Theories of Human Communication PDF

Mind: The ability to use symbols with common social meanings. ​ ​ - developed through speaking with others Implications: the better/wider you develop those symbols system you think through everything -​ Can't emphathisis until your mind it develop...

Mind: The ability to use symbols with common social meanings. ​ ​ - developed through speaking with others Implications: the better/wider you develop those symbols system you think through everything -​ Can't emphathisis until your mind it develop Self: The ability to reflect on oneself from the perspective of others. -​ Hard to see what people say or do without -​ Med would say that a nascarist would not know how they come across because they dont know self -​ Me: reflecting on your self and using other peoples feedback ( self awareness) I : Not thinking about yourself, what ingerating just goin. Impulsive, spontaneous The importance of meaning for human behavior: Individuals act toward things based on the meanings those things have for them. Meaning is created in interaction and modified through interpretation. The importance of the self-concept: Self-concept is a central motive for behavior. ○​ Individuals develop self-concepts through interactions with others. Self-concepts provide an important motive for behavior. ○​ Developed the self-concept ​ Differentiate yourself from others—----> motivation for behavior The relationship between the individual and society: People and groups are influenced by cultural and social processes. Social structure is worked out through social interaction. ○​ Individuals are not just passive recipients of social norms, they are active in creating and recreating them. ○​ The choose we have Chapter 3 What is Theory? ​ Definition: A theory is a "formalized explanation" of how things work. It's a way of making sense of the world by explaining, understanding, predicting or creating social change. Theories involve concepts and relationships. ​ Concepts: Concepts are key terms or ideas. They are the building blocks of theory and can be concrete or abstract. For example, "friendship" is a concept that can have different meanings in different contexts. ​ Relationships: Theories specify the connections between concepts. These relationships can be linear, interactive, or even transactional. ​ Level of Generality: Theories can vary in their level of generality, ranging from very broad ("grand") to very specific ("narrow"). Goals of Theory: ​ Explanation: Theories provide reasons for why things happen. ​ Understanding: Theories offer insights into the nature of phenomena. ​ Prediction: Some theories aim to predict future outcomes. ​ Social Change: Some theories are developed to promote social change by identifying inequities and offering solutions. Theory and Experience ​ The relationship between theory and experience is complex. ​ Theories are based on observations, but those observations are also shaped by existing theories. ​ Theory and research should inform each other. Approaches to Knowing (Generating Knowledge) There are different approaches to generating knowledge and building theory, each with its own assumptions: ​ Positivistic Approach: ○​ Assumptions: This approach assumes that the world is objective, can be measured, and that there are universal laws that can be discovered. ○​ Goals: The goal is to explain and predict. ○​ Method and Task: Researchers using this approach typically use quantitative methods and begin with a theory and test it through research. ○​ Theory to Research: This approach moves from a general theory to a specific application. ​ Interpretive (or Hermeneutic) Approach: ○​ Assumptions: This approach assumes that reality is socially constructed and that people's interpretations are important. ○​ Goals: The goal is to understand meanings, experiences and perspectives. ○​ Method and Task: Researchers using this approach often employ qualitative methods and develop theory from the research. ○​ Research to Theory: This approach is inductive, moving from specific observations to broader theoretical ideas. ​ Critical Approach: ○​ Assumptions: This approach assumes that power structures shape social realities and that some groups are marginalized. ○​ Goals: The goal is to critique the status quo and promote social justice. ○​ This approach often involves examining existing power relations and inequalities. Questions About the World (Ontology, Epistemology, Axiology) -​ These are three key areas of inquiry in theory building: ​ Ontology: The study of the nature of reality. Different approaches to knowing have different ontological assumptions. ○​ Positivistic Ontology: Reality is objective and exists independently of the observer. ○​ Interpretive Ontology: Reality is socially constructed, and there may be multiple