Amber L. Ferris, Ph.D.

Amber L. Ferris, Ph.D.

Title: Interim Director & Professor
Dept/Program: School of Communication
Office: Kolbe Hall 108B
Phone: 330-972-7606
Email: aferris@uakron.edu

Research

Dr. Ferris’ research interests are in the areas of media uses and effects. Her current focus is on examining social media from a uses and gratifications perspective. Dr. Ferris teaches media and social media courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. She currently serves as the information officer for the Human Communication and Technology division of the National Communication Association. She is also active in the Ohio Communication Association, having served as President and editor of the Ohio Communication Journal.

Publications

Ferris, A. L., Hollenbaugh, E. E., & Sommer, P. A. (2021). Applying the uses and gratifications model to examine predictors of social media addiction. Social Media & Society, 7, 1-16.

Hollenbaugh, E. E., Ferris, A. L., & Casey, D. (2020). How do social media impact interpersonal communication competence? A uses and gratifications approach. In M. Desjarlais (Ed.), The psychology and dynamics behind social media interactions (pp. 137-163). Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishing.

Curnalia, R. M. L., & Ferris, A. L. (2020). Applying uses and gratifications to promote cognitive and affective learning via online instructional content. In S. Hai-Jew (Ed.), Form, function, and style in instructional design. Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishing.

Ferris, A. L., & Hollenbaugh, E. E. (2018). A uses and gratifications approach to exploring antecedents to Facebook dependency. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 62, 51-70.

Ferris, A. L. (2016). Exploring the impact of individual characteristics and reality dating television viewing motives in predicting college students’ stereotypical dating attitudes. In A. Hetsroni (Ed.), Television and romance – Studies, observations and interpretations (pp. 129-149). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

Hollenbaugh, E. E., & Ferris, A. L. (2015). Predictors of honesty, intent, and valence of Facebook self-disclosure. Computers in Human Behavior, 50, 456-464.

Curnalia, R. M. L, & Ferris, A. L. (2014). Concepts, sources, integration: A step-by-step guide to writing your literature review in communication studies.  Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt.

Hollenbaugh, E. E., & Ferris, A. L. (2014). Facebook self-disclosure: Examining the role of traits, social cohesion, and motive. Computers in Human Behavior, 30, 50-58.

Education

  • Ph.D., Communication Studies, Kent State University
  • M.A., Communication, Michigan State University
  • B.A., English, Michigan State University