Communication Science Overview
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Questions and Answers

What worldview does critical social science primarily advocate for?

  • A strictly scientific perspective that ignores social contexts
  • An emancipatory worldview that supports the weak and oppressed (correct)
  • A conservative approach focused on tradition
  • A utilitarian framework prioritizing economic growth

Which of the following approaches is criticized by critical social science?

  • Feminism for its focus on gender issues
  • Humanism for lacking scientific rigor
  • Pluralist liberalism for reproducing existing inequalities (correct)
  • Constructivism for its subjective nature

What is a key characteristic of critical social research as compared to positivist research?

  • It employs only quantitative methods
  • It seeks to politicize and challenge power structures (correct)
  • It assumes a fixed and objective reality
  • It focuses exclusively on macroeconomic data

How does critical social science view the role of media?

<p>As an integral part of power relations that can manipulate and support rebellion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which question exemplifies a critical research approach?

<p>What is the role of corporations in surveillance and the rise of autocracy? (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one key area of focus within communication science?

<p>Norms and assumptions in conversations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT part of Lasswell's communication formula?

<p>What is the context of the message? (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do communication scientists study the impact of media on conversations?

<p>By researching media effects on communication styles (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a research question in communication science?

<p>What are the characteristics of the audience? (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of communication is studied through Lasswell's questions?

<p>The effectiveness and channels of messages (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which field does communication science overlap with?

<p>Political science (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of communication involves friends talking or using social media?

<p>Interpersonal communication (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an important question in understanding political communication?

<p>How do certain media influence public opinion? (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary function of theories according to McQuail?

<p>They help make sense of the world. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the term 'intrapersonal communication'?

<p>Communication occurring within an individual. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of theory focuses on highlighting specific aspects of a phenomenon?

<p>Conceptual theory (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does McQuail suggest all theories do to reality?

<p>They simplify reality. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which theory type is concerned with societal communication structures?

<p>Institutional theory (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way do theories contribute to their respective contexts?

<p>By formulating specific interpretations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts is NOT associated with the simplification nature of theories?

<p>Offering absolute explanations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk of focusing on specific aspects within theories?

<p>Overlooking the broader context. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assertion of media-centric theories regarding social change?

<p>Media act as engines or causes of social change. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to materialist theories, what is necessary for social change to occur?

<p>Change in ownership and control organization. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to conflict models, what do consensus models in social relations emphasize?

<p>The establishment of consensus to facilitate social relations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a view held by neo-Marxist theorists regarding cultural change and social relations?

<p>Cultural changes can disrupt existing socio-economic relations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the public sphere according to conflict models?

<p>It embodies the competition for ideas and resources. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested by classic Marxism about the relationship between social superstructures and infrastructure?

<p>Ideas and politics are shaped by material economic conditions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do cultural theories view the source of social change?

<p>Driven by the power of ideas and cultural shifts. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best captures the notion of competition within conflict models?

<p>It is a necessary engine for creativity and innovation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes cultural theory in relation to social-scientific theories?

<p>It is imaginative, ideational, and cannot be tested. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'agency'?

<p>Actors independently create and produce their own meanings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the structures of society influence individual behavior according to the structure vs. agency debate?

<p>They constrain and guide individual actions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the current dominant view regarding structure and agency, what is acknowledged?

<p>Both agency and structure play roles in human behavior. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of social change is emphasized in the provided content?

<p>Social change begins from both structures and agency. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of highbrow and lowbrow cultural distinctions mentioned in the content?

<p>They are irrelevant to understanding culture. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'behaviourism' imply about individual actors?

<p>Actors are largely passive and subjected to social forces. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential consequence of social media's influence as described in the context of the structure vs agency debate?

<p>A negative impact through structural constraints. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does cultural theory play in evaluating cultural artifacts?

<p>It judges them according to quality and challenges hierarchies. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Habermas’ theory of communicative action emphasize regarding the public sphere?

<p>It advocates for rational dialogue among all groups. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a 'paradigm' in the context of social sciences?

<p>A coherent system of thought guiding social-scientific research. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Thomas Kuhn, how do paradigms change?

