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Communications 100- Communication Theory
Midterm
94
Other
Undergraduate 2
05/04/2009

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Term
Media Literacy
Definition
Perspective we actively use when exposed to media in order to interpret meaning of messages
Term
Knowledge Structures
Definition
-Who owns / controls medium
-why some content appears regularly, others don't
-historical development of media
-create personal perspectives --> media literacy
-can't only look at content
-more knowledge structures -->broader perspectives
Term
Building good knowledge structures
Definition
skills, exposure, real-world experience
Term
4 Types of Information (Knowledge Structures)
Music Example
Definition
cognitive (facts, who made it), emotional(personal investment), aesthetic (senses, how it's produced), moral (morality of engaging w/ this media)
w/ music:
cognitive = artists, songs, release dates
emotional = memories evoked
aesthetic = how to produce message (editing, lighting, sound)
moral = values, judge goodness, empathize
Term
Low Media Literacy
Definition
only surface meaning, don't see deficiencies
passive audience, media in control, take messages as fact
Term
Higher Media Literacy
Definition
place messages in context (of knowledge structures), can interpret in different dimensions
-->more choices of meaning
select what's useful from several points of view
-->viewer has control of beliefs and behavior
Term
Objectivist Theory
Definition
universal laws, general knowledge
quantitative experiments, surveys
one truth only, discover reality
determinism, forces shaping action
value neutral, separate facts and values
Term
Interpretivist Theory
Definition
Local Knowledge, focus on unique situation
qualitative textual analysis, ethnography
negotiate subjective meanings, multiple realities
free will, conscious choices
value-laden, socially relevant research
Term
Resonance Principle
Definition
Most successful persuasive messages evoke past experiences
Term
Redemption Myth
Definition
object of desire, obstacles, motivation to seek desired object (guilt), way to get rid of guilt
Term
Monster.com ad: interpretive and objective
Definition
Interpretive: resonance principle (kids say what they do when they want to grow up-->evokes childhood memories)
Ad is a redemption myth (way to "purge" guilt over not accomplishing what they wanted to
-object of desire = fulfillment @ work
-obstacles = workplace realities
-motivation = guilt / awareness of a "lack"
-purging of guilt = monster.com
Term
Perspective by incongruity
Definition
2 items brought together that don't fit
ex: monster.com: kids and workplace
Term
Ways of knowing: objective and interpretive
Definition
objective: discover truth
interpretive: our perceptions of reality are different
Term
Human Nature: objective and Interpretive
Definition
Objective: human behavior can be explained & predicted
Interpretive: humans are free to make choices
Term
Soft-determinism
Definition
free will but predictable
objectively predictable, subjectively free
Term
Values & Research: objective and interpretive
Definition
objective: we are value-free, shouldn't let values play a big part
Interpretive: can't prevent values from influencing research
-should have values as basis for research
Term
Emancipatory values
Definition
want to make life better = the reason for research
Term
Purpose of Theory: Objective and Interpretive
Definition
Objective: discover laws
Interpretive: we only have local knowledge, can't assume there are universal laws, no large generalizations
-study each thing in its uniqueness

abstract / general v. unique / particular
Term
Research Methods: objective and Interpretive
Definition
Objective: surveys, quantitative
Interpretive: qualitative: textual analysis, ethnography (participant observation), explain from subject's perspective
Term
Requirements of a Good Theory
Definition
1. Explanation
2. Prediction
3. Simplicity
4. Testability
5. Utility
Term
Explanation as requirement for good theory
Definition
explain event / instance of human behavior
order / clarity for chaos
focus on what is important, leave out peripheral
Term
Prediction as requirement for good theory
Definition
forecast what will happen given certain causes
predict for aggregate not individuals
no certainty
Term
Simplicity as requirement for good theory
Definition
Direct, concise, not ambiguous
But: don't sacrifice complexity of reality for simplicity
Term
Testability as requirement of good theory
Definition
confirms theory
falsifiable (if not falsifiable, it's not testable)
Term
Utility as requirement for good theory
Definition
offers practical help
Term
Soft predictive power
Definition
can predict for aggregate not individuals
Term
Requirements of good Interpretive Theory
Definition
1. New Understanding of people: new insights, subjective understanding NOT objective explanation, participant in what you see
2. Clarification of values: look at values in operation during communication, bring your own values in, trying to bring about better world
3. Aesthetic appeal: form can stimulate reader as much as content
4. Community agreement: support from scholarly community, evaluation -> rhetorical validity
5. Reform of society: has social impact, can change way of thinking
Term
Defining Communication
Definition
1. social: people, interactions b/t sender and receiver
2. Process: ongoing, no beginning / end, relates to past present and future comm
3. Symbol: arbitrary label / representations. words symbols for things, product of convention, agreed-upon meaning
4. Meaning: what people get from a message, can have more than on, relatively finite, agreed-upon meanings, some ambiguity
5. Environment; situation / context for comm (time place period background)
Term
Intentionality Debate
Definition
is all behavior communication?
