School of Communication master’s student Salvatore Petruzella explores how people’s inherent traits affect their expression of affection towards others
Salvatore Petruzzella
By Taylor Pedersen, CLA Student Writer - August 5, 2025
When Salvatore Petruzzella stood in front of his fourth-grade science fair project, he likely had no idea it would one day serve as a cornerstone of his graduate research. “It was on affectionate communication,” he recalled. “I asked my friends and their parents about tickling,like which spots were the most ticklish. It was cute. I was just a kid.” But the seeds were planted early: a fascination with how humans show affection, and why it matters so much.
Now a master’s student at Oregon State University’s School of Communication, Petruzzella has turned that childhood curiosity into a scholarly pursuit. “In college, it just felt right,” he said of research on interpersonal relationships,specifically, how and why people express affection in everyday life.
“It’s always mattered,” Petruzzella said when asked why affectionate communication is so important. “From an attachment standpoint, even as babies, the connection between child and adult is crucial to forming a healthy self-concept. That need doesn’t go away—it just changes form.” His master’s thesis at OSU examined how individual traits influence expressions of affection, based on a survey of 368 participants. The study focused on how people perceive, give, and receive affection, testing long-held communication theories through real-world data.
One of the most striking findings? The motivation for belongingness was the strongest predictor of how people express affection. “It’s a relatively stable trait,” Petruzzella explained. “People who have a strong need for belonging—who really crave close, positive interactions—are more likely to express affection. Curiosity was another trait that showed strong connection. It’s like people who are interested in exploring others emotionally are also more affectionate.”
While conducting this research, Petruzzella also spent time doing something else he loves: teaching. He taught multiple sections of Public Speaking, one of OSU’s most popular communication classes. His enthusiasm for the role is palpable.
“I love the journey of each semester—learning what inspires my students, what motivates them,” he said. “Every student brings a different perspective, and I get to be their first audience.” Whether it's a persuasive speech or a heartfelt toast, he relishes hearing students find their voices. But more than that, he takes pride in creating a classroom environment built on respect and responsiveness. “I take it seriously. I answer emails fast. I stay present. I want students to feel they belong.”
Petruzzella was drawn to OSU not only for its strong communication program, but also for the work of Dr. Colin Hesse, a leading scholar in affectionate communication. “His writing just works,” he said. “It flows, it’s rigorous, it’s brilliant. He really understands the psychological nature of communication. I wanted to study with someone who could push me to think deeper—and he did.”
This fall, Petruzzella will continue that academic journey at the University of Delaware, where he’ll begin a Ph.D. in communication. He’s eager to build on his current research, diving deeper into how communication in close relationships meets (or fails to meet) human needs. “I’m interested in how we become resources for the people we love,” he says. “How we show regard for others through communication—how we support them, and how that support is perceived.”
Despite growing up across Arizona and now heading to the East Coast, Petruzzella sees a universal thread in every place he’s lived. “Everywhere, people have hope. They use communication to try to build a brighter future,” he says. “That need doesn’t change.”
What does the ideal future look like for Petruzzella? It’s not just about research papers or publications. “All of it,” he said with a smile. “Teaching, mentoring, writing—absolutely.” His passion lies in the classroom, where he hopes to inspire others the way his mentors have inspired him.
As he heads into the next chapter, Petruzzella remains grounded in the belief that affectionate communication isn’t just a research topic;it’s a fundamental part of being human. “We can try to prove it scientifically, but even without the data, we feel it,” he said. “Affection shapes who we are. And it tells the people around us who we care about most.”