Elements of the Communication Model (The Communicator)

Elements of the Communication Model

Biopsychological Theories

  • Trait Theories: Focus on consistent human behavior across settings.

  • Traits vs. States: Traits are enduring characteristics; states are temporary and situational.

  • Major Traits in Communication: Argumentativeness and communication apprehension.

Trait Theory Examples

  • Argumentativeness:

    • Tendency to engage in controversy and defend viewpoints.

    • Associated with better communication, creative problem-solving, and leadership.

    • Higher argumentativeness in nonviolent relationships based on studies.

  • Communication Apprehension (CA):

    • Refers to anxiety about oral communication.

    • Trait CA is persistent; affects social participation.

Embodiment

  • Communibiology:

    • Focuses on biological basis of communication traits, emphasizing genetic influences.

  • Communicology:

    • Centers on the body as crucial for communication, viewing the process as dynamic.

    • Emphasizes shared codes and consciousness in communication.

Cognitive and Information Processing Theories

Key Concepts

  • Focus on how humans think and process information related to communication.

  • Theories include attribution, judgment, and information integration.

Attribution Theory

  • Developed by Fritz Heider; examines how we infer causes of behavior.

  • Steps: Observation, assessment, attribution (internal/external motivations).

Social Judgment Theory

  • Developed by Muzafer Sherif; context influences assessment of opinions.

  • Individuals have a latitude of acceptance, rejection, and noncommitment.

  • Responses depend on how messages align with personal anchors.

Elaboration Likelihood Theory (ELT)

  • Developed by Petty and Cacioppo;

  • Discusses two cognitive routes: central (elaborate thinking) and peripheral (less critical).

Information Integration

  • Attitudes form through accumulating and organizing information.

  • Expectancy-Value Theory (EVT): Focuses on belief strength.

  • Theory of Reasoned Action: Connects intention to attitude and social norms.

Consistency Theories

General Overview

  • Focus on preference for cognitive consistency.

  • Discomfort from cognitive dissonance motivates change.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

  • Proposed by Leon Festinger; addresses how cognitive elements relate.

  • Inconsistencies lead to discomfort and drive attitude/behavior change.

Problematic Integration Theory

  • Developed by Austin Babrow; deals with cognitive dissonance in poorly integrated beliefs.

  • Communication helps manage and resolve problematic situations.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

  • Formulated by Charles Berger; addresses knowledge gain about others.

  • Motivates individuals to seek information to predict behavior.

Communication Competence

Key Theories

  • Focus on effective interaction behaviors.

  • Includes: Interaction Adaptation Theory, Expectancy Violations Theory, Theory of Communication Competence.

Interaction Adaptation Theory

  • Developed by Burgoon; examines how communicators influence each other.

  • Interaction Position (RED): Requirements, Expectations, Desires.

Expectancy Violations Theory

  • Suggests that expectation violations can draw attention and are not always judged negatively.

Theory of Communication Competence

  • Offers broad assumptions about competence in communication across contexts.

Identity Theories

Overview

  • Identity construction through communication interaction.

Symbolic Interactionism (SI)

  • Founded by George Herbert Mead; meaning arises through social interactions.

Presentation of Self (Erving Goffman)

  • Everyday life as a stage; self is shaped through performance in social contexts.

Cultural Identity Theory (CIT)

  • Developed by Mary Jane Collier; focuses on identity negotiation within cultural groups.

Identity Negotiation Theory

  • Differentiates between personal and cultural identities influenced by context.

Identity Politics

Standpoint Theory

  • Highlights marginal perspectives affected by power relations; understanding through experiences of oppressed groups.

Queer Theory

  • Challenges traditional gender and sexuality categories; focuses on social constructs of identity.

Agency

Concept Overview

  • Represents capacity to effect change in communication.

  • Two approaches: Protean (shifting nature of agency) and Agency as Contradiction (use of contradictions as strategy).

Constricted vs. Constructed Potentiality

  • Constricted Potentiality: Focus on limited material conditions and persuasion.

  • Constructed Potentiality: Emphasizes interpretation of situations through symbolic resources.