Lecture 2 - COMM 300 Aimee King PDF

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COMM 300 Aimee King...

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7 Traditions of Communication Theory Craig’s Definition of the Field • Different categories to study communication • Method (approach) defines communication scholars Different traditions have: 1. Different vocabularies 2. Definitions of communication- each tradition have their own and different definitions of communication

Traditions in the Field of Communication 1. Socio-psychological tradition • Communication- interpersonal interaction and influence • Cause-effect relationships • Explanations • World View 1, the only WVI tradition • The Scientific Method 1. Questions 2. Hypotheses • Examples: Why people choose a majors and how does one become successful in that major 2.

Cybernetic tradition

• Communication- a system of information processing • Communication is the link that creates a system • Systems work together to create a single meaning • quality of message, the understanding- not the content

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• Focuses on the dynamics between the systems; interrelated components form something larger that it was individually • The quality of a message • Examples: Decisions made by CEO impacts the lower level employees (how it moves through the system), What happens when a parent loses a job, how does that effect the family system? 3. Rhetorical tradition • Communication- artful public address • first and oldest tradition • Focuses on the art of arguing and speech making • 1 person communicating to many people, an audience • Blend of art and science• Artistic: wants to stir emotions in rhetoric (pathos) • Scientific: knowing your audience, tailor your message to them • Oratory- how to present oneself/one’s case to a listener • Fundamental features: Argument and beautiful language • Examples: Why was MKL’s Dream speech so effective? 4. Semiotic tradition • Communication- the process of sharing meaning through signs • The study of signs and their meanings • individuals have their own meanings attached to signs • Meanings are fluid • Many semiologist study the meaning of nonverbal signs (clothing, posture, eye gaze, gestures, etc.) • Signs do not have fixed meanings; there is ambiguity in all signs • Examples: meaning of car in PHX vs. NYC vs. TX vs. European countries

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5. Socio-cultural tradition • Communication- the creation and enactment of social reality • Communication creates reality • the way you communicate shapes the way you think, the way people communicate with you shapes who you are • The language you use creates who you are • Social reality constructed by interaction via language • language creates one’s reality • French story is more beautiful than the same story written in English • Language provides the options for how we precise the world; it forms who we are • Examples: no term for the color Green people who speak that language ‘green’ does not exist, language is the strongest PR tool- if we label something differently people perceive it differently (shell shock battle fatigue —> operational exhaustion —> PTSD) • Research examples: language of marriage proposals in different cultures 6. Critical tradition • Communication- a reflective challenge of unjust discourse • Critiquing society: often negative in tone and pessimistic • Challenge status quo • Power to the people • Pointing out injustice • Challenging the social structure • Offended?- you might be benefiting of the social power structure • Concern: Unjust distribution of suffering in the world; haves vs. have-nots • Concerns of the Critical Tradition: 1. Language to perpetuate power imbalances 2. Mass media dulling sensitivity to repression 3. Science 3

7. Phenomenological tradition • Communication- the experience of self and other through dialogue • Pure WVII tradition, an individual’s life experience • Analysis of everyday life from the perspective of the person living it. • Perception, interpretation, subjective experience are important, focus is on the individual • Goal is to understand another’s lived experience- to walk in another’s shoes • Example: how 1 student was able to cope with the loss of a parent in freshman year of college

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