INTRODUCTIE
COMMUNICATIEWETENSCHAP
Rosenberry & Vicker – Applied Mass Communication Theory
Potter – Media Literacy
Inleiding
Wat is communicatiewetenschap?
H1: THEORY AND THE STUDY OF COMMUNICATION [ROSENBERRY]
Knowledge, theory, and research are closely related. Theory and research are the basis of
communication and media as a field of study.
Theory= a statement that predicts or explains how certain phenomena are related to one
another. Theories attempt to explain something about the world around us by answering a
question. Seek to answer questions about how certain things are related to one another.
Answering these questions offers explanations or predictions about how some aspect of the
world works.
“The basic aim of science is to explain natural phenomena. Such explanations are called
theories.” – Kerlinger and Lee (2000, p.11)
Everyone knows many things, with this knowledge coming from a wide variety of sources.
Ways of knowing (Knowledge)= Experience: learning from something by participating in it.
Authority: learning something by taking someone else’s word for it. Research / Scientific
knowledge: learning through systematic, accurate observation of evidence in such a way that
it can be verified and validated.
One common way of studying communication practices has its roots in the scientific method.
Draws heavily on observing parts of communicative processes that can be objectively
measured with tools. Communication theory belongs to social sciences = fields of study that
seek to explain how people operate within societies by using careful research to study social
phenomena. Theorizing about and studying communication as a human activity
Communication science= testable theories that explain phenomena associated with
production, processing and effects of symbols and symbol systems used to communicate.
The other major way of learning more about communication and its processes and effects
focuses on interpretation of texts and human actions – Interpretive Theory. Uses the words
or other symbols themselves as well as the symbols’ context and scholar’s own
understandings of similar and different texts and contexts to determine meaning. Context is
crucial to understanding.
Some other types do not just investigate media phenomena but also offer viewpoints about
them. Critical Theory= analysis that seeks to reform media systems that are part of the power
establishment and support the status quo by giving voice to and furthering the influence of a
dominant class. Seeks to reform social reality. Emphasizes the social structures in which
communication takes place and the issues of who controls the communication system and to
what result. Normative Theory= attempt to describe not how things are, but how they should
be according to some ideal standard of social values. Has similarities to critical theory, it
does not accept the status quo as best possible approach, but seek to establish ideal
standards for the way society should operate. Social norms differ from culture to culture.
COMMUNICATIEWETENSCHAP
Rosenberry & Vicker – Applied Mass Communication Theory
Potter – Media Literacy
Inleiding
Wat is communicatiewetenschap?
H1: THEORY AND THE STUDY OF COMMUNICATION [ROSENBERRY]
Knowledge, theory, and research are closely related. Theory and research are the basis of
communication and media as a field of study.
Theory= a statement that predicts or explains how certain phenomena are related to one
another. Theories attempt to explain something about the world around us by answering a
question. Seek to answer questions about how certain things are related to one another.
Answering these questions offers explanations or predictions about how some aspect of the
world works.
“The basic aim of science is to explain natural phenomena. Such explanations are called
theories.” – Kerlinger and Lee (2000, p.11)
Everyone knows many things, with this knowledge coming from a wide variety of sources.
Ways of knowing (Knowledge)= Experience: learning from something by participating in it.
Authority: learning something by taking someone else’s word for it. Research / Scientific
knowledge: learning through systematic, accurate observation of evidence in such a way that
it can be verified and validated.
One common way of studying communication practices has its roots in the scientific method.
Draws heavily on observing parts of communicative processes that can be objectively
measured with tools. Communication theory belongs to social sciences = fields of study that
seek to explain how people operate within societies by using careful research to study social
phenomena. Theorizing about and studying communication as a human activity
Communication science= testable theories that explain phenomena associated with
production, processing and effects of symbols and symbol systems used to communicate.
The other major way of learning more about communication and its processes and effects
focuses on interpretation of texts and human actions – Interpretive Theory. Uses the words
or other symbols themselves as well as the symbols’ context and scholar’s own
understandings of similar and different texts and contexts to determine meaning. Context is
crucial to understanding.
Some other types do not just investigate media phenomena but also offer viewpoints about
them. Critical Theory= analysis that seeks to reform media systems that are part of the power
establishment and support the status quo by giving voice to and furthering the influence of a
dominant class. Seeks to reform social reality. Emphasizes the social structures in which
communication takes place and the issues of who controls the communication system and to
what result. Normative Theory= attempt to describe not how things are, but how they should
be according to some ideal standard of social values. Has similarities to critical theory, it
does not accept the status quo as best possible approach, but seek to establish ideal
standards for the way society should operate. Social norms differ from culture to culture.
