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Lori AveryComm 250 Communications Theory/Spring 2012
Professor Karen Shearer-DunnApril 30, 2012
Communication Theory Scrapbook Project
No. Theory Theorist(s) Entry Example
1. Symbolic ( TheorySymbolic languagewhat is
realcreate our own, looking
glass self and what othersperceive in you.
George HerbertMead
Verbal
communication andmeaning
I am a fan of the 1990s TVshow, Friends. One of the main characters,Monica, has a very strong type A personality, is highly organized and
prides herself on her organization and cleaning skills. In one particular
episode, Monicas Closet , her husband breaks into the Monica mysterycloset to find it full of junk. Monica returns home to find the door to
the mystery closet had been open. She panics and tries to explain thereason behind the closetwas due to the fact that items in the closet
didnt fit into any of her organized buckets or categories. This is a great
example of Meads looking glass self. Monica portrays herself asorganized on the outside, but is really not on the inside.
Source: You Tube The Secret Closet, FriendsApril 29, 2012
2. Expectancy Violation TheoryProxemics/Expected zonesComing in too close
Judee Burgoon
Non-verbalcommunications and
semiotics
I am typically a very open, hug kind of person, especially with someone
that I have an established relationship. I have worked with this oneparticular board member for almost two years in various capacities. He is
very quiet, but very witty. He is soft-spoken, newly married and is a
CPA. After meeting him the first time, I shook his hand. At the next
board meeting, we reconnected and this time, I went to give him a hugand he stepped away. His comment to me was I am not really a hugperson. I was taken by surprise and immediately realized I had violated
his space/interpersonal expectations. He is very warm and welcoming
and is friends with other fellow board memberswho all hug! I made thewrong assumption. So, we continue to meet, shake hands and smile. He
is the only board member who does this while I respect his space andposition on this matter, it still seems strange to me. We are human
services organizationwe are supposed to be warm and hug people!
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Lori AveryComm 250 Communications Theory/Spring 2012
Professor Karen Shearer-DunnApril 30, 2012
3. Semiotics
Significant signs and symbolswith special meaning.
Roland Barthes
Non-verbalcommunication and
semiotics
I was first introduced to Kokopelli during our honeymoon to Santa Fe,
New Mexico twelve years ago. I was not familiar with the legend orsymbol of Kokopelli until our trip and once I became aware of his story
he was everywhereespecially in Santa Fe. From time to time, thesymbol will reoccur in a magazine or newspaper article which will bring a
smile to my face.
The Kokopelli legend is considered to be the Anasazi spirit (and symbol)of fertility who brought well-being to the people. This spirit assured
success in hunting, growing crops, and human conception.
This figure is so prominent in Native American mythology that he has
been compared to Abraham in regards to Judaism or to Paul in regards toChristianity. It is believed, from the study of the history of Kokopelli, that
Kokopelli has been worshiped since at least the time of the Ancient
Pueblo.
The first known images of him appear on pottery that date sometime
between AD 750 and AD 850; however, the earliest known petroglyph of
the figure dates to about A.D. 1000. Kokopellis image has lasted the testof time and has even entered onto the commercial scene.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=clip+art+for+kokipelli&view=detail&id=E9610958AC240276812692CE0F7B73C74F55E40D&first=61&FORM=IDFRIR8/10/2019 2012.4 Comm Theory Scrapbook Final Project
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Lori AveryComm 250 Communications Theory/Spring 2012
Professor Karen Shearer-DunnApril 30, 2012
Growing up in Lancaster County, PA, I was familiar with the tagline,
Lancaster, PAThe Red Rose City. Lancaster is home of AmishCountry, as well. Everything involving a holiday, seasonal tourist
attraction, etc. involves a variation of a red rose. On New Years Eve, ared rose is dropped to celebrate the new year. The Red Rose dates back
to Lancasters deep English history.
