2012.4 comm theory scrapbook final project

8/10/2019 2012.4 Comm Theory Scrapbook Final Project

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Lori AveryComm 250 Communications Theory/Spring 2012

Professor Karen Shearer-DunnApril 30, 2012

Communication Theory Scrapbook Project

No. Theory Theorist(s) Entry Example

1. Symbolic ( TheorySymbolic languagewhat is

realcreate our own, looking

glass self and what othersperceive in you.

George HerbertMead

Verbal

communication andmeaning

I am a fan of the 1990s TVshow, Friends. One of the main characters,Monica, has a very strong type A personality, is highly organized and

prides herself on her organization and cleaning skills. In one particular

episode, Monicas Closet , her husband breaks into the Monica mysterycloset to find it full of junk. Monica returns home to find the door to

the mystery closet had been open. She panics and tries to explain thereason behind the closetwas due to the fact that items in the closet

didnt fit into any of her organized buckets or categories. This is a great

example of Meads looking glass self. Monica portrays herself asorganized on the outside, but is really not on the inside.

Source: You Tube The Secret Closet, FriendsApril 29, 2012

2. Expectancy Violation TheoryProxemics/Expected zonesComing in too close

Judee Burgoon

Non-verbalcommunications and

semiotics

I am typically a very open, hug kind of person, especially with someone

that I have an established relationship. I have worked with this oneparticular board member for almost two years in various capacities. He is

very quiet, but very witty. He is soft-spoken, newly married and is a

CPA. After meeting him the first time, I shook his hand. At the next

board meeting, we reconnected and this time, I went to give him a hugand he stepped away. His comment to me was I am not really a hugperson. I was taken by surprise and immediately realized I had violated

his space/interpersonal expectations. He is very warm and welcoming

and is friends with other fellow board memberswho all hug! I made thewrong assumption. So, we continue to meet, shake hands and smile. He

is the only board member who does this while I respect his space andposition on this matter, it still seems strange to me. We are human

services organizationwe are supposed to be warm and hug people!


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3. Semiotics

Significant signs and symbolswith special meaning.

Roland Barthes

Non-verbalcommunication and

semiotics

I was first introduced to Kokopelli during our honeymoon to Santa Fe,

New Mexico twelve years ago. I was not familiar with the legend orsymbol of Kokopelli until our trip and once I became aware of his story

he was everywhereespecially in Santa Fe. From time to time, thesymbol will reoccur in a magazine or newspaper article which will bring a

smile to my face.

The Kokopelli legend is considered to be the Anasazi spirit (and symbol)of fertility who brought well-being to the people. This spirit assured

success in hunting, growing crops, and human conception.

This figure is so prominent in Native American mythology that he has

been compared to Abraham in regards to Judaism or to Paul in regards toChristianity. It is believed, from the study of the history of Kokopelli, that

Kokopelli has been worshiped since at least the time of the Ancient

Pueblo.

The first known images of him appear on pottery that date sometime

between AD 750 and AD 850; however, the earliest known petroglyph of

the figure dates to about A.D. 1000. Kokopellis image has lasted the testof time and has even entered onto the commercial scene.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=clip+art+for+kokipelli&view=detail&id=E9610958AC240276812692CE0F7B73C74F55E40D&first=61&FORM=IDFRIR


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Growing up in Lancaster County, PA, I was familiar with the tagline,

Lancaster, PAThe Red Rose City. Lancaster is home of AmishCountry, as well. Everything involving a holiday, seasonal tourist

attraction, etc. involves a variation of a red rose. On New Years Eve, ared rose is dropped to celebrate the new year. The Red Rose dates back

to Lancasters deep English history.

4. Social Penetration Theory

Self disclosure via peelingaway the layerssimilar to an

onion.

Irwin Altman &

Dalmas TaylorInterpersonal

communication

I liked the example of the peeling away the layers of anonion outlined

in our text book. The quote below sums up the layers for me:

Perhaps the most important reason for self-disclosure is that without it,we cannot truly love. ~Jourard, Sidney

Until both parties offer full disclosureallowing full breadth and depth in

self disclosure, true love cannot happen for the couple.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=red+rose+of+lanaster+logo&view=detail&id=E2874E5F49B5C7EE2C05EFC537045D91A810EB0F&first=0


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It becomes difficult for both parties to self-disclose, especially is one

person has been hurt in a past relationship. Years ago, I was engaged tothe man of my dreams who I met at work. For two years we had a long

distance relationship between Ohio and Pennsylvania. After a six monthengagement, (wedding dress bought, invitations purchased, etc.), I came

home to find a box which has been delivered by UPS that had all of mythings that I had kept at his home in Cleveland during long weekend trips.