realities. ○​ Critical Ontology: Reality is shaped by power relations, and some groups have more influence in defining it. ​ Epistemology: The study of how we know things. This also varies by approach. ○​ Positivistic Epistemology: Knowledge is gained through observation and measurement. ○​ Interpretive Epistemology: Knowledge is gained by understanding people's lived experiences. ○​ Critical Epistemology: Knowledge is shaped by power, and some perspectives may be privileged over others. ​ Axiology: The study of values. ○​ Positivistic Axiology: Values should be kept separate from research to maintain objectivity. ○​ Interpretive Axiology: Values influence the research process, and researchers should acknowledge their own values. ○​ Critical Axiology: Research should be value-driven and aim for social change. ​ Formed by money, power, “the man” Types of Theories ​ Covering Law Approach: This approach uses general laws to explain phenomena. These laws are assumed to apply across situations. ​ This is what happen in this situation ​ Action and result ​ Positivitic approach align ​ Predictable ​ All situations and people ​ Rules Approach: This approach uses rules or norms to guide how people interact. ○​ Influenced my community and people around you ​ Systems Approach: This approach emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of parts in a system. ○​ Studying all parts ○​ Interdependent larger system ​ Ex: classroom: different people, new teacher, new class, new material ○​ Key Concepts of Systems Approach: Wholeness, interdependence, hierarchy, boundaries, calibration, and equifinality. The Research Process ​ Deductive Reasoning: Theorists often move from a general theory to a specific application. This involves -​ Using the premise -​ Facts -​ (postivitic) ○​ Identifying a puzzling observation ○​ Developing a hypothesis ○​ Operationalizing concepts: Defining concepts in a measurable way ○​ Creating a data collection procedure ○​ Coding data-how frequently does something happen ○​ and testing the hypothesis ○​ Using quantitative or qualitative methods ​ Inductive Reasoning: Moving from specific observations to generate new theories. ○​ Creating preminise ○​ Gathering claim ( operational definitions)- talking abot Pure: just want to know research and understand why things happen -​ Wanting to know -​ Academia ( pure) -​ Validity: if it can be studied -​ Not a valid representation -​ Is the test testing me on what I learned or is there outside knowledge at play? -​ Does it capture what its supposed to capture -​ Reliability: how accurate a study -​ Over and over -​ Applied- pratcical reason why Evaluating Theories The following criteria can be used to evaluate the quality of a theory: ​ Scope: How much of the social world is explained by the theory ​ Logical Consistency: The theory should be free of internal contradictions.  ​ Parsimony: The theory should be as simple as possible. ○​ Ocom razor - the simplest answer is usually the correct one ​ Utility: The theory should be useful and help us understand the world. ​ Testability: The theory should be able to be tested through research. ​ Heurism: The theory should generate new ideas for research. ○​ In an academic setting “my study is still be used”, “my study this” my study that etc etc ​ Test of Time: The theory should be able to stand the test of time. This information from the sources should provide a solid foundation for understanding communication theory. January 22, 2025 BACKGROUND OF COMMUNICATIONS- The humanities were largely studied throughout liberal arts schools New field of public speaking (National Association of Public Speaking) NCA -​ To be taken seriously they needed research Why did they need to do research within this new field? Prestige was made up of the research within the stem field and therefore communications had to incorporate ​ -​ Impacts theories based on the two sides stem then more like history, lit etc 1914- growing power the the stem field 1930s- radio -​ Radio got split into public speaking and journalism Wilbert wanted to go into psychology and sociology Communication is a social science ( more powerful in a college setting) EXPRESSION DEBATE DISCUSSION TECHNIQUES TONE, PHOTONICS, SOCIOLOGY SUBDIVISION OF HUMAN COMMUNICATIONS Intrapersonal- Communications that happen within yourself ​ (overlap with psychology) Cognitive distinctive theory- Interpersonal- communication field face-to-face Ex: Romantic relationships, office relationships Small Group- Communication dynamics that make a group do better. Networks, or communication patterns, and roles, or specific behaviors characterize it. Trying to solve a problem FAMILY ISNT AN EXAMPLE What leads to the most efficient communication? