COMM 305 1st Edition Lecture 3 Outline of Last Lecture I. Lay Theory vs. Formal Theory (cont.)II. What do theories typically include?III. What should a theory do for us?IV. What questions should we ask about theory?V. Key Theoretical AssumptionsOutline of Current Lecture I. Key Theoretical Assumptions (cont.)II. Key Communication AssumptionsIII. Initiating and Developing RelationshipsIV. Social Penetration Theory (SPT)V. SPT in Practice: Small TalkCurrent Lecture- Key Communication Assumptionso Epistemology- related to the questions of the nature of knowing; what counts as knowledge? How is knowledge produced? How should knowledge be judged? Is knowledge accumulated or not? Objectivist stance- the real world can be systematically known; we can and should try to observe without bias Subjectivist stance- the real world can’t be separated from our perceptions of it. The goal should be to admit that and try to learn as much as we can about each of our subjective self of knowingo Axiology- value or worth, treats questions of how our own values, (sense of what’s worthy or not), should or shouldn’t influence our thinking about the world. Comes down to 2 things: Awareness: to what degree can we be aware of our values? Control: to what degree can or should we control those values?- The faucet problem: if you’re laying in bed and can hear the faucetdripping, objectivist would simply turn it off. They think they can and should be in control. Subjectivist think that it’s broken. They are painfully aware, but they can’t control it. These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- The slab leak stance is when we not only can we not control but we can’t be aware. - Radical Axiology: fire hose. Instead of worrying about keeping values out of your research, embrace them. What you’re looking for is determined specifically by what you think is important.- Key Communication Assumptionso Communication as a process Communication unfolds over time. Understanding a given exchange is helped and aided by past conversations. You can’t study communication in isolation; you have to know what’s happened before to really understand it. Communication is complex. o Communication as transactional To say communication is transaction is to remember that communication involves feedback. Communication is no longer seen as a linear process since it involves feedback. o Communication as symbolic It involves the use of signs. What’s being exchanged is symbols, nothing tangible. Symbols are arbitrary, fuzzy. For example: when you hear the word dog, some may think of the idea of a dog, others a picture of one, some their dog. The fuzziness is useful since fuzziness can allow for multiple meanings. The use of symbols isn’t straightforward. o Communication as social  To say that communication is social is to limit the phenomena to at least 2people or more. Controversial since intrapersonal communication exists. For this class, we will only focus on communication with 2 or more people.o Communication as intentional  “One can not not communicate” –Watzowick. The newspaper example. We have to decide, is communication something we decide to do? You must distinguish between sender and receiver intentionality. For senders communication is often automatic but always strategic. So it’s always intentional (ex: an interview, being pulled over by a cop, first date). Communication is strategic in the sense that it’s intentional. For receivers,anything can be read as communication. - Initiating and Developing Relationshipso Essential Questions Why do some relationships develop from first meetings but others don’t? How does this development take place, if it takes place?o First meetings are important since relationships are important, and we know this since so many people have trouble with first meetings. People in relationships are happier, healthier, they live longer, and are generally more satisfied with life. o We need a theory as to why direct lines are more successful than lines such as “Please pass the ketchup.”- Social Penetration Theory (SPT)o Relationship development - process of sharing more and more information. There are 4 steps also called the onion model of communication: Orientation- scripted conversation Exploratory Affective (relating to emotion) Exchange- going beyond the scripted conversations. The information exchanged will be more intimate and cover in more depth. Affective Exchange-  Stable Exchange- marked by openness and richness in informationo According to SPT it takes time to move from one stage to another with no skipping of other steps.o The principle measure of SPT is disclosure.o Early on, our disclosure is guided by the norm of reciprocity, meaning if I tell you something, you tell me something of equal value. o In making a cost-benefits analysis on a relationship, you think about the other options you have. Think am I getting what I want from this relationship?  Comparison level- based on past experiences  Comparison level of alternatives- based on other relationships we think could develop.- Social Penetration Theory in Practice: Small Talko When you first meet someone, what you’re first engaging in is small talk. o Characteristics of Small Talk Small talk seems to be safe and scripted. - It’s safe because you talk about safe topics; topics that won’t start arguments or disagreements. It’s also safe because the conversation won’t be too in depth.- It’s scripted because it’s in a simple question/answer conversation.It’s parallel in the sense that I ask, you ask. There are ritualized opening and