Communication Theories: Craig's Seven Traditions

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which tradition focuses on communication as a process of information exchange and goals?

Cybernetic (correct)

Socio-cultural

Critical

Rhetorical

What does the socio-psychological tradition primarily emphasize in communication?

Interpersonal interactions and behavior (correct)

Objective measures and quantitative data

Cultural influences on language

Historical context of communication

In which tradition is the context and culture of communication considered most crucial?

Rhetorical

Cybernetic

Phenomenological

Socio-cultural (correct)

Which communication theory tradition believes that language control leads to societal dominance?

Critical Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the semiotic tradition in communication theory?

Examination of signs and symbols Signup and view all the answers

How does the phenomenological tradition primarily view communication?

As a subjective experience of individuals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traditions is concerned with language as a mechanism for social order?

Socio-cultural Signup and view all the answers

The interplay of communication and social practices is a major focus in which tradition?

Socio-cultural Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of critical scholars in relation to media?

Understanding how media reproduces ideology Signup and view all the answers

Which tradition emphasizes the subjective experience of communication between individuals?

Phenomenological tradition Signup and view all the answers

What does the semiotic tradition focus on in the context of communication?

The sharing of meaning through signs and symbols Signup and view all the answers

How does rhetoric relate to public speaking according to the content?

It encompasses both verbal and nonverbal communication Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is presented by the phenomenological tradition when analyzing communication?

Perceptions differ based on individual backgrounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of understanding signs and symbols in communication?

It prevents misunderstandings in conversations Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of communication is questioned by phenomenological traditions?

The interpretation of signs and symbols Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about ideology in media is accurate?

Ideology is reproduced through various media tools Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Robert Craig's Seven Traditions

Communication theory has many definitions and approaches
Robert Craig identified seven traditions of communication theory

Cybernetic Tradition

Views communication as an information process
Focuses on systems, individuals, organizations and channels used to transmit messages
Communication is goal-oriented: the sender has a goal before creating the message and utilizing a specific channel to transmit it
The receiver's interpretation of the message can differ from the sender's intended message

Socio-psychological Tradition

Views communication as interpersonal interaction
Focuses on stimuli and reactions, applying a behavioral approach
Emphasizes cause-and-effect relationships in communication
Focuses on expression, interaction and influence
Originates from psychology and sociology
Theorists are generally objective

Socio-cultural Tradition

Views communication as a symbolic process in the reproduction or production of social order
Emphasizes context, culture and social practices
Focuses on how individuals and groups respond to different stimuli within a broader social context
Social practices, including everyday routines and how we understand the world, are created through interaction
Communication creates shared meaning and understanding within a social group

Critical Tradition

Views communication as a tool for power relations and social change
Focuses on language and ideology
Argues that those who control language hold a dominant position in society
Critical scholars emphasize ideology as embedded in various tools and media
Media is seen as a vehicle for transmitting ideology to the public
Ideology through media becomes part of the broader discourse

Rhetorical Tradition

Views communication as a persuasive art form
Originates in ancient Greece
Focuses on rhetoric and influence through verbal and nonverbal communication
Aims to understand and influence audiences effectively

Phenomenological Tradition

Views communication as the experience of self and others through dialogue
Emphasizes individual perceptions and interpretations in context
Aims to understand how different groups perceive and experience reality through communication
Questions how diverse identities influence communicative practices

Semiotic Tradition

Views communication as meaning-making through a system of signs and symbols
Focuses on interpreting signs and symbols in communication
Recognizes that shared experiences and pre-existing knowledge influence interpretation
Emphasizes the importance of understanding the meaning behind signs and symbols within a particular context
Sign and symbol systems contribute to the transmission and representation of meaning

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore Robert Craig's seven traditions of communication theory in this quiz. Delve into various perspectives such as cybernetic, socio-psychological, and socio-cultural approaches to understanding communication processes and interactions. Test your knowledge on how these traditions shape our understanding of communication.