4. Social Penetration Theory
Self disclosure via peelingaway the layerssimilar to an
onion.
Irwin Altman &
Dalmas TaylorInterpersonal
communication
I liked the example of the peeling away the layers of anonion outlined
in our text book. The quote below sums up the layers for me:
Perhaps the most important reason for self-disclosure is that without it,we cannot truly love. ~Jourard, Sidney
Until both parties offer full disclosureallowing full breadth and depth in
self disclosure, true love cannot happen for the couple.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=red+rose+of+lanaster+logo&view=detail&id=E2874E5F49B5C7EE2C05EFC537045D91A810EB0F&first=08/10/2019 2012.4 Comm Theory Scrapbook Final Project
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Professor Karen Shearer-DunnApril 30, 2012
It becomes difficult for both parties to self-disclose, especially is one
person has been hurt in a past relationship. Years ago, I was engaged tothe man of my dreams who I met at work. For two years we had a long
distance relationship between Ohio and Pennsylvania. After a six monthengagement, (wedding dress bought, invitations purchased, etc.), I came
home to find a box which has been delivered by UPS that had all of mythings that I had kept at his home in Cleveland during long weekend trips.
He decideddidnt want to get married and that was really the end of the
relationship. This was my first serious relationship and I had certainlyprovided full disclosureas did my fianc. It took me quite some time
before I self-disclosed details about myself once I began dating again.
5. Social Exchange TheoryBased on rewards and costs ofthose involvedhappy if
meets the CLcomparison
level.
John Thibaut &Harold KelleyInterpersonal
communication
GNO examplesget rid of negativityRewards and Costshappy if meets comparison levelOr use Margaret and Brittany
6. Relational DialectsNormal and natural tugs andpulls in a relationshipas the
pendulum swings.
Leslie Baxter &
BarbaraMontgomery
Interpersonalcommunication
My husband and I have been married for twelve years and for the most
part, our pendulum swings in a normal fashion. We are both very muchalike, we enjoy being home, enjoying a glass of wine on the deck on a
Saturday night, we are both pretty low maintenance. However, there havebeen times (and will continue to be) when one of has saidwe should
really go out and do somethinglike go uptown to the museums and walk
around and have dinner afterwards or take Max, our dog, over to theGreenway and walk or Usually one of us will make the decision to
switch things up for a weekend or two and then our pendulum returns tothe normal swing of things.
7. Interactional Viewbased Paul Watzlawick This theory reminds me of someone that I used to work with and several
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Lori AveryComm 250 Communications Theory/Spring 2012
Professor Karen Shearer-DunnApril 30, 2012
on general systems theory
change one part, you changethe whole sum. When things
are going well, conversation iscontent based, when things are
not going well, relationshipmeaning is there.
Relationships within a family
system are interconnected andhighly resistant to change.Communication among members
has a content component and arelationship component thatcenters on issues of control. Thesystem can be transformed only
when members receive outsidehelp to reframe theirmetacommunication.
Interpersonal
communication
other co-workers struck up a friendship between the five of us. We are
have different backgrounds and we were in different phases of life. Fottwo years, we would spend one night per month having a girls night out.
We would have dinner or plan an activity (pottery, jewelry making). Ienjoyed my time with everyone, but one of the ladies become a bit
controlling of the group. If one of us could not make the monthlydinner/activityher attitude would quickly change towards that particular
person. To the point, I just decided to step away from the group.
Interestingly enough, the group fell apart within months. I am the onlyone that remains with the company, but I quickly realized that I my
friends are importantbut, I dont need the negative energyaround me.
She has since dismissed herself from everyone. This individual wouldquickly say You started it, but not coming to the dinner and other
similar comments. Life is too short!
Only child and power
8. ConstructivismIndividuals who are more
cognitively complex in their
perceptions of others have the
mental capacity to constructsophisticated message plansthat pursue multiple goals.
Very person-centered with
communication. The moreinner-traits you can see, the
better.
