Communication Theory and Psychology Lecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering objective and interpretive scientific standards, correlation, conditioning, Social Learning Theory, schemata, mental models, Symbolic Interactionism, Expectancy Violations Theory, Social Penetration Theory, Uncertainty Reduction Theory, Relational Dialectics, and Cognitive Dissonance.

Explanation of data

An objective standard for scientific theories where the theory explains why something happens.

Prediction of the future

An objective standard for scientific theories where the theory forecasts what will happen.

Relative simplicity

An objective standard for scientific theories stating that the simplest explanation wins (Occam's razor).

Testable hypothesis

An objective standard for scientific theories where the theory can be proven wrong (falsifiable).

Practical utility

An objective standard for scientific theories meaning that people can actually use the theory.

Quantitative research

An objective standard for scientific theories supported by numbers and measurement.

Clarification of values

An interpretive standard that reveals the theorist's values and the values in what is being studied.

New understanding of people

An interpretive standard that gives fresh insight into the human experience.

Aesthetic appeal

An interpretive standard where a theory is well crafted, elegant, and compelling to read.

Community of agreement

An interpretive standard where respected scholars in the field accept the theory.

Reform of society

An interpretive standard where a theory pushes for social change.

Qualitative research

An interpretive standard supported by close study of texts and lived experience.

Correlation

A relationship where two variables change together, which does not prove that one causes the other.

Positive correlation

A type of correlation where both variables go up together.

Negative correlation

A type of correlation where one variable goes up while the other goes down.

No correlation

A relationship where there is zero connection between two variables.

Confirmation bias

Noticing and believing information that supports what you already think while ignoring information that does not.

Classical conditioning

Pavlov's theory where an automatic, involuntary response gets paired with a new stimulus.

Operant conditioning

Skinner's theory where voluntary behavior is shaped by its consequences.

Positive reinforcement

Adding something good to increase a desired behavior.

Negative reinforcement

Removing something bad to increase a desired behavior.

Positive punishment

Adding something bad to decrease an unwanted behavior.

Negative punishment

Removing something good to decrease an unwanted behavior.

Primary reinforcers

Reinforcers that satisfy a biological need on their own, such as food, water, and warmth.

Secondary reinforcers

Conditioned reinforcers that are valuable because they are linked to primary ones, such as money, grades, and praise.

Social Learning Theory (SLT)

Bandura's theory explaining the conditions required for reproducing a modeled behavior.

ARRM

The four conditions for reproducing modeled behavior in Social Learning Theory: Attention, Retention, Reproduction, and Motivation.

Schemas

Mental frameworks that organize knowledge.

Person schema

Expectations about specific people or types of people.

Self schema

Beliefs about yourself.

Role schema

Expected behavior for a social role.

Event schema (script)

An expected sequence of events.

System model

A mental model representing an understanding of how something works.

Event model

A mental model representing a specific situation as you experience or read about it.

Social constructionism

The idea that reality and meaning are created through social interaction rather than being fixed or natural.

I

In Symbolic Interactionism, the spontaneous, impulsive, creative part of the self.

Me

In Symbolic Interactionism, the self as an object, composed of internalized views of how others see you.

Looking glass self

Cooley's concept that you see yourself based on how you imagine others see you.

Perspective taking

Imagining yourself from others' viewpoints, including the generalized other.

Minding

The inner dialogue or pause where you test responses before acting.

Expectancy Violations Theory

Burgoon's theory examining competing desires for closeness versus personal space and how people react when space expectations are violated.

Threat threshold

The distance at which someone getting too close makes you feel physically and psychologically uncomfortable.

Social Penetration Theory

Altman & Taylor's theory (the onion model) stating that relationships develop through self-disclosure breadth and depth.

Self-disclosure

Voluntarily sharing personal information, which acts as the engine of relationship success.

Reciprocity

The pattern where disclosure tends to be matched by equal disclosure, especially early in a relationship.

Depenetration

The gradual reduction in depth and breadth of disclosure when a relationship declines.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Berger's theory stating that when meeting someone new, our main goal is to reduce uncertainty to predict and explain their behavior.

Attribution theory

Heider's theory explaining that we view others' behavior as either internal (personality) or external (situation).

Passive strategy

An information seeking strategy where you observe someone without interacting with them directly or asking others.

Active strategy

An information seeking strategy where you gather information without talking to the person directly, such as asking a mutual friend.

Interactive strategy

An information seeking strategy where you talk to the person directly and ask questions.

Relational Dialectics

Baxter & Montgomery's theory that relationships experience ongoing, dynamic tensions between opposing pulls.

Cognitive Dissonance

Festinger's theory regarding the mental discomfort felt when two beliefs, or a belief and a behavior, contradict each other.