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34 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is Theory?
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Any conceptual representation or explanation
of a phenomenon – Stephen Littlejohn A set of statements specifying an explanatory relationship between two or more classes of phenomenon – Mary John Smith |
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Taxonomy
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A conceptual representation of
categories of a phenomenon |
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Model
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-A simplified representation of reality
-A relationships between concepts – temporal order |
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Communication Theory
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A way to describe, explain, predict,
and/or change human communication behavior. |
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Metatheory
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Body of speculation on the nature of
theory and research |
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Metatheoretical Assumptions
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Ontological
Epistemological Axiological |
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Ontology
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Branch of philosophy concerned with
studying the nature of reality |
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Ontological Questions and Assumptions
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Do humans make real choices?
Is human experience basically individual or social? Is human experience contextualized? |
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Epistemology
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Branch of philosophy that studies
knowledge |
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Epistemological Questions and Assumptions
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Can knowledge exist before experience?
Can knowledge be certain? By what process does knowledge arise? Is knowledge best conceived in parts or in whole? |
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Axiology
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Branch of philosophy studying values
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Axiological Questions and Assumptions
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Is research value free?
Does the practice of inquiry influence that which is studied? Should research attempt to achieve social change? |
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Empirical or Social Scientist
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Knowledge based on observation
Phenomena are waiting to be discovered Structured steps to discovery Reality is distinct from the scientist; Scientist discovers reality Collectively, scientists understand the world Behavior shaped by forces beyond our control Seek universal laws Goal of research is explanation, prediction, and control Test theoretical explanations using quantitative research methods |
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Humanist
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Knowledge created by researcher
Knower can not be separated from the known Goal of research is to better understand the phenomena being studied Multiple meanings are acceptable Human behavior is voluntary; as free choice increases, predictability decreases Good interpretations are those that convince Theories/research explore the web of meaning constituting human experience Qualitative research methods |
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Scientific
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-Objective knowledge
-Search for regularity in communication behavior - Systematic observation of communication behaviors -Knowledge gained through empirical means -Goals of explanation, prediction, and control meaning |
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Humanistic
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-Some knowledge is subjective
-Focus on individuals and how they create - Non-standardized methods -Knowledge gained through introspection and interpretation -Goals of understanding and social change |
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Covering Law Approach
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No choice
People communicate the way they do because some prior condition caused them to respond in a certain way Communication is governed by forces that are predictable and generalizable Forces are called laws |
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Types of Laws
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Positivistic Laws
Probabilistic Laws |
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Covering Law
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Covering law theorists hold that there are fixed relationships between two or more events or objects. Example: Whenever Linda speaks, Bob interrupts her; this is a lawlike statement that expresses a relationship between Linda and Bob. These state-ments are commonly referred to as if- then statements.
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Rules Approach
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Rules theorists contend that much of human behavior is a result of free choice. People pick the social rules that govern their interactions. Example: In an interaction between co- workers, much of their conversation will be guided by rules of politeness, turn taking, and so on.
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Systems
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Systems theorists hold that human behavior is part of a system. Example: Think of a family as a system of family relationships rather than individual members. This illuminates the complexity of communication patterns within the family.
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Types of Laws
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Positivistic Laws
Probabilistic Laws |
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Positivistic Laws
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Deterministic
X causes Y |
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Positivistic Laws: Examples
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Increased source credibility causes
increased persuasion Shyness leads to conversational incoherence Self disclosure by one individual in a conversation is followed by self disclosure by the other individual. . . |
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Probabilistic Laws
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Based on probability
If X, then probably Y under certain conditions Z Law-like |
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Probabilistic Laws: Examples
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Heavy viewing of T.V. violence will
probably lead to aggression among viewers who already have latent aggressive tendencies Using evidence in an argument will probably lead to more persuasion if the evidence used is credible |
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Meta-theoretical Assumptions of Laws
Theorists |
Ontological?
– No choice – Certain knowledge does exist and can be known with the right method – Human behavior is predictable Epistemological? – Empiricism; observation – Strive for objectivity Axiological? – Value free – Inquiry not influencing what is observed – Prediction is the primary goal |
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Rules Approach
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Choice (proactive not reactive)
People make purposeful choices about their actions to achieve goals Goals achieved by following social rules for decisions – Goal-action linkages Rules are context specific |
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Rules: Examples
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If individuals want to project a favorable
self image when interacting with strangers, then they should engage in a polite social conversation If individuals want a satisfying romantic relationship, they should communicate openly and honestly |
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Meta-theoretical Assumptions of Rules
Theorists |
Ontological?
– Humans are goal-oriented – Humans make choices – Prediction only happens to describe regular behavioral patterns Epistemological? – observations – Constructivism; both parts and whole Axiological? – Value free – Trying to be objective |
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Systems Approach
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Human behavior part of system
–need to understand system Free will constrained by system in which they operate –Law-like –Rules |
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Elements of Systems
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Wholeness/Holism (nonsummativity)
– Interdependence Openness – Calibration/feedback – equifinality Hierarchical organization Organized complexity Self-regulation |
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Meta-theoretical Assumptions of Systems
Theorists |
Ontological?
– holism; nonsummativity – Organized complexity; Self-regulation Epistemological? – Information is primary (memory) – Networks/channels – Boundary processes to filter information – Control (feedback) Axiological? – Understanding interdependence is of primary importance – Relations among subsystems are most informative – Communication creates systemic reality |
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Rules Theorists Want to Understand:
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What the rules are
Why people choose to follow or not follow rules The effect of following/not following the rules How people create/negotiate rules |