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Organizational Communication - “ large extended networks” -​ Could have small groups, organizations, etc all within an organization. Often associated with business school, organizational psychology Rhetoric/Public communication- One person tries to create influence over a group -​ Extended audience Ex: is how a teacher teaches Mass communication- when you use another channel of communication other than face-to-face, studying the influence of other forms of communication Intracultural- how different cultures, nations, and co-cultures and what conflicts arise ​ When do you ​ Economic - overlaps with international studies ​ How to solve conflict between different groups of people Ex: high contexts and low contexts culture (low- leave understanding to context, rely on each other | high context culture explains everything- value independence, eastern culture) Chapter 3 What is Theory? ​ Definition: A theory is a "formalized explanation" of how things work. It's a way of making sense of the world by explaining, understanding, predicting or creating social change. Theories involve concepts and relationships. ​ Concepts: Concepts are key terms or ideas. They are the building blocks of theory and can be concrete or abstract. For example, "friendship" is a concept that can have different meanings in different contexts. ​ Relationships: Theories specify the connections between concepts. These relationships can be linear, interactive, or even transactional. ​ Level of Generality: Theories can vary in their level of generality, ranging from very broad ("grand") to very specific ("narrow"). Goals of Theory: ​ Explanation: Theories provide reasons for why things happen. ​ Understanding: Theories offer insights into the nature of phenomena. ​ Prediction: Some theories aim to predict future outcomes. ​ Social Change: Some theories are developed to promote social change by identifying inequities and offering solutions. Theory and Experience ​ The relationship between theory and experience is complex. ​ Theories are based on observations, but those observations are also shaped by existing theories. ​ Theory and research should inform each other. Approaches to Knowing (Generating Knowledge) There are different approaches to generating knowledge and building theory, each with its own assumptions: ​ Positivistic Approach: ○​ Assumptions: This approach assumes that the world is objective, can be measured, and that there are universal laws that can be discovered. ○​ Goals: The goal is to explain and predict. ○​ Method and Task: Researchers using this approach typically use quantitative methods and begin with a theory and test it through research. ○​ Theory to Research: This approach moves from a general theory to a specific application. ​ Interpretive (or Hermeneutic) Approach: ○​ Assumptions: This approach assumes that reality is socially constructed and that people's interpretations are important. ○​ Goals: The goal is to understand meanings, experiences and perspectives. ○​ Method and Task: Researchers using this approach often employ qualitative methods and develop theory from the research. ○​ Research to Theory: This approach is inductive, moving from specific observations to broader theoretical ideas. ​ Critical Approach: ○​ Assumptions: This approach assumes that power structures shape social realities and that some groups are marginalized. ○​ Goals: The goal is to critique the status quo and promote social justice. ○​ This approach often involves examining existing power relations and inequalities. Questions About the World (Ontology, Epistemology, Axiology) -​ These are three key areas of inquiry in theory building: ​ Ontology: The study of the nature of reality. Different approaches to knowing have different ontological assumptions. ○​ Positivistic Ontology: Reality is objective and exists independently of the observer. ○​ Interpretive Ontology: Reality is socially constructed, and there may be multiple realities. ○​ Critical Ontology: Reality is shaped by power relations, and some groups have more influence in defining it. ​ Epistemology: The study of how we know things. This also varies by approach. ○​ Positivistic Epistemology: Knowledge is gained through observation and measurement. ○​ Interpretive Epistemology: Knowledge is gained by understanding people's lived experiences. ○​ Critical Epistemology: Knowledge is shaped by power, and some perspectives may be privileged over others. ​ Axiology: The study of values. ○​ Positivistic Axiology: Values should be kept separate from research to maintain objectivity. ○​ Interpretive Axiology: Values influence the research process, and researchers should acknowledge their own values. ○​ Critical Axiology: Research should be value-driven and aim for social change. ​ Formed by money, power, “the man” Types of Theories ​ Covering