Human Communication Study Guide Chapter 1 Communication What is it o Communication has been interpreted and defined in a variety of ways o Agreeing on a common definition can be challenging since scholars often approach the study of human behavior from their own perspective and may interpret communication differently o One thing that is commonly agreed upon however is that communication is a social o A social process in which individuals employ symbols to establish and interpret meaning process For our own purposes communication is defined as in their environment What does it mean to be social o Interchange of messages between multiple parties Does a process have a beginning and an end o No What s in a symbol o Concrete symbols represent objects o Abstract symbols represent ideas or thoughts The meaning of it all How do we make sense of messages How does the environment impact message making meaning Making sense of Communication models o Communication as a systematic linear process Source Where the message is coming from Message what goes between senders and receivers Verbal Nonverbal components Verbal the words themselves Nonverbal Everything but the words 60 to 70 percent of what is communicated is nonverbal Receiver audience Channel all of our senses Hear smell taste touch see Also technology Noise things that impede the transmission of the message Types of noise semantic physical physiological psychological Semantic noise disparities in language maybe going to a foreign country and not understanding the language or using words that could have different connotations Physical noise if a fire alarm goes off ringing of phone things like that Physiological noise bodily interference hungry can t hear Psychological noise things that happen in head that make it hard to concentrate life problems Communication as an interaction Additional things to consider o o Feedback Field of experience The communication process becomes more circular No consideration given to those who speaks and who listens The Ethics of Communications o Why study ethics Ethics create a framework in which to make decisions about ethical behavior We advocate truthfulness accuracy honesty and reason as essential to the integrity of communication We endorse the freedom of expression diversity of perspective and tolerance of dissent We strive to understand and respect other communicators We promote access to communication resources and opportunities We promote communication climates of caring and mutual understanding We condemn communication that degrades individual and humanity We are committed to the courageous expression of personal convictions in pursuit of fairness and justice privacy and confidentiality We advocate sharing information opinions and feelings while also respecting We accept responsibility for the short and long term consequences of our own communication and expect the same of others Why should we care about theory o Fosters critical thinking o Aids in the understanding the scope of research o Helps us understand life experiences o Helps us understand our function and who we are in this world Chapter 2 Thinking about the Field Tradition and Context As a discipline the study of communication is extremely diverse Our book looks at traditions intellectual styles and contexts environments within the discipline of communication as a means of making sense of the variety of approaches to studying communication that exists Traditions in the Field Robert Craig believed that separating the study of theory into different traditions categories would help us understand the complex nature of theory development It is important to note that these traditions are not steadfast they change just as the field changes o many theories often cross over traditions or are not easily categorized The Rhetorical Tradition Focuses on most types of public speaking or public address and their roles in society Can also include any elements that relate to language and the audience o o o o o Some topics within the rhetorical tradition persuasion in public address the effect of emotion on audiences How audiences are influenced by mass media appeals The Semiotic Tradition o Deals with the study of signs and their role in society the primary focus is on meaning o Meaning is achieved when a common language is created and shared among the o Some topics within the Semiotic Tradition how words change as the people using them change the multiple meanings associated with words and how they come about The Phenomenological Tradition making people o Looks at a message or communicative situation from a personal perspective o Works to eliminate biases or personal beliefs to uncover the authenticity of a message or dialogue o Some topics within the Phenomenological Tradition how people from different backgrounds or ethnicities interpret a message how gender impacts communicative style The Cybernetic Tradition Considers the study of communication as an information science Looks at the broader systematic nature of communication as a process and focuses on elements within that process Some topics within the Cybernetic Tradition how noise interferes with message understanding processing how technical ability influences communication in computer mediated situations The Socio Psychological Tradition Seeks to understand the causes of behavior as a result of some aspect of communication Focuses mainly on the underlying relationships between variables that exist and how those variables differ depending on the individual or situation Some topics within the Socio Psychological Tradition How message construction influences recall of a message How entertainment choice influences mood The Socio Cultural Tradition Existing shared culture and social structures which are already in place influence communication Scholars in this area advocate for the co creation of social reality to encourage individual points of view Some topics within the Socio Cultural Tradition breaking through the established patterns of communication to highlight individual experience in the communication process studying the development of cliques in school The Critical Tradition o Focuses on the current social order in society and how it negatively impacts society o o o o o o o o o Seeks to expose the underlying beliefs and values within a society that impact decision making and actions Some topics within the Critical Tradition how consolidation of media ownership impacts entertainment
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