He decideddidnt want to get married and that was really the end of the

relationship. This was my first serious relationship and I had certainlyprovided full disclosureas did my fianc. It took me quite some time

before I self-disclosed details about myself once I began dating again.

5. Social Exchange TheoryBased on rewards and costs ofthose involvedhappy if

meets the CLcomparison

level.

John Thibaut &Harold KelleyInterpersonal

communication

GNO examplesget rid of negativityRewards and Costshappy if meets comparison levelOr use Margaret and Brittany

6. Relational DialectsNormal and natural tugs andpulls in a relationshipas the

pendulum swings.

Leslie Baxter &

BarbaraMontgomery

Interpersonalcommunication

My husband and I have been married for twelve years and for the most

part, our pendulum swings in a normal fashion. We are both very muchalike, we enjoy being home, enjoying a glass of wine on the deck on a

Saturday night, we are both pretty low maintenance. However, there havebeen times (and will continue to be) when one of has saidwe should

really go out and do somethinglike go uptown to the museums and walk

around and have dinner afterwards or take Max, our dog, over to theGreenway and walk or Usually one of us will make the decision to

switch things up for a weekend or two and then our pendulum returns tothe normal swing of things.

7. Interactional Viewbased Paul Watzlawick This theory reminds me of someone that I used to work with and several


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on general systems theory

change one part, you changethe whole sum. When things

are going well, conversation iscontent based, when things are

not going well, relationshipmeaning is there.

Relationships within a family

system are interconnected andhighly resistant to change.Communication among members

has a content component and arelationship component thatcenters on issues of control. Thesystem can be transformed only

when members receive outsidehelp to reframe theirmetacommunication.

Interpersonal

communication

other co-workers struck up a friendship between the five of us. We are

have different backgrounds and we were in different phases of life. Fottwo years, we would spend one night per month having a girls night out.

We would have dinner or plan an activity (pottery, jewelry making). Ienjoyed my time with everyone, but one of the ladies become a bit

controlling of the group. If one of us could not make the monthlydinner/activityher attitude would quickly change towards that particular

person. To the point, I just decided to step away from the group.

Interestingly enough, the group fell apart within months. I am the onlyone that remains with the company, but I quickly realized that I my

friends are importantbut, I dont need the negative energyaround me.

She has since dismissed herself from everyone. This individual wouldquickly say You started it, but not coming to the dinner and other

similar comments. Life is too short!

Only child and power

8. ConstructivismIndividuals who are more

cognitively complex in their

perceptions of others have the

mental capacity to constructsophisticated message plansthat pursue multiple goals.

Very person-centered with

communication. The moreinner-traits you can see, the

better.

Jesse DeliaInterpersonal

communications

I recently received a promotion at work and was moved into a more seniorrole and title. In my former role, I was able to work (4) ten hour days and

took Fridays off, unless I needed to attend a meeting or was involved with

a special project. I was fortunate to have this schedule, but with my new

role, I now work five days per week. During a recent conversationbetween my husband and close family membe.r, the family member askedhow I was handling the five day work week. He replied by stating shes

fine, worked many Fridays in her former role, as well. The family

member replied with well, she has a title now and will have to step anddo what it takes. This individual is not very person-centered and is not

self-aware. There are many ways with which she could have replied, forexample: I know you really enjoyed your Fridays off, but this is a great

opportunity for you.


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9. Uncertainty Reduction

TheoryBelief that its normal for

people to have doubts aboutour ability to predict the

outcome of initial encounters.The ultimate goal is to figure

how a new person acts.

Charles Berger


The first time I met my husbands friends before we were married andafter his divorce, was very intimidating for me. This particular group of

friends were friends with my husband and his former wife. So, I wantedto be on my best behaviorI assumed they would not like me and that I

would not fit in with this group. After almost 15 years later and

reflecting on those initial meetings for purposes of this assignment, Irealized this theory was in full play! It took a bit longer for us to get to

know each other because we were all living in different cities and statesand the core group were in different phases of life. Most of the ladies in

the group reached out to me with non-verbal warmth, but did not allow

much self-disclosure. The guys in the group provided much more verbaloutput. Uncertainty was prevalent on both sides, but we soon found

common ground among each of us. This process took some time.

10. Social InformationProcessing TheoryCommunicating online.

Joseph Walther


There are many examples of this theory todayincluding online dating. I

have not ever engaged with on-line dating, but several of my friends haveand my good friend actually married the first person she met online. The

entire process seems creepy to mebut, I have always said, shouldsomething happen to my husband, I will enter the conventnever to

return to the outside world. My friend was very careful and cautious

about which website to use, etc. Once they met and had their first date, it

was a wonderful relationship.

