Affectionate Communication in Close Relationships

Kory Floyd is Professor of Communication at the University of Arizona. His research focuses on the communication of affection in close relationships and its effects on stress and physiological functioning. He has written fifteen books and over 100 scientific papers and book chapters on the topics of affection, emotion, family communication, non-verbal behavior, and health. A former editor of Communication Monographs and the Journal of Family Communication, Floyd has won the Early Career Achievement award from the International Association for Relationship Research and the Charles H. Woolbert Award and the Bernard J. Brommel Award from the National Communication Association.

• 1. An introduction to affectionate communication; 2 Thinking about affection: the theories; 3. Encoding and measuring affectionate messages; 4. Predicting affectionate behavior; 5. Decoding and responding to affectionate messages; 6. Communicating affection in various relationships; 7. Affectionate communication and mental wellness; 8. Affectionate communication and physical health; 9. The dark side of affectionate communication; 10. Looking back and looking ahead.

'Understanding and expressing affectionate behaviors has, perhaps, never been more important. Kory Floyd is the long-time leader in affectionate communication research, and this significant volume uses his Affection Exchange Theory to anchor far-reaching and practical opportunities, benefits, and concerns about communicating affection.' Dawn O. Braithwaite, Willa Cather Professor and Chair, University of Nebraska, Lincoln