SCOM 240-EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
Theories: Boorman - Answer -"An umbrella term for all careful, systematic, and self
conscious discussion and analysis of comm phenomena"
Theories:Burgoon - Answer -"A set of systematic hunches about how things operate"
Theories:Einstein - Answer -"It is the theory that describes what can be observed"
Hunches - Answer -Involves speculation (have prior knowledge); not one isolated idea;
offers an explanation; indicates scope
Commonsense - Answer -Based on own experience
Working theory - Answer -Generalization about the best techniques for doing
something more systematic
Scholar theory - Answer -Systematic research
Purpose of theories? - Answer --to understand things
-to suggest improvements
-guides for interpretation of behaviors
Evaluating a theory; is it...? - Answer --accurate
-practical
-succinct (easy to understand)
-consistant
-acuity (does it help you see better)
Logical consistency - Answer -Do the claims match the assumptions?
Scope - Answer -What are the boundaries of the theories explanation?
Jahari window - Answer -What people disclose about themselves (think Punnent
square)
Parsimony - Answer -Is it simple enough to explain the phenomenon under
consideration?
Utility - Answer -Is it useful and practical?
What do theories range from?q - Answer -Objective (Scientific-Quantitative) to
Interpretive (Qualitative)
, Heurism - Answer -Evolves because there is a presented way of think about
communication
Test of Time - Answer -How long can a theory be tested and used?
Behavioral approach - Answer -Scientific Method;
-truth is singular
-access reality through our senses
-helps understand the world
-theory mirrors nature
-tabula rasa (blank slate)
Humanistic approach - Answer -Interpretive;
-truth is subjective
-knower cannot be separated from the known
-successful interpretations can convince others
Objectivity - Answer -personal values shouldn't distract reality
Emancipation - Answer -aiming to get people involved, understand values
(O or I) Experiments - Answer -Objective
(O or I) Experimental Procedures - Answer -Objective
(O or I) Surveys - Answer -Objective
(O or I) Text Analysis - Answer -Interpretive
(O or I) Ethnography - Answer -Interpretive
Human nature: Determinism - Answer --heredity
-environment
-scientific
-beyond control
Human nature: Free Will - Answer --voluntary (nurture)
-conscious choice
-significant decisions
Traditions - Answer --socio-psycho ---->most objective
-cybernetics
-rhetorical
-semiotics
-socio-cultural
-critical
Theories: Boorman - Answer -"An umbrella term for all careful, systematic, and self
conscious discussion and analysis of comm phenomena"
Theories:Burgoon - Answer -"A set of systematic hunches about how things operate"
Theories:Einstein - Answer -"It is the theory that describes what can be observed"
Hunches - Answer -Involves speculation (have prior knowledge); not one isolated idea;
offers an explanation; indicates scope
Commonsense - Answer -Based on own experience
Working theory - Answer -Generalization about the best techniques for doing
something more systematic
Scholar theory - Answer -Systematic research
Purpose of theories? - Answer --to understand things
-to suggest improvements
-guides for interpretation of behaviors
Evaluating a theory; is it...? - Answer --accurate
-practical
-succinct (easy to understand)
-consistant
-acuity (does it help you see better)
Logical consistency - Answer -Do the claims match the assumptions?
Scope - Answer -What are the boundaries of the theories explanation?
Jahari window - Answer -What people disclose about themselves (think Punnent
square)
Parsimony - Answer -Is it simple enough to explain the phenomenon under
consideration?
Utility - Answer -Is it useful and practical?
What do theories range from?q - Answer -Objective (Scientific-Quantitative) to
Interpretive (Qualitative)
, Heurism - Answer -Evolves because there is a presented way of think about
communication
Test of Time - Answer -How long can a theory be tested and used?
Behavioral approach - Answer -Scientific Method;
-truth is singular
-access reality through our senses
-helps understand the world
-theory mirrors nature
-tabula rasa (blank slate)
Humanistic approach - Answer -Interpretive;
-truth is subjective
-knower cannot be separated from the known
-successful interpretations can convince others
Objectivity - Answer -personal values shouldn't distract reality
Emancipation - Answer -aiming to get people involved, understand values
(O or I) Experiments - Answer -Objective
(O or I) Experimental Procedures - Answer -Objective
(O or I) Surveys - Answer -Objective
(O or I) Text Analysis - Answer -Interpretive
(O or I) Ethnography - Answer -Interpretive
Human nature: Determinism - Answer --heredity
-environment
-scientific
-beyond control
Human nature: Free Will - Answer --voluntary (nurture)
-conscious choice
-significant decisions
Traditions - Answer --socio-psycho ---->most objective
-cybernetics
-rhetorical
-semiotics
-socio-cultural
-critical