Jesse DeliaInterpersonal
communications
I recently received a promotion at work and was moved into a more seniorrole and title. In my former role, I was able to work (4) ten hour days and
took Fridays off, unless I needed to attend a meeting or was involved with
a special project. I was fortunate to have this schedule, but with my new
role, I now work five days per week. During a recent conversationbetween my husband and close family membe.r, the family member askedhow I was handling the five day work week. He replied by stating shes
fine, worked many Fridays in her former role, as well. The family
member replied with well, she has a title now and will have to step anddo what it takes. This individual is not very person-centered and is not
self-aware. There are many ways with which she could have replied, forexample: I know you really enjoyed your Fridays off, but this is a great
opportunity for you.
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Lori AveryComm 250 Communications Theory/Spring 2012
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9. Uncertainty Reduction
TheoryBelief that its normal for
people to have doubts aboutour ability to predict the
outcome of initial encounters.The ultimate goal is to figure
how a new person acts.
Charles Berger
Interpersonalcommunication
The first time I met my husbands friends before we were married andafter his divorce, was very intimidating for me. This particular group of
friends were friends with my husband and his former wife. So, I wantedto be on my best behaviorI assumed they would not like me and that I
would not fit in with this group. After almost 15 years later and
reflecting on those initial meetings for purposes of this assignment, Irealized this theory was in full play! It took a bit longer for us to get to
know each other because we were all living in different cities and statesand the core group were in different phases of life. Most of the ladies in
the group reached out to me with non-verbal warmth, but did not allow
much self-disclosure. The guys in the group provided much more verbaloutput. Uncertainty was prevalent on both sides, but we soon found
common ground among each of us. This process took some time.
10. Social InformationProcessing TheoryCommunicating online.
Joseph Walther
Interpersonalcommunication
There are many examples of this theory todayincluding online dating. I
have not ever engaged with on-line dating, but several of my friends haveand my good friend actually married the first person she met online. The
entire process seems creepy to mebut, I have always said, shouldsomething happen to my husband, I will enter the conventnever to
return to the outside world. My friend was very careful and cautious
about which website to use, etc. Once they met and had their first date, it
was a wonderful relationship.
I also think the use of Face Book and other social websites have their
benefits, but I have not jumped on the Face Book band wagon from a
personal standpoint.
I recently connected with my cousin who lives in California we havenever met. We have emailed a few times back and forth since last fall and
it has been fun connecting with he and his family. Its kind of like a
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modern day high tech pen pal. I am able to share with him many stories
from my childhood and share family stories that he was not able toexperience due to living so far away from the rest of the family.
11. Social Judgement Theory
The larger the discrepancybetween a speakers position
and a listeners point of view,the greater the change in
attitudeas long as the
message is within the hearer's
latitude of acceptance. Highego-involvement usuallyindicates a wide latitude of
rejection. Messages that fall
there may have a boomerangeffect.
Muzafer Sherif
Persuasion
/Theories about persuasion/
Latitudes of acceptance
Jury on the Amanda knox caseOJ trial
12. Elaboration Likelihood
ModelMessage elaboration is thecentral route of persuasion
that produces major positiveattitude change. It occurs when
unbiased listeners are
motivated and able toscrutinize arguments that they
consider strong. Message-irrelevant factors hold sway on
the peripheral path, a more
common route that produces
Richard Petty &
John Cacippio
Persuasian
Insert ads for items by celebrity. Ad for Perpheral routeadvertisement
Advertising is a great way to explain
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fragile shifts in attitude.
13. Functional Perspective
Groups make high-qualitydecisions when members fulfill
four requisite functions: (1)problem analysis, (2) goal
setting, (3) identification of
alternatives, and (4)
evaluation of positive andnegative consequences. Mostgroup communication disrupts
progress toward
accomplishing these functionaltasks, but counteractive
communication can bringpeople back to rational
inquiry.
