Communications Exam 2

Experiement

Manipulating a variable or 2 & observing the effects of another variable or 2

Advantages of Experiment

-Cause & Effect Relationship
-Gives you control

Limitations of Experiment

Experiments might not be accurate outside the lab

Survey

Involves collecting information from a large group of people on a large group of topics

Advantages of Surveys

-Studies how people perceive their worlds
-Larger samples(compared to experiments)

Limitations of Surveys

People can LIE
1)to mess with you
2) to try and get what you want to hear
3)try and make themselves look good

Available Data

Looking at things that already exist

Advantages of Available Data

-Non-reactive
-Don't have to rely on someone's memory
-Great way to study the past

Limitations of Available Data

Sometimes the data does not exist

Field Research

Observing someone's behavior/communication in the natural setting

Advantages of Field Research

-Watching it in real time(no lying)
-Lets you study things you can't stimulate in a lab

Limitations of Field Research

-NO Control
-Need the ability to be observant in a non-bias way

Unit of Analysis

Individuals
Dyads
Groups
Organizations

Independent Variable

Think Predictor
-Impact on others
-Cause (only in an experiment)

Dependent Variable

Think Outcome
-being influenced/being impacted
-Effect (only in an experiment)

Intervening Variable

In Between predictor & outcomes/independent & dependent

Control Variables

variables researchers want to be held constant throughout the duration on the study

Qualitative Variables

Think Type
-Looking at different categories

Quantitative Variables

Think amount/numbers
-Always counting & comparing

Shape of the Relationship

Positive Relationship: Variables move in the SAME direction
Negative Relationship: Variables more in the OPPOSITE direction
Curvilinear Relationship: Relationship between variables MOVE from one point to another
Independent: NO relationship

Strength of the Relationship: Correlation Coefficient

Further from 0 in either direction (+ or -) = STRONGER

Strength of the Relationship:
Genetic Criteria for Social Sciences

.50(-.50)= STRONG relationship
.30(-.30)= MODERATE relationship
.10(-.10)= SMALL relationship

Abstract

Brief summary of the study

Introduction

Statement of the problem, information we don't have but need

Literature Review

A write up of a relevant study,occurrences,theories, models...

Includes:
Conceptual definitions of Variables
Rational or argument for research questions and/or hypothesis
Research questions and/or hypotheses

Methods Section

Blueprint of the study that has to include enough detail for you to replicate the study

What is in the Methods Section?

-Type of Research
-How was the Study Conducted
-Who
-Operational Definitions

Results/ Findings Section

What they found objectively (not their opinion)
Usually displayed using stats, tables, charts

Discussion Section

Results are restates in "plain english"
Not meant to be objective its meant to be persuasive

What is in the Discussion Section?

-Explanations
-Implications
-Limitations
-Future Directions

Assumptions of Uncertainty Reduction Theory

1) People experience uncertainty in interpersonal settings & generate stress
2)When strangers meet the primary concern is reduce uncertainty & increase predictability
3)Interpersonal comm. is a developmental process that occurs through stages, it is the primary need of uncertainty reduction
4)The quantity and nature of info that people share changes overtime
5) It is possible to predict people's behavior in a law-like fashion

Axioms of Uncertainty Reduction Theory

As Uncertainty decrease, Verbal Comm increases
As Uncertainty decrease, Nonverbal affiliative expressiveness increases
As Uncertainty increases, Information seeking increases
As Uncertainty decrease, Intimacy level of Comm increases
As Uncertainty increases, Reciprocity increases
As Uncertainty decrease, Similarity increases
As Uncertainty decrease, Liking Increases

Passive Strategies

Watching someone without being observed

Active Stratagies

Finding out about a target person by asking a third-party

Interactive Strategies

Obtaining information directly from your target person

Critique for Uncertainty Reduction

- Utility (-)
-Heurism (+)

Social Exchange Theory Terms: Comparison Level

Threshold by which an outcome seems attractive
Minimum amount we should see in a relationship to see as a reward

Social Exchange Theory Terms: Comparison Level for Alternatives

Measure how people evaluate a relationship compared to realistic alternatives to that relationship

Social Exchange Theory: Assumptions about Relationships

1) Relationships are interdependent
2)Relational life is a process

Social Exchange Theory: Assumptions about Humans

1) Humans are rational
2)Humans seek rewards & avoid punishments
3)Humans calculate cost & benefits with varying standards

Basic Premise of Social Exchange Theory

1) People enter relationship/conversations because they are rewarding
2) When we find a relationship/conversation rewarding we want to maintain it
3) When a previously rewarding relationship is no longer rewarding we look for a new and/or better relationship

Critique for Social Exchange

-Heurism(+)
-Scope(-)
-Utility(-)
-Testability(-)

Assumptions of Relational Dialectics Theory

1) Relationships are NOT linear
2) Relational life is characterized by change
3) Contradiction is the fundamental factor for relational life
4) People use communication to manage naturally opposing forces in relational life

Autonomy vs Connection

Conflicting desires to be independent of our significant other and to find intimacy with them at the same time

Novelty vs Predictability

Conflicting desires for the comfort of stability and the excitement for change

Openness vs Protection

Conflicting desires to be open & vulnerable with your significant other and also wanting to be strategic, private, and protective in communication with significant other.

Cyclic Alternation

We choose different poles for different stages of life with our partner

Segmentation

We choose different poles for different context in life

Selection

Choosing one pole and you act as if there is no other option

Critique for Relational Dialectics

-Utility (+)
-Parsimony (+)
-Heurism (+)

Assumptions of Critical Theory of Organizational Comm.

1)Corporations are political as well as economic institutions
2)Comm. is NOT the transmission of info but info perpetuates corporate dominance
3)Comm. is the ongoing social construction of meeting and that issues of power run through all languages & comm.

Information Model

Where a message is treated solely as a message

Communication Model

Considers message, who said it & how it was said

Management Control

Management has primary input in decision making

Codetermination

Employees start to have input into decision making

Quadrants

-Strategy
-Consent
-Involvement
-Participation

Critique of Critical Theory of Organizational Comm.

Logical Consistency (-)
Utility (-)

Assumptions of Organizational Culture Theory

1)Org. members create & maintain a shared sense of org. reality
2)Uses & interpretations of symbols are critical to an org. culture
3)Cultures vary across org.; the interpretations within the subcultures are diverse

Communication Performances: Ritual

Regular & recurring presentations of a workplace

Communication Performances: Passion

How people feel about the org.

Communication Performances: Social

Behaviors used to demonstrate civility & politeness

Communication Performances: Political

Behaviors that demonstrate power,control, & influence

Communication Performances: Enculturation

Stories/behaviors that demonstrate what people think it is

Ritual Performance: Personal

Regular & recurring presentations of a workplace

Ritual Performance: Task

When we do our specific job duties

Ritual Performance: Social

Involve relational maintenance informally

Ritual Performance: Orginizational

Formal event help by the org.

Critique of Organizational Culture Theory

-Logistical Consistency(-)
-Utility(+)
-Heurism(+)