Nicholas Brody
Biographic Data
| ID | 97259 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Nicholas Brody |
| GIVEN NAMES | Nicholas |
| FAMILY NAME | Brody |
| SIGNATURE | BRODY N |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Puget Sound |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5824-3748 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 79 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 17 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Virtual Relational Curation: The Role of Attachment and Virtual Possession Management on Post-Breakup Adjustment
This study extends the Virtual Relational Memory model (VRM) to examine the intersection of communication technology, attachment orientation, and post-breakup adjustment. Prior research linked the retaining of virtual possessions to a decline in post-breakup adjustment, and this study investigates the role of avoidant and anxious attachment orientation. Using United States collegiate students, participants ( N = 357) completed an online questionn…
How will your relationship be remembered: Virtual relational curation following a breakup
The Relationship Dissolution Model (RDM) was used to analyze what and why virtual possessions people retain or delete after a romantic relationship breakup. Participants (N = 406) completed online open-ended survey questions to understand their decision-making process for retaining or deleting relationship possessions. Upon completing an emergent thematic analysis, findings showed that people retained and deleted virtual possessions for a variety…
The great reconnection: Examining motives for relational reconnection and investigating social penetration as a predictor of well-being
This study employs multiple methods to examine why individuals engage in relational reconnection and how self-disclosure during the re-initiation process relates to well-being during a time of acute stress. We apply Social Penetration Theory to examine individuals' motivation to reconnect with dormant contacts, which channels they selected, the extent to which partners engaged in various levels of self-disclosure during relational reconnection, a…
Meme sharing in relationships: The role of humor styles and functions
To better understand the role of memes in close relationships, this study synthesizes work on humor use in relationships (Hall, 2017), idiomatic communication (Hopper, et al., 1981) and memes as intergroup communication (Gal, 2019). Results from an online survey demonstrated that having a self-enhancing or self-defeating humor style was positively associated with meme usage in relationships, whereas having an affiliative humor style was negativel…
Virtual relationship memory: A conceptual model of mediated communication and relational dissolution
Virtual Relationship Memory (VRM) is a conceptual model to explore the way people remember and socially construct their romantic relationships, with a focus on the breakup process and memories after a relationship has ended. The model is situated within the research exploring relationships, technology, and memory. We articulate three components—objects, networks, and stories—which independently and concurrently represent how communication technol…
How concerns about former or future partners influence virtual possession management: Examining relational curation in the relational dissolution model
As relational partners document their romantic relationships in mediated contexts, they must manage virtual relational possessions to determine what should be kept or deleted, particularly following a breakup. Using the Relational Dissolution Model, this study examines keeping and deleting behaviors through the lens of a newly proposed process – relational curation. Collegiate participants (N = 234) who had experienced a breakup were recruited to…
Account-Making Following Relationship Dissolution: Exploring Sex as a Moderator in Public and Private Breakup Accounts
This study examines sex differences in emotion word use in retrospective private and public relationship dissolution accounts through two studies. Study 1 (n = 423) found men’s use of negative emotion words in private breakup accounts correlated with their use of negative emotion words in their public accounts; however, women’s emotion words in their private breakup accounts did not correlate with their use of emotion words in their public accoun…
Holding on and letting go: Memory, nostalgia, and effects of virtual possession management practices on post-breakup adjustment
When people end their relationships, they must choose which parts of the relationship to remember and forget as they prepare themselves for future partners. This memory process is complicated by the recordability and permanence of mediated messages because individuals must actively curate their virtual possessions-such as pictures with a previous partner or online relationship statuses. Using the relational dissolution model framework, this study…
Fluctuation in on‐again/off‐again romantic relationships: Foreboding or functional
This study explored how fluctuations in satisfaction and perceived partner commitment were associated with stability measures (e.g., commitment, perceived stability, relational uncertainty, turbulence) in both on‐again/off‐again and noncyclical relationships. Participants completed an initial survey, 8 weekly surveys, and a final survey. Results suggest fluctuation in perceived partner commitment across the weekly surveys was associated with all …
Social Networking Site Behaviors Across the Relational Lifespan: Measurement and Association With Relationship Escalation and De-escalation
This study examines (1) the factor structure of social networking site relational behaviors (SNSRB), (2) the association between the behaviors and relational quality and breakup adjustment, and (3) whether behaviors vary as a function of relational status. Participants' responses ( N = 363) indicated that the majority of variance in SNSRB was accounted for by 10 factors-surveillance, managing impressions through photographs, regulating usage, mai…
Friend support of dating relationships: Comparing relationship type, friend and partner perspectives
