to or separate from others. One theory suggests that an individual who has a strong interdependent self-construal will verbally promote others when attempting to appear competent. On the other hand, the second theory suggests that an individual who has a strong independent self-construal will verbally promote the self. Therefore, Ellis and Wittenbaum "aimed to link self-construal with observed communication behavior in an interactive setting."(Pg. 3)
             Research Question: Through research Ellis and Wittenbaum found "that the higher one's independent self-construal, the more likely the individual is to desire achievement beyond others to enhance self-esteem. The higher one's interdependent self-construal the more likely the individual is to seek achievement for the purpose of pleasing and acknowledging others."(Pg. 3) From this, Ellis and Wittenbaum formed the question that would be the basis for their study: "What positive image of the achieving self do individuals strategically choose to present to an evaluator, depending on their self-construals?"(Pg.3)
             Methods: Three methods were used in gathering the appropriate information. The first method was a survey: Kim and Leung's (1997) 29-item revised Self-Construal Scale was administered to 196 students enrolled in communication classes at a large Midwestern university in the United States. The scale contained two dimensions: independence and interdependence. The students were asked to rate each statement from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Those with extreme scores in either direction were asked to participate in the second part of the st...