A comparative study of communication styles as a feature of home style among black and non-black United States representatives

This research examines home style of United States congressional representatives. It expands research on home style began by Richard Fenno in the 1970s, but focuses on behavior of representatives in the context of communication activities performed in the district, in Washington, through the mass media, and the non-verbal behavior of representatives. The study tests differences in communication style between black and non-black representatives, as well as among black representatives. It also identifies characteristics unique to black representatives and offers explanations for why their communication style is different from others. Data from this study show black representatives interact more frequently and in varied ways in majority black districts than in heterogeneous districts or majority white districts. Analysis of variance, t-tests, multiple regression, frequency tables, and cross-tabulations of the data were performed from interviews with 18 black and 14 non-black representatives. Results of these tests provided data for comparing type and frequency of constituent-related communication activities by race. Representatives in the sample have all been in Congress three or more years, long enough to develop a home style. Results of the study reveal racial homogeneity of districts, geographical location, and prior occupation of representatives contribute to variation in communication style. Among black representatives the undergraduate college attended was found statistically significant to communication style in the district, between Washington and the district, and level of involvement of representatives in the mass media. In terms of race, the data show if the race of the representative is black and the race of a majority of the district voters is also black, the communications style is significantly different from that of other representatives. Also, the communication style of representatives from the Far West is significantly different for building and maintaining constituent relations. This study is important because it identifies characteristics unique to black representation and expands Fenno's research by focusing on the communication behavior of representatives in describing home style.