Ch 4 TextNotes
Mapping the Territory (Seven Traditions in the Field of Communication Theory)
Communication theory is the systematic and thoughtful response of communication
scholars to questions posed as human interact with one another - the best thinking within
a practical discipline.
1.The Socio-Psychological Tradition
Communication as Interpersonal Interaction and Influence
believe there are communication truths that can be discovered through careful,
systematic observation.
cause-and-effect approach = predict how people will react
finding causal links = “how do i get them to change”
most prolific theory of the seven
try to focus on what is rather than what ought to be (biased on personal views)
example = the study of which college friendships will survive and thrive after
graduation
often call for longitudinal empirical studies
2.The Cybernetic Tradition
Communication as a System of Information Processing
Cybernetics describes the field of artificial intelligence; illustrates the way
feedback makes information processing possible in our heads and on our laptops.
ex. ww2, firing system upgraded because firing system was adjusted by also
accounting results of past performances
seek to answer… how does the system work? what could it change? how do
we get the bugs out
friendships don’t exist in a vacuum; they are embedded in a network that processes
social information
3.The Rhetorical Tradition
Mapping the Territory (Seven Traditions in the Field of Communication Theory)
Communication theory is the systematic and thoughtful response of communication
scholars to questions posed as human interact with one another - the best thinking within
a practical discipline.
1.The Socio-Psychological Tradition
Communication as Interpersonal Interaction and Influence
believe there are communication truths that can be discovered through careful,
systematic observation.
cause-and-effect approach = predict how people will react
finding causal links = “how do i get them to change”
most prolific theory of the seven
try to focus on what is rather than what ought to be (biased on personal views)
example = the study of which college friendships will survive and thrive after
graduation
often call for longitudinal empirical studies
2.The Cybernetic Tradition
Communication as a System of Information Processing
Cybernetics describes the field of artificial intelligence; illustrates the way
feedback makes information processing possible in our heads and on our laptops.
ex. ww2, firing system upgraded because firing system was adjusted by also
accounting results of past performances
seek to answer… how does the system work? what could it change? how do
we get the bugs out
friendships don’t exist in a vacuum; they are embedded in a network that processes
social information
3.The Rhetorical Tradition
