Communication Building at the University of Arizona

Steve Rains

 

Welcome to my site. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Arizona. I earned my Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005.

 

My research is situated in the general areas of new communication technologies, social influence, and health communication. I am particularly interested in issues that intersect these domains. Two topics define my current work: First, much of my research examines the implications of new communication technologies for health communication. I have conducted studies investigating the role of the Internet in health information seeking as well as computer-mediated support groups. Second, I am interested in the communication processes involved in resisting persuasion attempts. My research in this area examines psychological reactance and responses to freedom-threatening messages. 

I teach classes on new communication technologies and persuasion. I also serve as the director of the undergraduate honors program in Communication and the advisor for Lambda Pi Eta.

 

 

 

Contact Information

Department of Communication

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona 85721-0025

srains[at]email.arizona.edu