chapter 2

These flashcards cover the key concepts and definitions related to communication theory as outlined in the lecture notes.

What is theory?

An organized set of statements that explains some phenomenon, providing interpretations and explanations of the world.

What is communication theory?

Communication theories focus on how people send and receive messages to create shared meaning in various contexts.

What is NOT a communication theory?

A conceptual framework, a model, and a paradigm are not sufficient to comprise a communication theory.

What does a conceptual framework do?

Helps understand some form of human interaction but does not constitute a complete communication theory.

What does a model depict?

A model graphs, plots, or diagrams communication processes but does not explain them.

What is a paradigm in communication?

A shared set of general assumptions, ideas, and procedures for studying a phenomenon such as human interaction.

What is an intellectual tradition?

A general way of thinking about an aspect of the communication process shared by a community of scholars.

What are assumptions in communication theories?

Beliefs taken for granted that influence the focus and scope of the theory.

What are concepts within a communication theory?

Abstract ideas that theories discuss, representing specific ideas with explicit definitions.

What is a variable?

Any concept whose properties can vary.

What are claims in communication theory?

Declarative statements about how concepts fit together, often expressed in a cause-and-effect format.

focus

some theorscopeies assumptions relate to its focus which is breadth of topics it covers

scope

the applicability of their coverage

school of thought

a particular perspective or framework used to analyze and interpret communication phenomena.