Randy Hirokawa &
Dennis Gouran
Groupcommunication
The network TVshows Celebrity Apprentice and The Apprentice are a
great way to demonstrate Functional Perspective with group
communication. There have been countless episodes during each seasonwhere one team member disagrees with other group members, they
become disruptive to the group which in turn usually has negative resultsfor the project assigned for the week. In these instances, the goal setting
discussions initially begin with positive discussion, but can lead to
negative outcomes as plans and goals are finalized.
14. Cultural Approach to
Organizations
An organization doesnt have a
culture, it is a cultureaunique system of shared
meanings.
Clifford Geertz &
MichaelPacanowsky
Organizational
communication
I used to work for an independent telephone company in Pennsylvania
the D&E Telephone and Telegraph Company. The company was foundedby William Brossman during the early 1920s and when I worked for the
organization, the daughter of the founder was the President & CEO.
While the company was very progressive for a small town organization, ithad a very formal culture. It was an unwritten rule, but fully expected that
female employees did not wear slacks or jeansevery. Casual Friday didnot exist. She was a lovely woman, but had very high expectations for her
staffeven though they were not in writing or policy format.
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Lori AveryComm 250 Communications Theory/Spring 2012
Professor Karen Shearer-DunnApril 30, 2012
15. Critical Theory Approach to
Organizations
Advocating for change, citizenjournalism,
Managers can further acompanys health and
democratic values by
coordinating stakeholder
participation in corporatedecisions.
Stanley Deetz
Organizational
communication
During class discussion surrounding this issue, the movie Erin Brokovich
and the recent story of how one woman was able to change the fee
structure and Bank of America, made me think of the 1999 movie, TheInsider, starring Russell Crowe about the tobacco industry. The Insider
tells the true story of a man who decided to tell the world what the sevenmajor tobacco companies knew (and concealed) about the dangers of their
product. Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) was a scientist employed in
research for a tobacco firm, Brown and Williamson.
16. Narrative ParadigmRhetoic, storytelling, listenersjudge the story by the way it
hangs together and relates tovalues on the ideal audience.
Walter Fisher
Rhetoric
Narrative CoherenceInternal consistency with characters acting in a
reliable fashion the story hangs together. The TV show, The Waltonscomes to mind when I think about narrative paradigm. Each week, the
show would begin with young John Walton talking about his family andsome component that tie into the weeks episode.
17. Cultivation TheorySocial
Learning TheoryViolence in the media -
Refers to the cumulativeprocess by which TV fosters
beliefs about social reality.Resonancethe extent to
which something is congruent
with personal experience.Amplifies real life experience.
Social Learning theoryLearnthrough watching others and
George GerbnerMass media
Albert Bandura
Part of this theory includes resonance which is the extent to whichsomething is congruent with personal experience. When I was 15, my
father passed away suddenly due to a heart attack. For several years after
his death, I had a hard time watching a medical show or any TV show ormovie that featured a heart attack victim, a scene in the hospital, etc.
Regarding the social learning theory, the non-profit that I work for
supports children and adults with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. Our childrens programs are inclusive for children six weeksof age through age six. Our approach is difference doesnt mean deficit
the children mirror each other as children first and help each other alongthe way regardless of their disabilities. They learn through watching
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seek to learn behavior that is
socially rewarding and sociallypunishing.
others in a positive environment.
18. Spiral of SilencePublic opinion
Willingness to speak out ornot, Ash test, give up point of
view to go with the crowd.Emotionally based.
Elisabeth Noelle-
Neumann
Mass media
Politics at present
Social issuesAmmendment Flyerattach.
Rick Santorum and the birth control issue. Regardless of partythingsbecome out of hand very quickly. Things you dont talk about.
19. Agenda Setting TheoryMedia tells us what to thinkand how to think about it
Media, public and policy
Top stories of the daysometimes alter our opinion.
