Tom Socha

Ph.D. in Communication Studies, University of Iowa, (1988)

M.A. in Communication, University of Illinois at Chicago, (1982)

B.A. in Communication, Loyola University Chicago, (1979)

Expertise

Research Interests

Family cell phone use in the US and China, positive communciation in relationships and groups across the lifespan, children's positive communication development, parent-child-socetal communication

Articles

Socha, T. (2012). In a Southern Minute: Messages, Mindfullness & Pie. Southern Communication Journal 77 , pp. 1-8.

Socha, T. (2001). Home, family and communication: The horizon through a wide lens. . Journal of Family Communication 1 , pp. 1-7.

Socha, T. (1998). Children learning the rules. [A review of Children learning the rules]. . Communication Education , pp. 91-92.

Socha, T. (1998). Developing an undergraduate teaching assistant program in communication: Values, curriculum and preliminary assessment. . Journal of the Association for Communication Administration 27 , pp. 77-83.

Socha, T. (1997). Advertising and children. [A review of Harvesting Minds: Advertising and Channel One schools]. . Journal of Popular Film and Television 25 , pp. 139-140.

Socha, T. (1997). Focus on humor. [Review of Blind men, elephants, and humor]. . Communication Booknotes 29 , pp. 23.

Socha, T. (1997). Widening the lens on adolescents' relationships. [Review of Adolescents' Personal Relationships]. Contemporary Psychology 42 (5) , pp. 432-434.

Socha, T. (1996). TV, Film, and Families. [Review of Living room lectures: The fifties family in film and television]. . Journal of Popular Film and Television 24 , pp. 46.

Socha, T. (1994). A look at humor. [Review of Conversational joking]. . Contemporary Psychology 30 , pp. 296.

Socha, T. and Kelly, B. (1994). Children making fun: Humorous communication, impression management, and moral development. . Child Study Journal 24 , pp. 237-252.

Socha, T. (1985). The Paideia Proposal. Implications and challenges for communication instruction.. Iowa Journal of Speech Communication 17 (1) , pp. 35-44.

Books

Beck, G. and Socha, T. Lifespan Communication, Hope & Resiliance. Pater Lang International.

Pitts, M. J. and Socha, T. (2012). Positive Communication in Helath and Wellness. Peter Lang International Publishers.

Socha, T. and Yingling, J. (2010). Families Communicating with Children. Polity.

Socha, T. and Pitts, M. J. The Positive Side of Interpersonal Communication. Peter Lang.

Socha, T. and Stamp, G. (2009). Parents and children communcating with society. Routledge.

Socha, T. and Diggs, R. H.. (1999). Communication, race, and family: Explorations of communication in Black, White, and Bi-Racial families. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Socha, T. and Stamps, G. H.. (1995). Parents, children, and communication: Frontiers of theory and research. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Book Chapters

Socha, T. and Pitts, M. J. (2012). Apples and Positive Messages,: Towards Healthy Communication Habits & Wellness Positive Communication in Helath & Wellnes (pp. 299-304) New York: Peter lang International.

Pitts, M. J. and Socha, T. (2012). Positive Communication in Creating Healthy Lives, Helathy Relatinships, and Healthy Institutiuons Positive Communication in Health & Wellness New York: Peter Lang Internatiional.

Socha, T. (2012). Humorous communciation and children's social-cognitive development Humor: Theory, Impact, Outcomes Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt.

Socha, T. and Pitts, M. J. (2012). Coda: Positive Interpersonal Communication at child's play The Positive Side of Interpersonal Communication New York: Peter lang International.

Socha, T. (2006). Orchestrating and directing domestic potential through communication: Towards a Positive Reframing of “Discipline.” (pp. 219-236) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Socha, T. (2004). Communication, families, and exploring the boundaries of cultural diversity. (pp. 249-266) Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Socha, T. (2002). Towards good global warming: Improvements in Inter-racial communication climate in Departments of Communication. Washington, DC: American Association for Higher Education.

Socha, T. (2000). Using behavioral similarities to stimulate family conversation. NJ/DE: Kendall-Hunt .

Socha, T. and Diggs, R. H.. (1999). At the crossroads of communication, race, and family: Theory and research. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Socha, T. and Biegle, J. (1999). Improving life at the crossroads: Family communication education and multi-cultural competence. (pp. 209-227) Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Socha, T. (1997). Group communication across the life span (pp. 3-28) Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

Socha, T. and Stamp, G. (1995). Expanding the conceptual frontier: Studying parents, children, & communication. (pp. iv-xvii) Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Socha, T., Sanchez-Hucles, J., Bromley, J. and Kelley, B. (1995). Invisible parents and children: Exploring African American parent-child communication. (pp. 127-145) Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Socha, T. and Socha, D. M.. (1994). Children's task group communication: Did we learn it all in kindergarten? (pp. 227-246) Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Socha, T. (1991). Conversation analysis. (pp. 216-224) Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Conference Proceeding

Socha, T., Sanchez-Hucles, J. and Bromley, J. (1995). Cultural parent-child communication: A conceptual model and look at African-Americans [Abstract]. Williamsburg, VA: Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Personal Relationships.