<p>Suddenly and chaotically when they can no longer explain certain phenomena. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do paradigms in social sciences differ from those in exact sciences?

<p>Paradigms in social sciences can coexist and compete without replacing each other. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do paradigms play in scientific research?

<p>They help scientists orient themselves within vast theories. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the term 'cognitive dominance' in the context of paradigms?

<p>The fluctuation of prominence among multiple paradigms. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might trigger a scientific revolution, according to Kuhn?

<p>The inability of a paradigm to answer important questions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of functionalism in society?

<p>Various sub-systems, like media and family, working together for societal health. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects the essence of pluralism in Habermas' normative theories of the press?

<p>The press should equally represent all societal groups. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Communication Science

The study of how humans communicate, focusing on the processes, behaviors, and effects of communication.

Social Sciences

The various academic disciplines that study human society and its structures, including communication, political science, economics, criminology, history, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.

Research Questions in Comm. Science

A set of questions that guide research in communication science, including the nature of communication, the processes of communication, the effects of communication, and the ethical dimensions of communication.

Lasswell's Formula (1948)

A simplified model for analyzing communication that helps understand who is communicating (the sender), what is being communicated (the message), through what channel (the medium), to whom (the receiver), with what effect (the outcome).

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Public/Audience

The audience or individuals who are intended to receive a message, and who might be influenced by the message.

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Channels of Communication

The channels used for communication, such as speech, writing, visual media, or technology. Different channels have different impacts on communication.

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Effect of Communication

The intended and actual impact of a communication message, including its influence on attitudes, behaviors, knowledge, and perceptions.

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Message Content

The content of a message, including the ideas, information, and themes conveyed.

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Theory

A way of understanding how something works. It offers a perspective on a particular topic and explains how things are, should be, or will be.

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Intrapersonal communication theory

A particular way of thinking about communication based on the individual's internal thoughts and processes.

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Interpersonal communication theory

Communication between two people, focusing on the exchange of messages and the relationship between them.

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Group Communication Theory

Examines communication within groups, including dynamics, roles, and how group members interact.

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Institutional Communication Theory

Focuses on how communication is shaped by institutions and organizations, including influence, power, and media.

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Societal Communication Theory

Explores the role of communication in society, including social structures, cultural values, and the impact of media.

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Theory of theories

A theory about how theories work. It helps us understand different approaches to communication.

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Limitations of theories

Theories can focus on specific parts of reality, leading to potential biases and overlooking other connections or contexts.

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Media-centric Theories

Theories that argue media drives social change. Media acts as a catalyst for change.

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Society-centric Theories

Theories that argue media merely reflects existing social realities. Social change stems from deeper societal shifts.

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Materialist Theories

Theories that prioritize material factors like economics and technology as drivers of social change.

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Cultural Theories

Theories that emphasize the power of ideas and culture to influence social change.

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Conflict Models

A model that views the public sphere as a site of conflict between different groups. Conflicts arise over resources, meanings, and identities.

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Consensus Models

A model that portrays the public sphere as striving for consensus and agreement. Media contributes to establishing shared values.

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Social Change - Materialist Perspective

Social changes are driven by shifts in ownership and control of resources.

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Social Change - Cultural Perspective

Social changes are driven by changes in ideas, identities, and worldviews.

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Emancipatory Worldview

A worldview that emphasizes social justice, equality, and the liberation of marginalized groups.

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Critical Social Science

The study of society and social phenomena that critically examines existing power structures and seeks to expose and challenge inequalities.

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Social Determination

An approach emphasizing the influence of social, economic, and historical contexts on individual behavior and identities.

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Critical Research Questions

Research questions that explore how power dynamics shape social phenomena and advocate for social change.

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Homo Economicus

The assumption that individuals are primarily motivated by self-interest and rational calculations, often neglecting social and cultural factors.

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Cultural Theory

Cultural theory is a type of theory that is both imaginative and systematic, like social-scientific theories, but it is also ideational and normative.

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Evaluative Cultural Theory

Cultural theories can be evaluative, meaning they can assess cultural artifacts based on certain criteria.

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Interpretative Cultural Theory

Cultural theories can be interpretative, meaning they can provide different perspectives on cultural phenomena.

