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The Interpretive Approach For Communication

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The Interpretive Approach to Communication In communication, there are three different approaches: social science, interpretive, and critical. All three approaches differ greatly in their paradigms, or belief systems, on how the study of communication should be approached. Of the three approaches, the Interpretive Approach is the one that suits me the best. Why you might ask? Simply put, it just makes sense. The interpretive Approach, also referred to as the Humanistic Approach, is looking at communication through a system of thoughts that celebrate human nature and it’s potential. Simply put, this approach looks specifically at human nature as it pertains to a specific person, or specific group, as a whole rather than the general consensus. As with the other methods, the Interpretive Approach has it’s own assumptions, theories and methods, ethical issues, and strengths and limitations. When studying communication, there are certain assumptions to be made. These assumptions vary depending on the paradigm that the researcher is following. In the Interpretive Approach, the major assumption is that humans construct their own reality, and researchers must tap into and understand that reality. This could not be truer, as everyone has their own perception of the world around them and reality in general. It is also assumed that the focus will be on the communicator. The Interpretive Approach draws focus on the creativity of humans rather than our predictability. Following the

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