This study assessed the role of friends in dating relationships, comparing on–off and noncyclical relationships. Participants ( N = 460) reported on the friend most familiar with their current or recent dating relationship. We examined friend support of and influence on the dating relationship and the influence of the dating relationship on the friendship. Participants' friends ( N = 98) completed a similar survey to compare participants' and fri…
Bystander Intervention in Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying incidents often occur in the presence of other bystanders. The inaction of bystanders can augment the deleterious effects of bullying on a victim. However, bystanders can intervene to stop a cyberbullying incident or offer support to the victim. Two studies were conducted to examine variables that were expected to influence the propensity of a bystander to take action in cyberbullying incidents: the number of bystanders, the anonymi…
Reducing social pain: Sex differences in the impact of physical pain relievers
There is evidence that social pain or “hurt feelings” and physical pain share the same neural system. Although researchers have found that a physical pain reliever can reduce social pain, studies suggest that sex differences may influence these findings. Our results indicate that women who took ibuprofen felt less hurt or social pain when they were excluded from a game and when they relived a painful experience than did women who took a placebo. …
Navigating romantic relationships on Facebook: Extending the relationship dissolution model to social networking environments
The present study explores how people use social networking sites to adjust to breakups by studying their postdissolution behaviors. We apply Rollie and Duck’s (2006) relationship dissolution model by examining how collegiate Facebook users ( N = 208) enact behaviors in breakups to extend the model to online environments during and after breakups. Furthermore, we employed a retrospective design utilizing qualitative methods to define categories o…
The I's, We's, and She/He's of Breakups: Public and Private Pronoun Usage in Relationship Dissolution Accounts
People adjusting from couplehood to singlehood often engage in account creation in order to privately make sense of their relationship life and death, as well as publicly explain the changes to their social network. This study analyzes language style differences in retrospective private and public accounts of relationship breakups. We examined language use as it relates to the creation of accounts, breakup initiator status, and relationship disso…
A Dimensional Approach to Characterizing On-Again/Off-Again Romantic Relationships
To better characterize on-again/off-again (on-off) relationships, the current study examined variations in these relationships using a dimensional approach. Based on a five-typology of on-off relationships, corresponding dimensions were developed and assessed in relation to breakup and renewal negotiations as well as relational quality characteristics. Canonical correlation analyses with 299 participants currently or previously in an on-off relat…
Charting changes in commitment: Trajectories of on-again/off-again relationships
The present study examined how turning points reported by individuals in on-again/off-again (on-off) relationships reflected relationship trajectories. Participants ( N = 581) completed an online Retrospective Interview Technique asking them to report on up to 10 turning points. Participants indicated their commitment level at each turning point. Based on the variations in commitment across turning points, five trajectories emerged. Trajectory gr…
Bystander Intervention in Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying incidents often occur in the presence of other bystanders. The inaction of bystanders can augment the deleterious effects of bullying on a victim. However, bystanders can intervene to stop a cyberbullying incident or offer support to the victim. Two studies were conducted to examine variables that were expected to influence the propensity of a bystander to take action in cyberbullying incidents: the number of bystanders, the anonymi…
Navigating romantic relationships on Facebook: Extending the relationship dissolution model to social networking environments
The present study explores how people use social networking sites to adjust to breakups by studying their postdissolution behaviors. We apply Rollie and Duck’s (2006) relationship dissolution model by examining how collegiate Facebook users ( N = 208) enact behaviors in breakups to extend the model to online environments during and after breakups. Furthermore, we employed a retrospective design utilizing qualitative methods to define categories o…
Charting changes in commitment: Trajectories of on-again/off-again relationships
The present study examined how turning points reported by individuals in on-again/off-again (on-off) relationships reflected relationship trajectories. Participants ( N = 581) completed an online Retrospective Interview Technique asking them to report on up to 10 turning points. Participants indicated their commitment level at each turning point. Based on the variations in commitment across turning points, five trajectories emerged. Trajectory gr…
The I's, We's, and She/He's of Breakups: Public and Private Pronoun Usage in Relationship Dissolution Accounts
People adjusting from couplehood to singlehood often engage in account creation in order to privately make sense of their relationship life and death, as well as publicly explain the changes to their social network. This study analyzes language style differences in retrospective private and public accounts of relationship breakups. We examined language use as it relates to the creation of accounts, breakup initiator status, and relationship disso…
Holding on and letting go: Memory, nostalgia, and effects of virtual possession management practices on post-breakup adjustment
When people end their relationships, they must choose which parts of the relationship to remember and forget as they prepare themselves for future partners. This memory process is complicated by the recordability and permanence of mediated messages because individuals must actively curate their virtual possessions-such as pictures with a previous partner or online relationship statuses. Using the relational dissolution model framework, this study…
