Communication-health link
to be explored during forum
Sept. 18, 2009 Contacts for Media Representatives:
Jerry Porter
jerry.porter@gcmail.maricopa.edu 623.845.3605
Patricia Rhodes Vogel
pr.vogel@gcmail.maricopa.edu 623.845.3014
The connection between affectionate communication and health will be explored by Dr. Kory Floyd when the Glendale Community College (GCC) Speakers Forum series continues at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Room 142 of the Math building on the college's main campus.
GCC's Math building is located near the center of the campus at 59th and Olive avenues in Glendale. The forum is free and open to the public.
Dr. Floyd is professor and associate chair of human communication at Arizona State University (ASU) where he is director of the ASU Communication Sciences Laboratory.
His research focuses on the communication of affection in personal relationships and on the interplay between communication, physiology and health. He has studied affectionate communication in a host of family relationships as well as between romantic partners, friends and new acquaintances.
Dr. Floyd's work in the ASU Communication Sciences Laboratory has demonstrated how affectionate behavior can alter stress hormones, lower blood glucose, reduce lipids and improve immune-system parameters. Among his projects has been an investigation funded by the National Institutes of Health on the role of the hormone oxytocin in the stress-alleviating effects of affectionate communication.
He has written or edited nine books and more than 75 journal articles and book chapters. Additionally, Dr. Floyd is past chair of the family communication division of the National Communication Association and immediate past editor of Journal of Family Communication.
Dr. Floyd earned his undergraduate degree in English literature from Western Washington University, a master of arts degree in speech communication from the University of Washington and his doctorate in communication from the University of Arizona.
He is the second of seven speakers being featured as part of the GCC Speakers Forum, which is free and open to the public. A different speaker will present each month through April on topics ranging from communication and health to politics, performance and art.
Questions about the forum can be directed to faculty member Kirt Shineman at kirt.shineman@gcmail.maricopa.edu or by calling 623.845.3653.
GCC offers classes at its main campus, the North campus at 5757 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix, and the Communiversity @ Surprise, 15950 W. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise. Information about the college is available online at http://www.gccaz.edu or by calling 623.845.3000.