Maxwell McCombs& Donald ShawMass media
How could we not be swayed one way or another by the media thesedays! An example that comes to mind is the Casey Anthony case. Weheard about the case and details for years before she was brought to trial.
I will admit I think she is guilty. But, the media certainly swayed my
opinion and feelings/judgement of her.
20. Face Negotiation TheorySeeks to explain the influence
of cultural differences inresponse to conflict. High
content and low content.
Stella Ting-ToomeyIntercultural
communication
The Amish culture is a very quiet, unassuming culture and group ofpeople. They support each other and among the Amish sect.
21. Speech CodesFamilies are great exampleswhat not to talk about, secrets,
etc. Through ethnography ofcommunication we know all
cultures have multiple speechcodes that involve a distinctive
Gerry Philipsen
Interculturalcommunication
Growing up, my parents never discussed the fact that my father had been
married beforeI never knew. No one ever discussed it including myextended family members. It was as if everyone signed an agreement and
were sworn to secrecy.
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psychology, sociology, and
rhetoric. The meaning of aspeech code is determined by
speakers and listeners, and iswoven into speech itself. Artful
use of the code can explain,predict, and control talk about
talk.
22. Muted GroupTheory/Theories about
Feminist and Gender
CommunicationLanguage has a masculine biasno ones fault.
Murphy Brown
Man-made language aids indefining, depreciating, and
excluding women. Women areless articulate in public
because the words and thenorms for their use have been
devised by men. As womencease to be muted, men will nolonger maintain their position
of dominance in society.
Cheris Kramarae
Feminist & gender
communication
Lyrics to 9-5theme song to the movie, song by Dolly Parton.Tumble outta bed, And I stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition, And yawn and stretch
And try to come to life, Jump in the showerAnd the blood starts pumpin', Out on the streetThe traffic starts jumpin', The folks like me on the job from 9 to 5
Workin' 9 to 5, What a way to make a livin'Barely gettin' by It's all takin' and no givin'
They just use your mindAnd they never give you credit
It's enough to drive you crazyIf you let it
9 to 5, for service and devotionYou would think that IWould deserve a fat promotion
Want to move ahead
But the boss won't seem to let meI swear sometimes that man is out to get me
They let you dream,Just to watch 'em shatter
You're just a step, On the boss-man's ladder
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But you got dreams, He'll never take away
You're in the same boat, With a lotta your friendsWaitin' for the day your ship'll come in
'N' the tide's gonna turnAnd it's all gonna roll your way
They got you where they want you
There's a better life, And you think about it, don't you
It's a rich man's game, No matter what they call itAnd you spend your life, Puttin' money in his wallet
The TV Show Murphy Brown
Clip from More Magazine
23. Standpoint TheoryStrong influence on whatpeople know depends on
where they came from -Vantage pointhard to
understand each others pointof view
Different locations within thesocial hierarchy affect what is
seen. The standpoints of
marginalized people provideless false views of the world
than do the privilegedperspectives of the powerful.
Strong objectivity requires that
Sandra Harding &
Julia T. WoodFeminist & gender
communication
I grew up on a farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and as an only
child, my vantage point was very skewed in an innocent way. Iassumed that every child in the county lived on a farm, had two parents, a
mom who stayed at home, etc. In my mind, everyone had animals, grewtheir own crops, etc. Wow! I was in for a BIG surprise on the first day of
schoolat Drumore Elementary School. I found out not everyone kneweach other, not everyone lived on a farm, some parents worked away from
the home and not everyones mom was waiting for them when they gotoff the school bus each day.
I have worked for a non-profit that supports children and adults with
intellectual and developmental disabilities for almost ten years. Uponarrival with the agency, I had limited experience with someone who had a
developmental disability. For those friends and associates of mine outsideof my work circle, they could not understand how I go to work every day
to help those poor, special people.
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scientific research start from
the lives of women, the poor,gays and lesbians, and racial
minorities.