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Structure in Communication

A perspective in communication studies that emphasizes the receiver's passive role in the communication process, where they are influenced by external messages and structures.

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Agency in Communication

A perspective in communication studies that emphasizes the sender's active role in creating and sharing messages, where they have agency and influence over the communication process.

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Structure vs Agency

The concept of structure and agency refers to the ongoing tension between the pre-existing, influential structures in society and the individual's ability to act independently and creatively within those structures.

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Social Change

The belief that social change can originate from different sources, such as individual creativity, collective action, or external forces.

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Highbrow Culture

Highbrow culture typically refers to intellectual and sophisticated cultural forms, often associated with wealth and education.

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Behaviourism

Behaviourism is a psychological perspective that emphasizes the role of learning and conditioning in shaping human behaviour.

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Poststructuralism

Poststructuralism is a theoretical approach that challenges the idea of fixed meanings and structures, emphasizing the multiplicity of interpretations and the power of language.

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Paradigm

A collection of theories and models that share a common set of assumptions, perspectives, goals, or origins, providing scientists with a coherent system of thought for research and analysis.

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Paradigm Change

A shift in scientific thought where an existing paradigm is replaced by a new one as a result of the inability of the previous paradigm to adequately explain new discoveries or observations.

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Heliocentrism

The theory that the Earth revolves around the Sun, proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus.

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Geocentrism

The idea that the Earth is the center of the universe, prevalent in medieval Europe.

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Exact Sciences

A type of scientific research focused on understanding objective laws of nature, often based on observation and experimentation.

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Co-existing Paradigms in Social Sciences

The situation in social sciences where different paradigms exist and compete with each other, often without one replacing the other.

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Communicative Action

The process of using rational dialogue and critical analysis to reach consensus and understanding within a community.

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Functionalism

A theory that posits that a healthy society requires a functional system of interconnected elements, such as media, police, and family.

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Normative Theories of the Press

A theory that emphasizes the role of the press in representing diverse groups in society and fostering consensus through pluralistic perspectives.

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Study Notes

Communication Science Overview

  • Communication science is a field of study exploring communication, encompassing various disciplines, research questions, theories, concepts, debates, and paradigms.
  • It examines how people communicate through diverse ways like texts, phone calls, social media or speeches.
  • Communication science is a subfield of social sciences, positioned below broader social science categories like Political Science, Economics, Criminology etc.

The Science of Communication

  • Communication science includes disciplines, research questions, theories, concepts, debates, and paradigms.
  • The science involves studying the norms and assumptions behind conversations.
  • Research also looks at how media influences communication and politicians' persuasion techniques.

Lasswell's Formula (1948)

  • A communication model that structures the process of communication with five questions:
    • What is the message's content? (WHAT)
    • Who is the target audience of the message?(TO WHOM)
    • What are the intended effects? (WHY)
    • What are the chosen means of disseminating the message? (HOW)
    • Who are the receivers of the message?(WHO)

McQuail (2010)

  • A model depicting communication levels from the interpersonal level to the societal level, showing increasing levels of complexity. -intrapersonal communication -interpersonal communication -groups -institutional communication, and -societal communication.
  • The model also considers how communication theories translate across different communication levels.

Theories & Concepts

  • A 'theory' in communication is a perspective on, vision of, or a particular way of thinking about a specific topic.
  • Theorizing helps to explain how the world operates (or how it is expected to operate).
  • A theory provides guidelines and interpretations of explanation for a specific social phenomenon.
  • Theories can simplify reality but do so at the expense of other topics, connections, interpretations, contexts.

Different Types of Theories in Communication Science (McQuail)

  • Everyday theories: intuitive understandings based on personal experiences and perceptions of the world.
  • Normative theories: prescribe how communication should function.
  • Operational theories: guide practical tasks of communication in the real world.
  • Social-scientific theories: offer general statements about communication processes.
  • Cultural theories: interpret and critically evaluate communication’s roles in society.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of communication science, exploring its various disciplines, theories, and models such as Lasswell's Formula. Gain insights into how communication occurs through different mediums and the underlying norms of conversation. Delve into the impact of media and persuasion techniques in the realm of communication.

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