Author Description

About the Author Em Griffin received his B.A. in political science from the University of Michigan, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication from Northwestern University. He is professor of communication at Wheaton College in Illinois, where he has taught for the past 26 years and has been chosen Teacher of the Year. His research interest centers on the development of close friendships. Dr. Griffin is the author of three applied communication books: The Mind Changers analyzes practical techniques of persuasion; Getting Together offers research-based suggestions for effective group leadership; and Making Friends describes the way that quality interpersonal communication can build close relationships. He also leads workshops on these topics in the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States. Glenn Sparks received his Ph.D. in communication arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is a professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University in Indiana, where he has taught for 28 years. His research focuses on the effects of media. Dr. Sparks is the author of Media Effects Research: A Basic Overview and a personal memoir, Rolling in Dough: Lessons I Learned in a Doughnut Shop; he is co-author of Refrigerator Rights: Our Crucial Need for Close Connection. Andrew Ledbetter received his M.A. and Ph.D. in communication studies from the University of Kansas. He is associate professor of communication studies at Texas Christian University. His research addresses how people use communication technology to maintain their interpersonal relationships. A related interest concerns how parent–child communication predicts health and well-being. Dr. Ledbetter has published more than 35 articles and received recognition for teaching excellence from both the National Communication Association and Central States Communication Association.