Dr. John Capra joined the Communication Studies Department in 2023. Before joining PLNU, Dr. Capra taught at several different universities in the greater Southern California area. As an instructor, he has a passion for introducing students to the field of communication and has taught a variety of courses on the topic. Dr. Capra earned his B.S. in Communication Studies and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah, before earning his Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Chapman University.
As a Communication scholar, Dr. Capra utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methods in order to investigate how evidenced-based approaches can create measurable change in people’s attitudes, emotions, and further decision-making behaviors. Currently, his research agenda focuses on parent-child, and coach-athlete communication in youth sport. By studying communication in this cultural space, Dr. Capra aims to develop a deeper understanding of how communication in youth athletics impacts society, as well as how focused research attempts may improve athlete-related outcomes, instruction, and health within this population.
Education
- Ph.D., Communication Studies, Chapman University, Orange
- M.Ed., Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
- B.S., Communication Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
Courses Taught
- Principles of Human Communication – COM 1000
- Persuasion - COM 3030
Experience in Field
- Assistant Professor of Communication, Point Loma Nazarene University, 2023 – Present
- Graduate Student Instructor, Chapman University, 2020-2023
- Adjunct Professor, California State University Fullerton, 2021-2023
- Adjunct Professor, Hope International University, 2021-2023
Awards and Honors
- Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher, Chapman University, 2023
- 1st Team All-Academic, Pac-12 Athletic Conference, 2017-2018
- Academic All-American, COSIDA, 2017-2018
- Magna Cum Laude, University of Utah- 2018
Dissertations, Presentations, and Publications
· Capra, J., & LaBelle, S. (2022). A Qualitative Analysis of Playing Through Pain and Injury: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Understand the Communicated Sport Ethic Among Former Youth Athletes. International Journal of Sport Communication, 15(3), 233-241. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2022-0051
· LaBelle, S., Capra, J., Hellem, A., Kuchenbecker, C., Hodges, A., Murphy, M. (2022). The Contribution of Instructional Communication Research to Teaching-Learning Beyond the Classroom. Communication Education, 72(1), 92-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634523.2022.2137216
· Rey, R. T., & Capra, J. (2023). “Shut up and dribble”: fans’ perceptions of professional athletes’ role in standing up against racial injustices. Communication Research Reports, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2023.2165488
· Cranmer, G., Rey, R., Capra, J., Browning, B., Sollitto, M., (2023) Task & Social Determinants of Coaches’ Reports of Leader-Member Exchange. Communication & Sport, AOP. https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795231155592
· Capra, J., (2023). The Effect of Message Framing on Parents of Youth Athletes Attitudes Toward Messages Promoting Healthy Athletic Training Recommendations (Doctoral Dissertation)
· Capra, J., Labelle, S. (2023). Testing a Mediation Model of Coaches Power Use on Athlete-Coach Relationships and The Internalization of The Sport Ethic. Presented at the annual meeting of the Western States Communication Association in February of 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.
· Capra, J., Journeay, J., Rey, K., (2022). Professional Sports teams’ communicative inclusion and exclusion of athletes on social media. Presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association in New Orleans, Louisiana.
· Capra, J., Labelle, S. (2022). A Qualitative Analysis of Playing Through Pain and Injury: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Understand the Communicated Sport Ethic Among Former Youth Athletes. Presented at the annual meeting of the Western States Communication Association in Portland, Oregon.
· McGuire, N., Capra, J., & Miller-Day, M. (2022) Relational Communication and Individual Identity: Risks of Submissive Relational Communication Patterns on Differentiation of Self. Presented at the annual meeting of the International Association of Relationship Research virtually.
· Rey, R. T., Capra, J., Weber, K. (2021). Professional Athletes Stand Up Against racial injustices: Examining how athletes’ resilience and athletic activism is perceived by fans. Presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Communication Association, virtually.· Capra, J., Rocca, K., Weber, K., Kika, C. (2021). Sport and Society: Analyzing Youth Sports and Their Influential Relationship on COVID-19 Risk Perception. Presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association in Seattle, Washington.
· Craw, E., Bevan, J., Capra, J., Journeay, J. (2021) “We Are Learning a New Way of Life”: Applying the Relational Health Communication Competence Model to Family Caregiving During a Pandemic. Presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association in Seattle, Washington.
