Benjamin Compton

Professional Overview

Ben’s scholarship stems from the combination of his teaching and research interests. His teaching focuses on relational communication, such as interpersonal, small group, and nonverbal communication, while his research focuses on sexual communication, specifically looking at the verbal and nonverbal signals of attraction. Both of his teaching and research coalesce into scholarship with attention to the processes and impact of how external behaviors might impact others’ internal experiences during interpersonal interactions and relationships. In addition, Ben serves as the president for the End Overdose Bay Area chapter (endoverdose.net), as well as teaches cycle/spin classes at St Mary’s Alioto Recreation Center and at various Equinox locations in downtown San Francisco. In his free time, you can find Ben attending/volunteering at music festivals or out dancing at local electronic events.

Research focus

His expertise is in interpersonal sexual communication and verbal and nonverbal signals. Specific topics include the Male Gaze, sexual self-disclosures, flirting/courtship, and perceptions of cheating. His work pays close attention to the interconnectedness of culture and interpersonal behavior to highlight the uniqueness of every individual, simultaneously noting the larger trends amongst populations through quantitative methods. He also investigates and workshops questions with peers and students on how to better understand nonverbal behavior in intimate and affectionate contexts.

Publications

Bowman, J. M., & Compton, B. L. (2024). Haptic interactions: Connections between touch and emotion in relationships. In D. Chadee & A. Kostić (Eds.), Body language talks: Deeper than faces.

Manusov, V., & Compton, B. L. (2023). Pelosi, pointing, and power: Assumptions about dominance, emotionality, and gender within media discourses. The Howard Journal of Communications, 1, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/10646175.2023.2195059

Bowman, J. M., & Compton, B. L. (2022). Predicting infidelity in non-heterosexual relationships. In T. DeLecce & T. Shackelford (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of infidelity.

Bowman, J. M., & Compton, B. L. (2022). Oculesic signals of attraction, interest, and connection. In B. Sternberg & A. Kostić (Eds.), Nonverbal communication in close relationships: What words don’t tell us. Palgrave-Macmillan.

Hall, J., & Compton, B. L. (2017). Pre- and post-interaction physical attractiveness ratings and experience-based impressions. Communication Studies, 3, 260-277. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2017.1317281

Compton, B. L., & Bowman, J. M. (2017). Perceived cross-orientation infidelity: Heterosexual perceptions of same-sex cheating in exclusive relationships. Journal of Homosexuality, 11, 1469-1483.https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2016.1244447

Kunkel, A., Wagner, P., & Compton, B. L. (2016). (Trans)lating identity: Exploring discursive strategies for navigating the tensions of identity gaps. Communication Quarterly, 3, 251-272. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463373.2015.1103286

Bond, B. J., & Compton, B. L. (2015). Gay on-screen: The relationship between exposure to gay characters on television and heterosexual audiences’ endorsement of gay equality. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 59, 717-732. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2015.1093485

Bowman, J. M., & Compton, B. L. (2014). Evaluations of nonverbal greetings in friendships: Self-presentation, individual differences, and gender evaluations of nonverbal greeting behaviors among close friends. Journal of Men’s Studies, 22, 207-221. https://doi.org/10.3149/jms.2203.207

Teaching

Courses Ben frequently teaches include Introduction to Human Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Small Group Communication, and special topics courses such as Interpersonal Sexual Communication and Nonverbal Communication. He also recurrently teaches the Methods sequence for the MA in Strategic Communication program.

Awards

Nominee for Excellence in Teaching Award, College of Arts, Media, & Design, Northeastern University, 2023

Tolo Scholar, Mortar Board Alumni and Tolo Foundation Elizabeth Ayers Scholarship, 2022-2023

Department of Communication Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, University of Washington, 2021

National Communication Association Nonverbal Division Emerging Scholar Award, 2020

University Graduate Fellow, University of Kansas, 2014-2015

Education

PhD Communication, University of Washington, 2023

MA Communication, University of Kansas, 2016

BA Communication, University of San Diego, 2014

Certificate in Sexuality, Culture, & Society, University of Amsterdam, 2015