Do people have to be engaged in comm?
stomach growling, cultural differences (American businessman in Saudi Arabia)
Term
Models of understanding communication
Definition
1. Communication as action: source sends message to receiver
2. comm as interaction: sender -> receiver -> sender (feedback)
3. Transaction: simultaneously sending and receiving, cooperative process, mutually responsible
Term
Challenge of communication
Definition
can't solve all problems, don't always communicate well, sarcasm / manipulation / aggression / deception, conflicts of interest --> not motivated to communicate in an ideal way
Term
Communication Ethics
Definition
Ethics: perceived rightness of action or behavior
=foundation of culture / civilization
as long as most are ethical, society functions
in comm: ethics involved with messages influence people
Term
Unethical communication
Definition
ex: stereotypes, plaigiarism
--> distrust --> all comm is weakened
Term
Ethics: principle-based approach v. consequence approach. Atomic bomb example
Definition
In principles: must be able to generalize principle
ex: principle-based: "bomb was good" can't be generalized.
Consequence-approach: War would have continued w/o bomb
Term
Principle v. consequence based approach to ethics: The Insider example (movie)
Definition
Principle-based: should run story, truth wins
consequence approach: damage to company isn't worth it
Term
James Kerry
Definition
transcended ideological / narrow views of comm & applied it to society
Comm = transmission of info or ritual
Emphasizes ritual view
Term
Constituative View of Communication
Definition
Communiaiton constitutes reality
Term
Transmission View
Definition
sending / giving info over distance for the purpose of control
Situate theories within time / history
Common in industrial societies
Societies are complex, comm to unite heterogenous group (controlling how they think in interest of unity)
ex: education system standardizes, is necessary to have shared meaning
Info from center to nation
Term
Ritual view
Definition
Comm defined in terms of participation, fellowship, sharing
associated w/ premodern societies
More face-to-face comm
communicate to share feelings --> more emotionally connected
comm related to time, continuity, celebrating what makes you a member (ex: religoius connection)
continually reproducing connection throgh comm
representing shared beliefs, NOT ransmitting info
comm = sacred ritual that draws people together
constructs & maintains ordered social world
-projection of ideals (plays, architecture, dance)
-symbolic order that confirms your identity
-ongoing social process
Term
Why ritual view ignored in U.S.
Definition
1. Culture ignored b/c individuality = priority
2. Puritan background (protestant ethic). Unpractical behavior devalued
3. Separate science from culture to avoid bias
Term
Newspapers: transmission v. ritual view
Definition
transmission: spreads news, info
ritual: reading paper to confirm worldview not to learn something new
-gives order to life of readers
-news doesn't change
-become member of "adult, informed" community
Term
Symbols as representations "for" reality
Definition
Experience world through meanings we give it
no "pure" experience of reality
reality s produced, maintained, repaired, & transformed through symbolic comm
our use of language is itself reality
no culture apart from language
Term
Symbols as representations "of" reality
Definition
Presumed that reality pre-exists
transmission view: communication about reality
Term
Universalism
Definition
cultural developmentalist approach
one truth, one standard
cultural differences exist, but shouldn't
value cultures w/ high economic development
values science as road to truth
Term
Cultural relativist approach
Definition
There is a lack of cultural understanding
Shouldn't set ideals of 1 culture as standard
all cultures are equal, progress in different areas
Have to understand practices of other cultures b/f judging
*Dialogue among equals to solve cultural differences (practical approach)
requires comm, open-mindedness, time, resources
Term
Negotiating biomedics & sprirituality
Definition
--> new field of cross-culture medicine
Deal w/ emotional, mental, physical aspects of disease
Get rid of "compliance" which promotes hierarchy
Biomedics has its own culture
Each culture has right to make decisions based on ideals w/o outside interference
Term
Critical Approach
Definition
Allow under-represented voices to be heard by critically looking at who benefits from certain practices / ideas (awareness w/o practical implications)
Bring about human emancipation, end to oppression
See contradictions in American ideological structure
Gov. should go out of its way to give oppressed rights
Term
Solutions from 3 theoretical perspectives (developmentalist, relativist, critical)
Definition
developmentalist: provide expertise for achieving econ. development
relativist: need cultural knowledge of other to prevent misunderstanding --> dialogue, negotiate differences
critical: prevent power in hands of dominant groups --> every voice is heard
Term
Types of comm from 3 theoretical perspectives
Definition
developmentalist: teacher / studet, learn from U.S.