Social Networking Site Behaviors Across the Relational Lifespan: Measurement and Association With Relationship Escalation and De-escalation
This study examines (1) the factor structure of social networking site relational behaviors (SNSRB), (2) the association between the behaviors and relational quality and breakup adjustment, and (3) whether behaviors vary as a function of relational status. Participants' responses ( N = 363) indicated that the majority of variance in SNSRB was accounted for by 10 factors-surveillance, managing impressions through photographs, regulating usage, mai…
The great reconnection: Examining motives for relational reconnection and investigating social penetration as a predictor of well-being
This study employs multiple methods to examine why individuals engage in relational reconnection and how self-disclosure during the re-initiation process relates to well-being during a time of acute stress. We apply Social Penetration Theory to examine individuals' motivation to reconnect with dormant contacts, which channels they selected, the extent to which partners engaged in various levels of self-disclosure during relational reconnection, a…
Virtual relationship memory: A conceptual model of mediated communication and relational dissolution
Virtual Relationship Memory (VRM) is a conceptual model to explore the way people remember and socially construct their romantic relationships, with a focus on the breakup process and memories after a relationship has ended. The model is situated within the research exploring relationships, technology, and memory. We articulate three components—objects, networks, and stories—which independently and concurrently represent how communication technol…
Reducing social pain: Sex differences in the impact of physical pain relievers
There is evidence that social pain or “hurt feelings” and physical pain share the same neural system. Although researchers have found that a physical pain reliever can reduce social pain, studies suggest that sex differences may influence these findings. Our results indicate that women who took ibuprofen felt less hurt or social pain when they were excluded from a game and when they relived a painful experience than did women who took a placebo. …
A Dimensional Approach to Characterizing On-Again/Off-Again Romantic Relationships
To better characterize on-again/off-again (on-off) relationships, the current study examined variations in these relationships using a dimensional approach. Based on a five-typology of on-off relationships, corresponding dimensions were developed and assessed in relation to breakup and renewal negotiations as well as relational quality characteristics. Canonical correlation analyses with 299 participants currently or previously in an on-off relat…
A Dimensional Approach to Characterizing On-Again/Off-Again Romantic Relationships
To better characterize on-again/off-again (on-off) relationships, the current study examined variations in these relationships using a dimensional approach. Based on a five-typology of on-off relationships, corresponding dimensions were developed and assessed in relation to breakup and renewal negotiations as well as relational quality characteristics. Canonical correlation analyses with 299 participants currently or previously in an on-off relat…
Charting changes in commitment: Trajectories of on-again/off-again relationships
The present study examined how turning points reported by individuals in on-again/off-again (on-off) relationships reflected relationship trajectories. Participants ( N = 581) completed an online Retrospective Interview Technique asking them to report on up to 10 turning points. Participants indicated their commitment level at each turning point. Based on the variations in commitment across turning points, five trajectories emerged. Trajectory gr…
Reducing social pain: Sex differences in the impact of physical pain relievers
There is evidence that social pain or “hurt feelings” and physical pain share the same neural system. Although researchers have found that a physical pain reliever can reduce social pain, studies suggest that sex differences may influence these findings. Our results indicate that women who took ibuprofen felt less hurt or social pain when they were excluded from a game and when they relived a painful experience than did women who took a placebo. …
Navigating romantic relationships on Facebook: Extending the relationship dissolution model to social networking environments
The present study explores how people use social networking sites to adjust to breakups by studying their postdissolution behaviors. We apply Rollie and Duck’s (2006) relationship dissolution model by examining how collegiate Facebook users ( N = 208) enact behaviors in breakups to extend the model to online environments during and after breakups. Furthermore, we employed a retrospective design utilizing qualitative methods to define categories o…
The I's, We's, and She/He's of Breakups: Public and Private Pronoun Usage in Relationship Dissolution Accounts
People adjusting from couplehood to singlehood often engage in account creation in order to privately make sense of their relationship life and death, as well as publicly explain the changes to their social network. This study analyzes language style differences in retrospective private and public accounts of relationship breakups. We examined language use as it relates to the creation of accounts, breakup initiator status, and relationship disso…
Friend support of dating relationships: Comparing relationship type, friend and partner perspectives
This study assessed the role of friends in dating relationships, comparing on–off and noncyclical relationships. Participants ( N = 460) reported on the friend most familiar with their current or recent dating relationship. We examined friend support of and influence on the dating relationship and the influence of the dating relationship on the friendship. Participants' friends ( N = 98) completed a similar survey to compare participants' and fri…
