title: Greeting Cards as Data on Social Processes.
abstract: The choices that individuals make when purchasing greeting cards influence what designs and sentiments are subsequently available. This suggests that the nature of the available greeting cards can be used as an archival data source to gauge social attitudes and interpersonal communicative processes. A study is presented to illustrate a method in which greeting cards are used to examine how parents communicate with their children on special occasions. The advantages and disadvantages of the approach are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa.
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Cacioppo
authors.forename: Barbara L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Andersen