COMM 10 Jones Midterm

Socio-Psychological Tradition

how individuals and groups process and respond to communication

cybernetic tradition

communication as a system of information processing with feedback loops

rhetorical tradition

communication as persuasion and public speaking

semiotic tradition

verbal and nonverbal communication by finding shared meaning through signs

signifier

the word or image that represents something

signified

the meaning that is being represented

socio-cultural tradition

communication as the means of creating and shaping society (social structures, identities, and cultural norms)

critical tradition

communication to overcome power imbalances, inequality, and promote social change

phenomenological tradition

aims to understand how individuals experience and interpret their world through personal experience communication

personal identity

your sense of yourself as a unique individual

social identity

expressing how we are similar or different from others

social interactionism

identity is formed through social interactions with others using symbols

communication theory of identity

identity construction can be viewed through four frames

personal lense

CTI = how we see ourselves

enacted lense

CTI = how we express our identity through communication and behavior

relational lense

CTI = how our relationships shape and define our identity

communal lense

CTI = identity as part of a larger group or community

SMCR Model

A communication model that identifies the Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver.

SMCR - source

Communication skills, attitudes, knowledge, sociocultural system

SMCR - message

code, elements, treatment, structure

SMCR - channel

5 senses

SMCR - receiver

Communication skills, attitudes, knowledge, sociocultural system

Expectancy Violations Theory

how individuals respond to unexpected communication behaviors

expectations

social norms and prior experience guide how we expect others to act

violations

behaviors deviate from expectations

expectancies

patterns of anticipated behavior

predictive expectancies

typical behavior between a particular individual in a given context

prescriptive expectancies

what should happen in an interaction based on social norms

What are expectancies influenced by?

communication characteristics, relationship characteristics, contextual factors

violation valence

reactions to violation can be positive or negative

communicator reward value

impact of violation depends on status, attractiveness, or likability

behavioral responses to violations

reciprocity or compensation

reciprocity

matching a behavior

compensation

counteracting a behavior

interaction adaptation theory

builds on EVT = how individuals adjust behaviors during interactions to meet the expectations, needs, and desires of their conversational partner

interaction position

a person's initial stance in an interaction

requirements (IAT)

basic needs that influence how a person communicates including physical and emotional states

expectations (IAT)

social norms, rules, and prior knowledge about how communication unfolds in a given context

desires (IAT)

personal goals or preferences for the interactions

What desires are present in IAT and what are their influences?

Task oriented or relational. Shape how much effort people put into adapting to other's communication style

Relational communication theory

emphasizes how interaction patterns shape relationships

communication accommodation theory

individuals adjust communication styles to converge or diverge from others

What does convergence mean in CAT?

similarities or affiliation with the other

What does divergence mean in CAT?

independence or disapproval

cultural influences on interactions

cultural norms and values shape how people perceive and enact relational behaviors

Facework and Politeness Theory

managing face is central to interaction

What is "face" or "managing face"?

face = the positive and negative self image a person wants to project

Negative face

the desire for autonomy and freedom

Positive face

the desire to be liked and appreciated

Staircase relationship model

outlines the steps of forming, maintaining, and ending a relationship

Initiating (staircase model)

first interactions and first impressions

Experimenting (staircase model)

exploration = small talk and discovering similar interests

Intesifying (staircase model)

increased closeness and emotional connection and sharing personal info

Integrating (staircase model)

relationship becomes official, sharing identities (we)

Bonding (staircase model)

Formal commitment through symbolic gesture

Relational Maintenance

positivity, openness, assurances, social networks, sharing tasks

Differentiating (staircase model)

focus on individual differences rather than similarities

Circumscribing (staircase model)

communication diminishes, topics are avoided to prevent conflict

Stagnating (staircase model)

feeling stuck, little growth or meaningful conversations

Avoiding (staircase model)

minimize contact intentionally, creating physical and emotional distance

Terminating (staircase model)

relationship ends formally or informally

Uncertain Reduction Theory

individuals seek to reduce uncertainty in others during initial interactions

uncertainty

lack of information about thoughts, behaviors, or intentions

Why is uncertain reduction importnant?

helps individuals feel more comfortable and make decisions about pursuing or maintaining the relationship

Strategies for reducing uncertainty

passive, active, interactive

passive strategy (URT)

observing the person in a non intrusive way

active strategy (URT)

seeking information indirectly

interactive strategy (URT)

engaging directly with the person

Group Communication

understanding group dynamics helps improve decision making, teamwork, and leadership

Functional Perspective

communication in groups affect decision making effectiveness, perform better when communication meets task requirements

Developmental-Structurational Perspective

group structure evolves through communication (roles power, rules)

Symbolic Convergence Perspective

shared narratives and symbols shape group identity

Bona Fide Naturalistic Perspective

Real-world groups interact dynamically with external contexts (2 factors = connectivity and external factors)

Socio-Egocentric Perspective

Challenges assumptions that communication directly determines outcomes

intergroup communication

how social group members shape communication as representatives of their social groups instead of individuals

social identity theory

group identities can be salient or flexible depending no context

What happens when group identity is activated?

loyalty to group members, stereotype others, protect group status

How is CAT a model of intergroup bias?

Language reinforces stereotypes and power dynamics

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