relativist: equal exchange, listen, understand, empathy
critical: protest, advocacy, persuasion, encouraging oppressed voice
Term
Type of Theory from 3 Theoretical perspectives
Definition
developmentalist: objective, one human way of life
relativist: interpretive, culture = product of human nature
critical: usually interpretive, who has power to determine culture? unequal contest, never at equilibrium
Term
Theoretical assumptions of intercultural comm field
Definition
1. culture changes slowly
2. existence of a national culture
3. Different culural logics
-culture = system w/ organizing pricniple behind it
-ex: U.S. = individualism, equality, direct / low-context comm style
4. cultural / ethical relativism
-none are superior, no cultural standards
-understand every culture on its own terms
Term
Practical value of theory about American comm style
Definition
interested in results
-used for training for going abroad, diplomacy
understand other cultures
understand yourself -> self-awareness
Know what to expect as a visitor, how Americans expect you to act
Term
Straight talk of Americans
Definition
spontaneous, natural, uncontrived, plain speech
no subtlety, unnuendo, irony
get to the point, face the facts
--> why Americans hate politicians
Comes from American belief in equality
-no feudal system, not controlled speech trying to please superior
product of individualism
-believe yourself sufficient -> free to say what's on your mind
Term
Low-context American style communication
Definition
low context: whole message is in words, clear unambiguous
high-context: need to know person, context, culture (ex: twins), closer relations
-America: not close relations
-some small towns, largely nation of immigrants, big cities, simpler language
don't share much w/ others
responsibility on speaker to be clear (high context: listener's duty to understand)
Term
American Directness
Definition
honest, to the point
euphamism and softening is irritating
Term
Exceptions to straight talk
Definition
Feedback: positive first, qualify negatives to soften
Confrontations: avoid getting personally involved, want to be liked
Qualify "no"
Exaggeration
Political correctness
Term
Americans in business
Definition
get straight to business, no relationship, opportunistic
Term
Reconsideration of American comm: exceptions
Definition
manipulation, advertising, use non-straight talk to get what we want
Term
Evolutionary Psychology: gender differences, major claims
Definition
objectivist, knowledge is universal, human nature fixed, humans are predictable
Major claims: men control power & resources, adapted to different evolutionary obstacles
Term
Feminist response to EP claims
Definition
1. patterns of complementary equality
2. interdependent families: unit, not individuals
3. Paternity certainty:control sexuality so they know their genes are replicated
4. double standard
Term
Feminists on sex differences
Definition
Sex differences are arbitrary (social construction)
Knowledge is local, not universal
male / female minds not fixed
humans are creative not simply predictable
1. humans are meaning makers
2. socailly constructed--> hierarchy, the beauty myth
Term
EP response to feminism
Definition
cultural variety in gender roles exist (ex: male aggressiveness)
interactional model: nature and nurture
confluence model: men prefer sex w/ more partners to spread their seed
*need environmental influences
Term
Radical & Liberal feminism
Definition
radical: we are socially conditioned to believe in gender differences
Liberal: could be biological differences
Term
EP on radical feminism
Definition
dangers b/c puts pressure on women, forces them to be something they don't want to be. separate can be equal
Term
Are men necessary?
