This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The seven titles deal with the following topics: (1) the effects of a seven-hour communication training program on participant utilization of six components of communication style; (2) communication skills and cognitive processes in productively reducing uncertainty in ambiguous instructional messages; (3) imitation of model speakers by students of speech in their own milieu; (4) the PSI-based and lecture-recitation formats of the basic course in speech communication; (5) reduction of oral communication apprehension in college students; (6) academic achievement and self-reports of communication skills in older undergraduates; and (7) instruction in teacher communication with parents offered within secondary school education programs at colleges and universities. (FL)