Socha, T. (1991). The parental guilt episode: Daughters' and sons' orientations [Abstract]. Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.: Proceedings of the Third International Network Conference on Personal Relationships.

Cooper, V. W.. and Socha, T. (1990). Deceptive communication in personal relationships [Abstract]. Proceedings of the International Conference on Personal Relationships.

Presentations

Socha, T. ( ). Building positive communication pedagogy: Positive experiential learning in human relating National Communication Association Annual Meeting San Diego, CA.

Socha, T. (April , 2007). A positive approach to studying the communication of blind parents Research Expo 2007 Norfolk, VA.

Socha, T. (April , 2007). Toward positive communication ontology: The variable of hope in research and classroom Southern States Communication Association Annual Meeting Louisville, Kentucky.

Socha, T. (November , 2006). Communication and hope 2005 Hope at Luther Conference San Antonio, TX.

Socha, T. and Basden-Arnold, L. (November , 2006). Disabilities and the family communication classroom: A positive approach to managing conceptual, theoretical and applied obstacles National Communication Association Annual Meeting San Antonio, TX.

Socha, T. (April , 2006). Towards a positive ontology of applied family communication theory and research Southern States Communication Association Annual Meeting Dallas, TX.

Socha, T. (November , 2005). Family as agency of potential: Towards a positive ontology of family communication National Communication Association Annual Meeting Boston, MA.

Socha, T. and Staten, C. (November , 2005). Parenting by sound, touch, and scent I: Towards a positive research agenda National Communication Association Annual Meeting Boston, MA.

Socha, T. (April , 2005). Chances for dialogue—Creating and enhancing applied dialogue in families A roundtable presentation, Southern States Communication Association Baton Rouge, LA.

Socha, T. (April , 2005). Family as agency of potential: A turn towards positive theorizing Applied Communication Division of the Southern States Communication Association Baton Rouge, LA.

Socha, T. (April , 2005). Communication’s role in family “problems”: Towards positive applied family communication research Old Dominion University Research Day Norfolk, VA.

Socha, T. and COMM 302 Students (April , 2005). Students’ perceptions and concerns about communicating instructor and course feedback online Baton Rouge, LA.

Socha, T. ( 2003). Towards an integrative model addressing the question “Interpersonal versus group” in approaching the study of families Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association Miami, FL.

Diggs, R. C.. and Socha, T. ( 2003). The boundaries of diversity National Communication Association Annual Meeting Miami, FL.

Socha, T. ( 2003). Comments on epistemology and editing JFC Pre-conference, “Facing our epistemologies: Reaching In to encourage multiple foundations for studying relationships and interaction” Miami, FL.

Staten, C. D.. and Socha, T. (November , 2002). Flying blind: Learning to pilot an introductory communication class as a blind undergraduate teaching assistant Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association New Orleans, LA.

Socha, T. (November , 2002). Developing a foundation for the castle: Towards a national research scaffold for Family Communication: A proposal Family Communication Pre-Conference New Orleans, LA.

Socha, T. (November , 2002). Publishing journal articles in family communication Family Communication Pre-conference New Orleans, LA.

Socha, T. (April , 2002). Teaching communication research methods via satellite: Reflections on the transition into cyberspace (1996 and 2000) Southern States Communication Association Annual Meeting Winston-Salem, NC.

Yingling, J. T.. and Socha, T. (November , 2001). Children are family communicators too Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association Atlanta, GA.

Socha, T. (June , 2001). Teaching communication research methods via satellite: Reflections on the transition into Cyberspace (1996 and 2000) Summer Conference of the National Communication Association Washington, DC.

Socha, T. ( 2000). Children's communication and school violence: Towards a conceptual model Southern States Communication Association Annual Meeting New Orleans, LA.

Socha, T. (November , 2000). Toward improving the status of children in the field of communication: How has Communication Studies viewed children? Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association Seattle, WA.

Socha, T. (May , 2000). Virginia Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired College Awareness Program Richmond, VA.

Socha, T. and Beigle, J. (November , 1999). Family communication-education and race Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association Chicago, IL.

Socha, T. (April , 1999). Ethnic diversity and the role of family communication in moving toward cultural pluralism in the future Joint meeting of the Southern States Communication Association and the Central States Communication Association St. Louis, MO.

Socha, T. (November , 1998). Family communication: An early training ground for later groups National Communication Association Annual Meeting New York, NY.

Socha, T. (November , 1997). Group hate across the life span National Communication Association Annual Meeting Chicago, IL.

Socha, T. (November , 1997). Research methods retrospective: Lessons learned lived and via satellite. National Communication Association Annual Meeting Chicago, IL.

Socha, T. (September , 1997). Old Dominion's undergraduate teaching assistant program: Preparing future GTA's Virginia Association of Communication Arts & Sciences Annual Meeting Richmond, VA.

Socha, T. and Stamp, G. H.. (November , 1996). Methodological border issues in the study of personal relationships Speech Communication Association Annual Meeting San Diego, CA.

Socha, T. (November , 1996). Overview and progress on family communication & culture project: Works-in-progress panel Speech Communication Association Annual Meeting San Diego, CA.