Law Approach: This approach uses general laws to explain phenomena. These laws are assumed to apply across situations. ​ This is what happen in this situation ​ Action and result ​ Positivitic approach align ​ Predictable ​ All situations and people ​ Rules Approach: This approach uses rules or norms to guide how people interact. ○​ Influenced my community and people around you ​ Systems Approach: This approach emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of parts in a system. ○​ Studying all parts ○​ Interdependent larger system ​ Ex: classroom: different people, new teacher, new class, new material ○​ Key Concepts of Systems Approach: Wholeness, interdependence, hierarchy, boundaries, calibration, and equifinality. The Research Process ​ Deductive Reasoning: Theorists often move from a general theory to a specific application. This involves -​ Using the premise -​ Facts -​ (postivitic) ○​ Identifying a puzzling observation ○​ Developing a hypothesis ○​ Operationalizing concepts: Defining concepts in a measurable way ○​ Creating a data collection procedure ○​ Coding data-how frequently does something happen ○​ and testing the hypothesis ○​ Using quantitative or qualitative methods ​ Inductive Reasoning: Moving from specific observations to generate new theories. ○​ Creating preminise ○​ Gathering claim ( operational definitions)- talking abot Pure: just want to know research and understand why things happen -​ Wanting to know -​ Academia ( pure) -​ Validity: if it can be studied -​ Not a valid representation -​ Is the test testing me on what I learned or is there outside knowledge at play? -​ Does it capture what its supposed to capture -​ Reliability: how accurate a study -​ Over and over -​ Applied- pratcical reason why Evaluating Theories The following criteria can be used to evaluate the quality of a theory: ​ Scope: How much of the social world is explained by the theory ​ Logical Consistency: The theory should be free of internal contradictions. ​ Parsimony: The theory should be as simple as possible. ○​ Ocom razor - the simplest answer is usually the correct one ​ Utility: The theory should be useful and help us understand the world. ​ Testability: The theory should be able to be tested through research. ​ Heurism: The theory should generate new ideas for research. ○​ In an academic setting “my study is still be used”, “my study this” my study that etc etc ​ Test of Time: The theory should be able to stand the test of time. This information from the sources should provide a solid foundation for understanding communication theory. January 17th 2025 The goal of communication is to understand temper through thoughtfulness ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ Through thoughtfulness? Why? How? Language representing feeling? Verbertem NEED TO KNOW: What is communication? ​ “A social process in which individuals employ symbols to establish and interpret meaning in the environment.” Social Process - “People have experiences with different words” - it creates a pattern of knowing -​ Not static -​ Interpreting words (making it ongoing) Symbols - arbitrary- interept (given meaning)(room for miscommunication) - not always up to the individual Ex: society doesn't accept the word “daddy” Meaning - (becoming good using things such as symbols vis versa)- improve meaning -​ Layered -​ Meaning can be clarified specifically face-to-face Environment -​ Situation or context of the interaction -​ The meaning changes based on the context -​ Can give feelings (such as confidence) ex: giving a presentation in your setting you have practiced in before -​ Most people don't pay attention to context Because its a field and those are the sub-fields within it and determine what they study How does each part of the definition of communication play into each other? Intentionality? The Palo Alto, California MORE NOTES NEEDED - look back in the text 1950s groups - Cannot not Communicate Linear Model (Shannon & Weaver): L - oversimplified, linear, sender-receiver, passive (49) (ex: radio played a good role) very clear not a social interaction one-sided Interactional Model: I - two ways back and forth, ex: volleyball. -​ How are you taking this? -​ Different meanings interpreted differently -​ Speaking and responding not at the same time Transactional Model (Barnlund): T- Emphasis on the field of experience Compared to dance —---One can be skilled but needs to be adjusted from person to person ​ Ex: your only as good as your weakest link emphasizes the simultaneous and ongoing nature of communication. It highlights "cooperative meaning," suggesting that communicators work together to create shared understanding. What real-life situations can you account for the L.I.T? Gaslighting - bad communication and can be accounted as maybe intentions