Chapters 1-2 Flashcards
symbols definition
symbol is used to stand for something, but doesn’t necessarily look like what it represents
signs definition
a sign looks like the thing it represents (smoke, red sky, falling ash = fire)
process definition
a transaction or exchange
systemic definition
occurring within a network of relationships
shared meaning definition
interpreting what the symbols mean in order to understand each other as we intended
what is common among all the areas of communication study
the use of symbols and the creation of meaning
the goals of theory are
description, explanation, predict and control, and social reform
how do we evaluate theories?
scope, logical consistency, testability utility, heuristic value, test of time, does it have predictive quality?
hypothesis definition
a thoughtful “hunch” or educated guess that we can test
operationalization
defining something in a way that we can measure or count
compliance gaining definition
asking for someone to do something
process of compliance gaining
agent (asker), target (person being asked), request, strategy, hard vs. soft tactics
social exchange theory
if i perceive that a relationship is costing me more than it is benefitting me, i am more likely to terminate that relationship
triangle of meaning
a word triggers a thought, and that makes us think about the referent, or the reality, but the word is not that reality
nature of symbols
arbitrary (different words to refer to one thing), abstract vs. concrete, ambiguous (is expensive $50 or $500)
symbols definition
something that stands for something else
the process of communication
sender/reciever—> encoding—>transmitting—>channel—>decoding—>feedback—>noise
noise definition
anything that interferes with the exchange and interpretation of message
the purpose of communication is
creating shared meaning
7 areas of communication
intrapersonal, interpersonal, group/team, organizational, public, mass media, intercultural
theory definition
how we make sense of things; a set of “informed hunches”
how to reduce misunderstandings
shared fields of experience (getting to know someone and doing things together so that we share a common frame of reference), definition, extensional orientation (more concrete and less abstract), metaphors, feedforward (anticipating in advance how someone is likely to interpret a message and adjusting accordingly)
symbolic interactionalism definition
the ability to use symbols shapes the way we think, the way we perceive, and how we interact with each other and within our larger society
premise (symbolic interaction)
the ability to use symbols is what allows us to interact with others and our society
premise (symbolic interactionism)
our symbols influence the way we view the world. words have “default assumptions” that shape our thinking about how things should be
premise (symbolic interactionism)
we act toward people, things, events, and actions on the basis of the meanings we assign to those people, things, events, or actions
premise (symbolic interactionism)
our self is developed through interaction with others. self-fulfilling prophecy, “looking glass self”
premise (symbolic interactionism)
the self is a combination of the “i” (the real, unfettered part of me) and the “me” (viewing myself as an object, seeing myself how others see me)
premise (symbolic interactionism)
as we interact with others, we become increasingly aware of how others see things. we are able to see situations through the eyes of others - both specific or “particular” others
expectancy violations theory definition
how do our expectations for a person or situation shape the meaning that we give to the interaction?
proxemics definition
the use of space. intimate, personal, social, public distance. this refers to my personal space, or the “bubble” i maintain around me
territoriality
the space i maintain and/or protect
factors that influence our personal space
personal preferences, cultural variables, status, context
reactions to expectancy violations
reciprocate (positive), compensate (negative)
assumptions about dissonance theory
humans desire consistency. dissonance is created by psychological inconsistencies, not logical ones
coping strategies for dissonance
selective exposure, selective attention, selective interpretation, selective retention