Definition
EP: yes, to replicate
Feminism: No, then women can live w/o oppression
Term
Return to traditional gender roles
Definition
men would rather marry women w/ subordinate jobs (women penalized for being too independent)
Term
Non- EP reasons for return to traditional roles
Definition
sociological; baby boomers make the grind seem unappealing. Realization you can't do both
Term
dowd's view on return to tradition
Definition
progress that women no longer try to imitate men
on beauty myth: not being controlled by beauty industry but harnessing it. atmosphere of choice
Term
Beauty myth
Definition
beauty = fertility, so men want them
Term
Feminist Response to beauty myth
Definition
beauty is socially constructed
Beauty industry owned by men --> men rule world by making women obsessed w/ beauty, competition with each other
Term
Social penetration theory
Definition
Relational development
linear
Term
Stages of social penetration
Definition
objectivist
depth/breadth of self-disclosure
reciprocal
Term
4 Stages of Relational Development
Definition
Surface: orientation, small talk
Peripheral: exploratory affective exchange (nonverbal comm shows desire to know person better)
immediate: affective exchange
central: stable exchange
Term
Relational dialectics
Definition
Swinging - no ultimate stable exchange
Term
Social exchange theory
Definition
cost / benefit analysis
past relationships
alternatives
Term
criticism of social exchange theory
Definition
doesn't account for people who don't calculate cost benefit, altruism
Term
Relational Systems Theory
Definition
Cybernetics, circular causality
1. whole is more than sum of its parts
2. hierarchy of systems
3. content v. relational messages (content = substance, relational = state of relationship)
Term
General patterns of comm
Definition
symmetry: similar behavior
complementarity: different contrasting behavior, but fits together
Term
Favorable / unfavorable patterns of comm
Definition
favorable: flexible, switch roles
unfavorable: always paying same roles, escalating competetive symmetry
Term
Negative effects of individual approach to comm
Definition
1. we think we're losing integrity when listening to other points of view
2. criticism seems unjustified -> counterattacks
3. mentality of each against the other
Term
4 types of relational intelligibility
Definition
1. internal others: voice in your head
2. conjoint relations: focus on on blame, but how together we create meanings (look at relationship)
3. group realities: act how we do b/c of our gorup
4. systemic process: all events influence each other and are influenced by larger social world
Term
Booth's idea of rhetoric + advantages and disadvantages
Definition
truth discovered by reason, through emotion
truth of theory must be reflected in practice (pragmatic approach), good rhetoric builds trust and character, multiple truths, no certainty, free from formal logic
advantages: create understanding, avoid violence, promote quality of relationships
disadvantages: produces misunderstanding
Term
Judging rhetoric
Definition
Intention, skill
Term
Win rhetoric
Definition
honest: right, honest methods
dishonest: will win at all costs
Term
bargain rhetoric
Definition
1. diologic; compromise
2. don't stand up to enemy
3. bad at bargaining, conceal hopes and wishes
Term
listening
Definition
to get at truth behind differences
1. rhetorology: deep proping for common ground based on trust
2. listen even to dogmatists
3. listen closely to outsmart them, ignore true interests
4. self-censorship: give in, pretend to be persuaded
5. committed to listening even when disaster results (appeasement)
Term
Rhetoric in politics, media, and education
Definition
media; broadcasted. problems w/ only accommodating local audience. urgest rhetorology in politics. unconscoius misleading AND deliberate misleading
Education: must be educated in rhetoric for democracy
Term
Generative criticism
Definition
we have formal theories but must be creative sometimes ex: use literary criticism to look at obama's speech
Term
political romance and the american dream
Definition
narrative w/ hero to a degree
Term
why american dream was linked w/ conservatives
Definition
rhetoric narrative victory
Term
The Pentad
Definition
act: what agent: who agency: how scene: where purpose: what agent is trying to achieve
Term
Pentad and Obama's American Dream
Definition
scene: result of historical, social, cultural factors.
Americans are 1 nation, despite differencees
success depends on individual and society
agency: how to achieve. balance personal and societal
agent; society and obama
politics of hope, for good of society. combine personal and community effort
Term
Last Chance in Texas: requirements for recovery
Definition
communication/expression
awarness of the problem/issue
determination to change
help of others (psychologists and Giddings pals)
Term
Factors of reduced crime rate
Definition
economic prosperity
decrease hard drug market
community policing
less access to guns
community intervention in gang wars
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