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James Roberts

James Roberts is interested in the intersection of communication, emotion, and biology. His current research examines the impact of interpersonal communication on physical and mental health. Specifically, he focuses on the daily communication patterns and environments that potentially increase one's susceptibility to life-threatening diseases. Additionally, he has examined how individuals cognitively, affectively, and physiologically cope with stressful interactions. His research has been published in Western Journal of Communication, Southern Communication Journal, and Communication Research Reports.

James Roberts has been recognized for his outstanding research and teaching. He has received top-paper awards at regional and national conferences, and his research has been featured on WebMD and CBSNews.com. In addition, he has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. While attending the University of Texas, he was awarded the Jesse H. Jones Endowed Centennial Fellowship, Gray-Todaro Graduate Fellowship, and University Fellowship.

Frequently Taught Courses
Comm 3470 - Culture as Communication

Research interests
Communication of emotion
Family communication patterns
Communication in romantic relationships
Speech anxiety

Selected recent publications
Floyd, K., & Roberts, J. B. (in press). Principles of endocrine system measurement in communication research. In M. J. Beatty, K. Floyd, & J. C. McCroskey (Eds.), Biological dimensions of communication: Perspectives, methods and research. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.

Witt, P. L., Brown, K. C., Roberts, J. B., Weisel, J. J., Sawyer, C. R., & Behnke, R. R. (2006). Somatic anxiety patterns of student speakers before, during, and after giving a public speech. Southern Communication Journal, 71, 87-100.

Roberts, J. B., Finn, A. N., Harris, K. B., Sawyer, C. R., & Behnke, R. R. (2005). Public speaking state anxiety as a function of trait anxiety and reactivity mechanisms. Southern Communication Journal, 70, 161-167.

Roberts, J. B., Sawyer, C. R., Behnke, R. R. (2004). A neurological representation of speech anxiety: Mapping salivary cortisol levels of public speakers. Western Journal of Communication, 68, 219-231.

Roberts, J. B., Sawyer, C. R., & Behnke, R. R. (2002). Facets of Pavlovian temperament as correlates of communication apprehension. Communication Research Reports, 19, 156-166.

James Roberts

Assistant Professor

education: PhD Candidate, ABD, University of Texas at Austin
email: robertsjb@missouri.edu
office: 224 Switzler Hall
phone: 573-884-7448
focus area: Interpersonal Communication