Comm Quiz 1

What are the five basic goals we have in mind when we develop theories?

Description, Explanation, Predation, Control, Reform

What are the seven standards we use to evaluate theories?

Accuracy, Practicality, Succinctness, Consistency, Heuristic value, Scope, Testability

Inductive theory development

Research collective first, then theory.

Deductive theory development

Deductive theory first, then research.

Constructs

Labels for abstract constructs that are NOT perceivable (can’t see or touch them).

Conceptual definitions

The things we mean when we use constructs.

Operational definitions

Descriptions of the observable characteristics of the concepts.

Hypotheses

Testable predictions about relationships between variables.

Research questions

Formal questions formed when there's not enough evidence to create a hypothesis.

What are the four types of research discussed in class?

Experiments, Surveys, Ethnography, Textual analysis.

Define uncertainty.

Inability to predict attitudes or behaviors of someone/interaction.

Three general principles of Uncertainty Reduction Theory

1. Main concern is to reduce uncertainty when strangers meet. 2. There are 3 strategies to reduce uncertainty. 3. As uncertainty decreases, liking increases.

Factors motivating us to seek information to reduce uncertainty

Passive (observation), Active (asking others about the person), Interactive (directly engaging with the person).

Predictive expectancies

What we should expect based on a given situation (usually happens).

Prescriptive expectancies

What we should do based on social norms (should happen).

Three factors affecting expectancies

Communicator characteristics, Relational characteristics, Context/situation.

Factors determining responses to expectancy violations

Violations by rewarding partners = positive response; Violations by un-rewarding partners = negative response.

Self-disclosure

Sharing information voluntarily about oneself.

Reasons for self-disclosure

Self-presentation, Relationship building, Catharsis.

Breadth in Social Penetration Theory

Number of topics discussed with a partner.

Depth in Social Penetration Theory

Personal significance of the information shared.

Four stages moving from strangers to intimates

Orientation, Exploratory affective exchange, Affective exchange, Stable.

Depenetration

Gradual process of withdrawal from a relationship (stop sharing personal topics).

Factors affecting perceptions of self-disclosure

Amount of self-disclosure, Reciprocity, Valence of self-disclosure.