A First Look at Communication Theory

Em Griffin received his B.A. in political science from the University of Michigan, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication from Northwestern University. He is professor of communication at Wheaton College in Illinois, where he has taught for the past 26 years and has been chosen Teacher of the Year. His research interest centers on the development of close friendships. Dr. Griffin is the author of three applied communication books: The Mind Changers analyzes practical techniques of persuasion; Getting Together offers research-based suggestions for effective group leadership; and Making Friends describes the way that quality interpersonal communication can build close relationships. He also leads workshops on these topics in the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States.

Division One: Overview Introduction1. Talk About Theory 2. Mapping the Territory3. Weighing the Words of Symbolic Convergence Theory

Division Two: Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal Messages4. Symbolic Interactionism (Mead)5. Coordinated Management of Meaning (Pearce & Cronen)6. Expectancy Violations Theory (Burgoon)7. Interpersonal Deception Theory (Buller & Burgoon)Ethical ReflectionsKant’s Categorical ImperativeAugustine’s Divine WillBok’s Principle of VeracityRelationship Development8. Social Penetration Theory (Altman & Taylor)9. Uncertainty Reduction Theory (Berger)10. Social Information Processing (Walther)Relationship Maintenance11. Relational Dialectics (Baxter & Montgomery)12. The Interactional View (Watzlawick)Cognitive Processing13. Constructivism (Delia)Influence14. Social Judgment Theory (Sherif)15. Elaboration Likelihood Model (Petty & Cacioppo)16. Cognitive Dissonance Theory (Festinger)Ethical ReflectionsBuber’s Dialogic EthicsNilsen’s Significant Choice

Division Three: Group and Public Communication Group Decision Making17. Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making (Hirokawa & Gouran)18. Adaptive Structuration Theory (Poole)Organizational Communication19. Information Systems Approach to Organizations (Weick)20. Cultural Approach to Organizations (Geertz & Pacanowsky)21. Critical Theory of Communication Approach to Organizations (Deetz)Public Rhetoric22. The Rhetoric (Aristotle)23. Dramatism (Burke)24. Narrative Paradigm (Fisher)Ethical ReflectionsAristotle’s Golden MeanWest’s Prophetic Pragmatism

Division Four: Mass Communication Media and Culture25. Semiotics (Barthes)26. Cultural Studies (Hall)Media Effects27. Cultivation Theory (Gerbner)28. Agenda-Setting Theory (McCombs & Shaw)29. Spiral of Silence (Noelle-Neumann)Ethical ReflectionsHabermas’ Discourse EthicsChristians’ Communitarian Ethics

Division Five: Cultural Context Intercultural Communication30. Anxiety/Uncertainty Management Theory (Gudykunst)31. Face-Negotiation Theory (Ting-Toomey)32. Speech Codes Theory (Philipsen)Gender and Communication33. Genderlect Styles (Tannen)34. Standpoint Theory (Harding & Wood)35. Muted Group Theory (Kramarae)Ethical ReflectionsGilligan’s Different VoiceBenhabib’s Interactive Universalism

Division Six: Integration Communication Theory36. Order Out of Chaos

Appendix A.Abstracts of Theories Appendix B.Feature Films that Illustrate Communication TheoryAppendix C.National Communication Association Credo for Ethical Communication EndnotesCredits and AcknowledgementsIndex