I also think the use of Face Book and other social websites have their

benefits, but I have not jumped on the Face Book band wagon from a

personal standpoint.

I recently connected with my cousin who lives in California we havenever met. We have emailed a few times back and forth since last fall and

it has been fun connecting with he and his family. Its kind of like a


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modern day high tech pen pal. I am able to share with him many stories

from my childhood and share family stories that he was not able toexperience due to living so far away from the rest of the family.

11. Social Judgement Theory

The larger the discrepancybetween a speakers position

and a listeners point of view,the greater the change in

attitudeas long as the

message is within the hearer's

latitude of acceptance. Highego-involvement usuallyindicates a wide latitude of

rejection. Messages that fall

there may have a boomerangeffect.

Muzafer Sherif

Persuasion

/Theories about persuasion/

Latitudes of acceptance

Jury on the Amanda knox caseOJ trial

12. Elaboration Likelihood

ModelMessage elaboration is thecentral route of persuasion

that produces major positiveattitude change. It occurs when

unbiased listeners are

motivated and able toscrutinize arguments that they

consider strong. Message-irrelevant factors hold sway on

the peripheral path, a more

common route that produces

Richard Petty &

John Cacippio

Persuasian

Insert ads for items by celebrity. Ad for Perpheral routeadvertisement

Advertising is a great way to explain


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fragile shifts in attitude.

13. Functional Perspective

Groups make high-qualitydecisions when members fulfill

four requisite functions: (1)problem analysis, (2) goal

setting, (3) identification of

alternatives, and (4)

evaluation of positive andnegative consequences. Mostgroup communication disrupts

progress toward

accomplishing these functionaltasks, but counteractive

communication can bringpeople back to rational

inquiry.

Randy Hirokawa &

Dennis Gouran

Groupcommunication

The network TVshows Celebrity Apprentice and The Apprentice are a

great way to demonstrate Functional Perspective with group

communication. There have been countless episodes during each seasonwhere one team member disagrees with other group members, they

become disruptive to the group which in turn usually has negative resultsfor the project assigned for the week. In these instances, the goal setting

discussions initially begin with positive discussion, but can lead to

negative outcomes as plans and goals are finalized.

14. Cultural Approach to

Organizations

An organization doesnt have a

culture, it is a cultureaunique system of shared

meanings.

Clifford Geertz &

MichaelPacanowsky

Organizational

communication

I used to work for an independent telephone company in Pennsylvania

the D&E Telephone and Telegraph Company. The company was foundedby William Brossman during the early 1920s and when I worked for the

organization, the daughter of the founder was the President & CEO.

While the company was very progressive for a small town organization, ithad a very formal culture. It was an unwritten rule, but fully expected that

female employees did not wear slacks or jeansevery. Casual Friday didnot exist. She was a lovely woman, but had very high expectations for her

staffeven though they were not in writing or policy format.


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15. Critical Theory Approach to

Organizations

Advocating for change, citizenjournalism,

Managers can further acompanys health and

democratic values by

coordinating stakeholder

participation in corporatedecisions.

Stanley Deetz

Organizational

communication

During class discussion surrounding this issue, the movie Erin Brokovich

and the recent story of how one woman was able to change the fee

structure and Bank of America, made me think of the 1999 movie, TheInsider, starring Russell Crowe about the tobacco industry. The Insider

tells the true story of a man who decided to tell the world what the sevenmajor tobacco companies knew (and concealed) about the dangers of their

product. Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) was a scientist employed in

research for a tobacco firm, Brown and Williamson.

16. Narrative ParadigmRhetoic, storytelling, listenersjudge the story by the way it

hangs together and relates tovalues on the ideal audience.

Walter Fisher

Rhetoric

Narrative CoherenceInternal consistency with characters acting in a

reliable fashion the story hangs together. The TV show, The Waltonscomes to mind when I think about narrative paradigm. Each week, the

show would begin with young John Walton talking about his family andsome component that tie into the weeks episode.

17. Cultivation TheorySocial

Learning TheoryViolence in the media -

Refers to the cumulativeprocess by which TV fosters

beliefs about social reality.Resonancethe extent to

which something is congruent

with personal experience.Amplifies real life experience.

Social Learning theoryLearnthrough watching others and

George GerbnerMass media

Albert Bandura

Part of this theory includes resonance which is the extent to whichsomething is congruent with personal experience. When I was 15, my

father passed away suddenly due to a heart attack. For several years after

his death, I had a hard time watching a medical show or any TV show ormovie that featured a heart attack victim, a scene in the hospital, etc.

Regarding the social learning theory, the non-profit that I work for

supports children and adults with intellectual and developmental

disabilities. Our childrens programs are inclusive for children six weeksof age through age six. Our approach is difference doesnt mean deficit

the children mirror each other as children first and help each other alongthe way regardless of their disabilities. They learn through watching


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seek to learn behavior that is

socially rewarding and sociallypunishing.

others in a positive environment.