Socha, T. (September , 1996). Teaching communication research methods via satellite Virginia Association of Communication Arts & Sciences Annual Meeting Williamsburg, VA.

Socha, T. (March , 1996). Interpersonal communication USA 2032: A reexamination of Carl Rogers' Vision of the future Southern States Communication Association Annual Meeting Memphis, TN.

Socha, T. (March , 1996). Overview and preliminary assessment of an undergraduate teaching assistant program in communication Southern States Communication Association Annual Meeting Memphis, TN.

Socha, T. (November , 1995). Family communication education and African-American families: A selected primer Family Communication Pre-conference San Antonio, TX.

Socha, T., Sanchez-Hucles, J. and Bromley, J. (June , 1995). Cultural parent-child communication: A conceptual model and look at African-Americans The Fifth International Personal Relationships Network Conference Williamsburg, VA.

Socha, T. (April , 1995). African-American parent-child communication: A discussion of methods Southern States Communication Association Annual Meeting New Orleans, LA.

Socha, T. (November , 1994). Conceptualizing humorous communication: Old problems and new directions Speech Communication Association Annual Meeting New Orleans, LA.

Socha, T. and Joe, S. ( 1993). Communication and Gender issues in Women's Health Conference on Women's Health Hampton, VA.

Socha, T. and Socha, D. M.. (May , 1993). Children's task group communication: Did we learn it all in kindergarten? International Communication Association Annual Meeting Washington, DC.

Socha, T. (November , 1992). Humor message production: Conceptualizations, approaches, alternatives Seminar Series on Humor and Communication Chicago, IL.

Socha, T. (November , 1991). The parental guilt episode: Exploring parents' messages Speech Communication Association Annual Meeting Atlanta, GA.

Cooper, V. W.. and Socha, T. (May , 1991). Relational counter-intelligence: The communicative disguise of a Soviet spy International Communication Association Annual Meeting Chicago, IL.

Socha, T. (May , 1991). The parental guilt episode: Daughters' and sons' orientations Third International Personal Relationships Network Conference Bloomington-Normal, IL.

Socha, T. and Cooper, V. W.. (July , 1990). Deception in personal relationships: Disguising self in everyday life International Conference on Personal Relationships England.

Socha, T. (June , 1990). Wives, husbands, communication, & equality: An investigation of decision topic control and decision conversation control among married couples International Communication Association Annual Meeting Dublin.

Socha, T. and Murphy, B. A.. (April , 1990). Symbolic convergence theory, communication and communal living groups: An exploratory study Central States Communication Association Conference Detroit, Michigan.

Socha, T. (May , 1987). Telling teacher a joke: A conversation analytic study of children communicating humor International Communication Association Annual Meeting Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Socha, T. (November , 1985). Adding Glamour to theory: Experiencing theory in the interpersonal communication course Speech Communication Association Annual Meeting Denver.

Socha, T. (May , 1984). The Paideia Proposal: Implications and challenges for communication instruction Iowa Communication Association Annual Meeting Newton, Iowa.

Socha, T. and Dawes, D. A.. (May , 1982). The 80s a heroic age: An assessment of the heroes and heroines of youth Iowa Communication Association Annual Meeting Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

• 2016: Joel S. Lewis Faculty Award for Excellence in Student Mentoring, ODU College of Arts & Letters
• 2015: Shining Star Award, ODU Student Services
• 2014: 2014 SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award Nominee, SCHEV
• 2013: 2013 SCHEV Award Nominee, SCHEV
• 2012: Certificate of Merit, National Association of Academic Advisors
• 2012: ODU Faculty Advisor of the Year, Old Dominion University
• 2012: Excellence in Faculty Advising Annual Award, National Academic Advising Association - Region 2
• 2009: Nominee for the Family Communication Division Annual Book Award, National Communication Association
• 2008: Top Paper Award, NCA Experiential Learning in Communication Division 30th Anniversary , National Communication Association
• 2005: Who’s Who among American Teachers ,
• 2004: Old Dominion University Inspirational Faculty Member Award , Old Dominion University
• 2003: Bernard J. Brommel Family Communication Award, National Communication Association
• 2002: Distinguished Faculty Achievement Certificate, State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV)
• 2002: Nominee, State Council for Higher Education in Virginia's (SCHEV) Outstanding Faculty Award, State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV)
• 1999: Nominee, State Council for Higher Education in Virginia's (SCHEV) Outstanding Faculty Award, State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV)
• 1998: University Professor, Old Dominion University
• 1997: Old Dominion University Inspirational Faculty Award , Old Dominion University
• 1996: Honorary Member, Golden Key National Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society
• 1995: Nominee. Donald H. Eckroyd Award for Excellence in Higher Education, National Communication Association
• 1993: Robert L. Stern Award for Excellence in Teaching, College of Arts & Letters, Old Dominion University
• 1991: Top Paper Award, Family Communication Division, Speech Communication Association
• 1990: Designated a "Most Effective Teacher" , Loyola University Chicago- College of Arts & Sciences
• 1990: Top Three Paper- Interpersonal Communication, International Communication Association