Bystander Intervention in Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying incidents often occur in the presence of other bystanders. The inaction of bystanders can augment the deleterious effects of bullying on a victim. However, bystanders can intervene to stop a cyberbullying incident or offer support to the victim. Two studies were conducted to examine variables that were expected to influence the propensity of a bystander to take action in cyberbullying incidents: the number of bystanders, the anonymi…
Social Networking Site Behaviors Across the Relational Lifespan: Measurement and Association With Relationship Escalation and De-escalation
This study examines (1) the factor structure of social networking site relational behaviors (SNSRB), (2) the association between the behaviors and relational quality and breakup adjustment, and (3) whether behaviors vary as a function of relational status. Participants' responses ( N = 363) indicated that the majority of variance in SNSRB was accounted for by 10 factors-surveillance, managing impressions through photographs, regulating usage, mai…
Fluctuation in on‐again/off‐again romantic relationships: Foreboding or functional
This study explored how fluctuations in satisfaction and perceived partner commitment were associated with stability measures (e.g., commitment, perceived stability, relational uncertainty, turbulence) in both on‐again/off‐again and noncyclical relationships. Participants completed an initial survey, 8 weekly surveys, and a final survey. Results suggest fluctuation in perceived partner commitment across the weekly surveys was associated with all …
How concerns about former or future partners influence virtual possession management: Examining relational curation in the relational dissolution model
As relational partners document their romantic relationships in mediated contexts, they must manage virtual relational possessions to determine what should be kept or deleted, particularly following a breakup. Using the Relational Dissolution Model, this study examines keeping and deleting behaviors through the lens of a newly proposed process – relational curation. Collegiate participants (N = 234) who had experienced a breakup were recruited to…
Account-Making Following Relationship Dissolution: Exploring Sex as a Moderator in Public and Private Breakup Accounts
This study examines sex differences in emotion word use in retrospective private and public relationship dissolution accounts through two studies. Study 1 (n = 423) found men’s use of negative emotion words in private breakup accounts correlated with their use of negative emotion words in their public accounts; however, women’s emotion words in their private breakup accounts did not correlate with their use of emotion words in their public accoun…
Holding on and letting go: Memory, nostalgia, and effects of virtual possession management practices on post-breakup adjustment
When people end their relationships, they must choose which parts of the relationship to remember and forget as they prepare themselves for future partners. This memory process is complicated by the recordability and permanence of mediated messages because individuals must actively curate their virtual possessions-such as pictures with a previous partner or online relationship statuses. Using the relational dissolution model framework, this study…
Virtual relationship memory: A conceptual model of mediated communication and relational dissolution
Virtual Relationship Memory (VRM) is a conceptual model to explore the way people remember and socially construct their romantic relationships, with a focus on the breakup process and memories after a relationship has ended. The model is situated within the research exploring relationships, technology, and memory. We articulate three components—objects, networks, and stories—which independently and concurrently represent how communication technol…
Meme sharing in relationships: The role of humor styles and functions
To better understand the role of memes in close relationships, this study synthesizes work on humor use in relationships (Hall, 2017), idiomatic communication (Hopper, et al., 1981) and memes as intergroup communication (Gal, 2019). Results from an online survey demonstrated that having a self-enhancing or self-defeating humor style was positively associated with meme usage in relationships, whereas having an affiliative humor style was negativel…
How will your relationship be remembered: Virtual relational curation following a breakup
The Relationship Dissolution Model (RDM) was used to analyze what and why virtual possessions people retain or delete after a romantic relationship breakup. Participants (N = 406) completed online open-ended survey questions to understand their decision-making process for retaining or deleting relationship possessions. Upon completing an emergent thematic analysis, findings showed that people retained and deleted virtual possessions for a variety…
The great reconnection: Examining motives for relational reconnection and investigating social penetration as a predictor of well-being
This study employs multiple methods to examine why individuals engage in relational reconnection and how self-disclosure during the re-initiation process relates to well-being during a time of acute stress. We apply Social Penetration Theory to examine individuals' motivation to reconnect with dormant contacts, which channels they selected, the extent to which partners engaged in various levels of self-disclosure during relational reconnection, a…
Virtual Relational Curation: The Role of Attachment and Virtual Possession Management on Post-Breakup Adjustment
This study extends the Virtual Relational Memory model (VRM) to examine the intersection of communication technology, attachment orientation, and post-breakup adjustment. Prior research linked the retaining of virtual possessions to a decline in post-breakup adjustment, and this study investigates the role of avoidant and anxious attachment orientation. Using United States collegiate students, participants ( N = 357) completed an online questionn…
Psychology (16 works) · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics (13 works) · Social Psychology (13 works) · Social Psychology (8 works) · Computer Science (6 works) · Developmental psychology (6 works) · Breakup (4 works) · Romance (4 works) · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior (3 works) · Impact of Technology on Adolescents (3 works)