18. Spiral of SilencePublic opinion

Willingness to speak out ornot, Ash test, give up point of

view to go with the crowd.Emotionally based.

Elisabeth Noelle-

Neumann

Mass media

Politics at present

Social issuesAmmendment Flyerattach.

Rick Santorum and the birth control issue. Regardless of partythingsbecome out of hand very quickly. Things you dont talk about.

19. Agenda Setting TheoryMedia tells us what to thinkand how to think about it

Media, public and policy

Top stories of the daysometimes alter our opinion.

Maxwell McCombs& Donald ShawMass media

How could we not be swayed one way or another by the media thesedays! An example that comes to mind is the Casey Anthony case. Weheard about the case and details for years before she was brought to trial.

I will admit I think she is guilty. But, the media certainly swayed my

opinion and feelings/judgement of her.

20. Face Negotiation TheorySeeks to explain the influence

of cultural differences inresponse to conflict. High

content and low content.

Stella Ting-ToomeyIntercultural

communication

The Amish culture is a very quiet, unassuming culture and group ofpeople. They support each other and among the Amish sect.

21. Speech CodesFamilies are great exampleswhat not to talk about, secrets,

etc. Through ethnography ofcommunication we know all

cultures have multiple speechcodes that involve a distinctive

Gerry Philipsen

Interculturalcommunication

Growing up, my parents never discussed the fact that my father had been

married beforeI never knew. No one ever discussed it including myextended family members. It was as if everyone signed an agreement and

were sworn to secrecy.


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psychology, sociology, and

rhetoric. The meaning of aspeech code is determined by

speakers and listeners, and iswoven into speech itself. Artful

use of the code can explain,predict, and control talk about

talk.

22. Muted GroupTheory/Theories about

Feminist and Gender

CommunicationLanguage has a masculine biasno ones fault.

Murphy Brown

Man-made language aids indefining, depreciating, and

excluding women. Women areless articulate in public

because the words and thenorms for their use have been

devised by men. As womencease to be muted, men will nolonger maintain their position

of dominance in society.

Cheris Kramarae

Feminist & gender

communication

Lyrics to 9-5theme song to the movie, song by Dolly Parton.Tumble outta bed, And I stumble to the kitchen

Pour myself a cup of ambition, And yawn and stretch

And try to come to life, Jump in the showerAnd the blood starts pumpin', Out on the streetThe traffic starts jumpin', The folks like me on the job from 9 to 5

Workin' 9 to 5, What a way to make a livin'Barely gettin' by It's all takin' and no givin'

They just use your mindAnd they never give you credit

It's enough to drive you crazyIf you let it

9 to 5, for service and devotionYou would think that IWould deserve a fat promotion

Want to move ahead

But the boss won't seem to let meI swear sometimes that man is out to get me

They let you dream,Just to watch 'em shatter

You're just a step, On the boss-man's ladder


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But you got dreams, He'll never take away

You're in the same boat, With a lotta your friendsWaitin' for the day your ship'll come in

'N' the tide's gonna turnAnd it's all gonna roll your way

They got you where they want you

There's a better life, And you think about it, don't you

It's a rich man's game, No matter what they call itAnd you spend your life, Puttin' money in his wallet

The TV Show Murphy Brown

Clip from More Magazine

23. Standpoint TheoryStrong influence on whatpeople know depends on

where they came from -Vantage pointhard to

understand each others pointof view

Different locations within thesocial hierarchy affect what is

seen. The standpoints of

marginalized people provideless false views of the world

than do the privilegedperspectives of the powerful.

Strong objectivity requires that

Sandra Harding &

Julia T. WoodFeminist & gender

communication

I grew up on a farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and as an only

child, my vantage point was very skewed in an innocent way. Iassumed that every child in the county lived on a farm, had two parents, a

mom who stayed at home, etc. In my mind, everyone had animals, grewtheir own crops, etc. Wow! I was in for a BIG surprise on the first day of

schoolat Drumore Elementary School. I found out not everyone kneweach other, not everyone lived on a farm, some parents worked away from

the home and not everyones mom was waiting for them when they gotoff the school bus each day.

I have worked for a non-profit that supports children and adults with

intellectual and developmental disabilities for almost ten years. Uponarrival with the agency, I had limited experience with someone who had a

developmental disability. For those friends and associates of mine outsideof my work circle, they could not understand how I go to work every day

to help those poor, special people.


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scientific research start from

the lives of women, the poor,gays and lesbians, and racial

minorities.

2012.4 comm theory scrapbook final project

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