Communication Theories and Application Worksheet
Fill out the different cells with regard to each theory definition. You are to identify the theory the example represents, who developed the theory (theorist), explain the relevance of the theory, and then provide your own personal or professional application example of the theory.
Theory Definition Identify the Theory Theorist(s) Relevance of Theory Application Example from your Personal or Professional Life
Theory explains why as relationships develop, communication moves from less intimate levels to more intimate, more personal levels. Social Penetration Theory Altman and Taylor Self-disclosure may lead to long-lasting relationship. When meeting new individuals to initiate
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Uses and Gratifications Theory Katz, Blumler, and Gurevitch Seek information to make decisions or gain insight on certain topics Some of the information retrieved from the media may cause individuals to have a negative outlook. For example so individuals who constantly view violent news segments may believe the world is a violent place
Theory explains why parties to communication experience conflicting pulls causing relationships to be in a constant state of flux. The closer individuals become to one another, the more conflict will arise to pull them apart. Cognitive Dissonance Theory Festinger Seek assurance after making a difficult decision The uncertainty once a decision is made seeking approval of others
Theory explains meanings for routine organizational events, thereby reducing the amount of cognitive processing and energy members need to expend throughout the day. Organizational Information Theory Weick Making sense of equivocal information The reasons why some decisions are made within an organization
Theory explains how different cultures manage conflict and communication. The theory explains that the root of conflict is based on identity management on an individual and cultural level. Communication Accommodation Theory Giles Shifting communication styles Exchanging information to accommodate an audience
Theory explains how individual act toward things on the basis of the meanings they ascribe to those things. The meaning comes
The communication cycle is a commonly used theory of communication. It was first developed by Charles Berner in 1965; it was then modified by Michael Argyle, who was a social psychologist, in 1972. The concept of a ‘communication cycle’ makes it clear that, in order to have effective communication, it must be a two way process. As well as transferring messages to others in a definite, clear way, health care professionals must be able to respond to the verbal feedback as well as the non-verbal feedback. So, effective communication has to involve effort from both participators (both the sender as well as the receiver) in the communication.
This assignment will start by discussing two well-known theories known as ‘the cycle of communication’ by Michael Argyle and ‘the stages of communication’ by Bruce Tuckman. Firstly, it will look at Michael Argyle’s ‘The cycle of communication’.
2) A theory is defined as an organized set of concepts that explains a phenomenon or set of phenomena. - True
By applying these interpersonal communication theories, I will be able to further explain the reasoning behind the dysfunctional occurrences throughout their relationship. III. Theory 1: Social Penetration Theory A.
Theories play a vitally important role in guiding research and organizing and making sense of research findings. In spite of the great importance of theory-building and theory testing within your field of specialization, there is no generally accepted conception of what a theory is. Because your dissertation must contribute to theory, you must have a clear understanding of the variety of conceptions of theory, types of theories, and ways of contributing to theory and be able to justify how, exactly, your study contributes to theory.
A theory is an explanation of why or how things are related to each other (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Additionally, a theory is defined as a plausible or scientifically acceptable principle, or a body of principles, offered to explain phenomena (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2017). Furthermore, crime theories examine and attempt to identify relationships among humans, criminal behavior, and specific factors such as biological factors, psychological factors, sociological factors, and economic factors (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Since we have defined a theory, let us further discuss how theories are created beginning with the components of a theory.
Interpersonal communication is the understanding of sending and receiving messages by verbal and nonverbal messages within a relationship (Pritchett, 1993). The characters of Modern Family form interpersonal relationships with each other and also members outside of their family. Social Penetration Theory and Uncertainty Reduction Theory discuss interactions and motivations in the early stages of an interpersonal relationship.
According to Payne (2005), a theoretical framework serves as a guide in a research study and can help us determine what decisions we need to make how to choose between alternative choices and solutions. From the social work perspective, a theory is “a construction, interacting with a real world of social relations, but because it is a construction, we are able to adapt and develop it as we practice, just as we can help clients to develop and adapt by our practice. To do so, we need to have ideas to direct, manage and inform what we do” (Payne, 2005, p.4). A simple definition by a theorist scholar Bent Goodley (2009) describing a theory as a language for us to move from observation to another and this what make us think about different situations. A theory can explain these situations directly
Goodson (2010) defines theoretical thinking as the dynamic process of asking specific types of questions that focus on causes and obtaining answers to explain why phenomena occur. In other words, to think theoretically means applying a theory to conceptualize and to solve a problem. It requires extensive knowledge and consistent practice to approach unfamiliar problems and to find creative solutions (Goodson, 2010). Goodson (2010) later asserts that theory is “the end result [and] the outcome” of theoretical thinking (p. 8). By definition, theory “is a set of interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of events or situations by specifying relations among variables…” (Glanz & Viswanath, 2015, p. 24).
Theory is defined as “a set of interrelated relational statements about a phenomenon that is useful for description, explanation, prediction, and prescription or control” (Walker & Avant, 2011, p. 193). A theoretical approach of a phenomenon is constructed to answer questions and provide new perspectives into the nature of the phenomenon, attempting to establish a model that can be applied to different situations, and deliver a clear idea of the phenomenon, what affects it and how it may affect what surrounds it (Walker & Avant, 2011).
Communication theories helps organizations determine how to approach and address health issues. The two communication theories used in spreading the dangers of smoking tobacco among Georgia smokers includes the Persuasion Theory and Mass and New Media Communication Theory. The target audience plays a role in the decision of which theory to optimize. Youth seem to respond to social media network communication, such as Facebook and Twitter as the adults seem to respond to TV or billboard ads that display graphic images of health issues related to smoking tobacco.
A theory is primarily meant to explain or predict an event, behaviour or outcome. Proponents of a theory look for evidence to support the theory. This evidence should be independently observed and consistent after repeated observations. Some theories are speculative or ideas or guesses floated to encourage researchers to undertake the observations required to prove or disprove the theory. The question often debated is what comes
In the world of communication, there are many theories which describe different ways people communicate. According to Doctor Thomas Hanitzsch, an associate professor of communication at the University of Munich in Germany, “Communication Theory is an international forum publishing high quality, original research into the theoretical development of communication from across a wide array of disciplines” (“Communication Theory”). A specific communication theory that will be highlighted is the Face-Negotiation theory developed by Stella Ting-Toomey. Simply stated, Dr. Ting-Toomey suggests that conflict is a consequence of identity management on an individual and cultural level, and occurs when an individual or group’s face is threatened.
the theory because its main problem is also its main goal, to give a simplified
Creating a theory for a topic you have interest in, takes researching itself. It is necessary to collect literature about the chosen topic and to examine it. Compiling literature gives you more of an awareness on your topic as well as possible examples to further expand your knowledge on it. You want to add to the research that is already available on your topic as well as configure questions that are beneficial to your research. This process of finding literature may change your topic and theory a bit before you come up with a final question. Once a practical and alluring topic is picked, literature