Personal Summary

Professor Yoshimura's research program focuses on how people communicate positive and negative emotional experiences in the context of their closest interpersonal relationships. His research is published in Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Personal Relationships, Communication Reports, and Communication Monographs, among numerous other journals. He is an award-winning teacher, with courses focusing on Research Methods, Communication and Health, Nonverbal Communication, and Communication in Personal Relationships. Dr. Yoshimura has previously chaired the Interpersonal Communication Divisions and Interest Groups of the International Communication Association (ICA), National Communication Association (NCA) and the Western States Communication Association (WSCA). He served as President of the Northwest Communication Association from 2019-2021.

Learn more about Dr. Yoshimura's research in the Communication and Social Well-Being Lab

Read the 2018 book on Communicating Revenge in Interpersonal Relationships -  Winner, 2020 Book Award, International Association for Relationship Research

Learn more about the Department of Communication Studies at University of Montana

Education

Arizona State University (Ph.D., 2002)

San Francisco State University (M.A., 1998)

Arizona State University (B.A., 1994)

Courses Taught

Nonverbal Communication (COMX 202)
Communication in Personal Relationships (COMX 414)
Communication Research Methods (COMX 460)
Social Interaction and Human Well-Being (COMX 485)
Graduate Seminar in Communication in Personal Relationships (COMX 510)

Teaching Experience

Courses Taught

COMX 414 - Communication in Personal Relationships
COMX 202 - Nonverbal Communication
COMX 241 - Persuasion
COMX 485 - Social Interaction and Human Well-Being
COMX 460 - Research Methods
COMX 491 - The Expression of Human Strengths and Virtues (Faculty-Led Study Abroad course)
COMX 510 - Seminar in Communication in Personal Relationships
COMX 511 - Seminar in Interpersonal Communication

Field of Study

Interpersonal communication, communication in personal relationships, emotions, communication and personal and relational well-being, 

Selected Publications

Yoshimura, S. M., Farley, D., Hofstetter, K., Loney, H., & Wichman, R. (2023). The Links Between Relationship Maintenance Strategies and Psychological Well-Being in the Context of Ambivalent Relationships. Northwest Journal of Communication, 53(1). 

Yoshimura, S. M. & Boon, S. D. (2022). Fantasies of Revenge: An Evolutionary and Individual Differences Account. Imagination, Cognition, and Personality, 42(4), 415-440. https://doi.org/10.1177/02762366221133322

Yoshimura, S. M., & Boon, S. D. (2018). The Communication of Revenge in Interpersonal Relationships. New York, NY: Lexington Press. 2020 Book Award: International Association for Relationship Research.

Boon, S. D. & Yoshimura, S. M. (Joint first author – order is alphabetical) (2020). Revenge as social interaction: Merging Social Psychological and Communication Perspectives on Revenge. Personality and Social Psychology Compass. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12554

Yoshimura, S. M., & Berzins, K. (2017). The role of gratitude expressions in social and personal well-being. Review of Communication, 17, 106-118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15358593.2017.1293836

Affiliations

International Assocation for Relationship Research

International Communication Association

National Communication Association

Northwest Communication Association

Specialized Skills

Survey design
Quantitative analyses

Professional Experience