Communication Theory Chapter 2

Front 1

Behavioral Scientist

Back 1

A scholar who applies the scientific method to describe, predict, and explain recurring forms of human behavior.

Front 2

Rhetorician

Back 2

A scholar who studies the ways in which symbolic forms can be used to identify with people, or to persuade them toward a certain point of view.

Front 3

Objective approach

Back 3

The assumption that truth is singular and is accessible through unbiased sensory observation; committed to uncovering cause-and-effect relationships.

Front 4

Interpretive approach

Back 4

The linguistic work of assigning meaning or value to communicative texts; assumes that multiple meanings or truths are possible.

Front 5

Humanistic Scholarship

Back 5

Study of what it's like to be another person in a specific time and place; assumes there are few important panhuman similarities.

Front 6

Epistemology

Back 6

The study of the origin, nature, method, and limits of knowledge.

Front 7

Determinism

Back 7

The assumption that behavior is caused by heredity and environment.

Front 8

Empirical evidence

Back 8

Data collected through direct observation

Front 9

Emancipation

Back 9

Liberation from any form of political, economic, racial, religious, or sexual oppression; empowerment.

Front 10

Metatheory

Back 10

Theory about theory; the stated or inherent assumptions made when creating a theory.