COM 300 Exam 1 Flashcards
Definition of Theory
A set of systemic, informed hunches about the way things work
Social Scientific Paradigm
The assumption that truth is singular and is accessible through unbiased observation
Interpretive Paradigm
The assumption that thrush is subjective, depending on one’s lived
Qualitative Methods
Research questions: an open-ended question that centers your research
Interview, focus group, observation
small sample size. non-randomly sampling, want to focus on a small group and go in-depth
Quantitative Methods
Hypothesis: A prediction, an educated guess about the way the world works
Survey, experiment, content analysis
Large group sample, randomly sampling
Causation and Correlation
causation: indicates that one event is the result of the occurrence of the other event; indicates that one event is the result of another (ice cream example)
correlation: between variables does not automatically mean that the change in one variable is the cause of the change in the other variable
Symbolic Interactionism: Three Premises
Meaning, Language, Thinking
Symbolic Interactionism: Looking-Glass Self
the mental self-image that results from taking the role of the other
Symbolic Interactionism: I & me
I: the subjective self, is the spontaneous driving force that fosters all that is novel, unpredictable, and unorganized in the self
Me: the objective self, the image of self seen in the looking glass of other people’s reactions
Social Penetration Theory: Four Stages
Orientation: Simple talk, ruled by social conventions
Exploratory Affective Exchange: casual relationships, relaxed and friendly
Affective Exchange: some commitment, close relationships, romantic relationships
Staple stage: deepest personal thoughts, nonverbal level
Self-Disclosure
the voluntary sharing of personal history, preferences, attitudes, feelings, values, secrets, etc. with another person
Self-Disclosure Six Dimensions
Depth & Breadth
Frequency and Duration
Valence and Veracity
Two Standards of Comparison (CL)
The threshold above which an interpersonal outcome seems attractive
We judge the value of a relationship by comparing it to the baseline of past experiences
Two Standards of Comparison level of alternative (CLalt)
The best outcome available in other relationships; a standard for relational stability
e.g. violence, not divorce
Motivation to reduce uncertainty
Anticipation of future interaction (see you again)
Incentive value ( I want something from you)
Deviance (they act in a weird way)
Axiom
A self-evident truth that required no additional proof
Axiom 1
Verbal Communication: (-) Verbal communication increases, uncertainty level decreases
Axiom 2
Nonverbal Warmth: (-) Nonverbal affiliative expressiveness increases, uncertainty levels decrease
Axiom 3
Information Seeking: (+) high levels of uncertainty causes increases in information-seeking behavior
Axiom 4
Self-Disclosure: (-) High levels of uncertainty in a relationship cause decreases in the intimacy level of communication content
Axiom 5
Reciprocity: (+) High levels of uncertainty produce high rates of reciprocity
Axiom 6
Similarity: (-) Similarities between people reduce uncertainty
Axiom 7
Liking : (-) Increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in liking
Axiom 8
Sharing Networks : (-) Shared communication networks reduce uncertainty
Theorem:
Proposition that logically and necessarily follows form two axioms. The theorem is a logical consequence of the axioms
Is A = B
And B = C
Then A = C
Low Context Cultures -
more explicitly, verbal
High Context Cultures
More implicit, nonverbal
Strategies to reduce uncertainty -
Passive strategy
Observing a person interact with others
Strategies to reduce uncertainty -
Active Strategy
Asking a third party about a person
Strategies to reduce uncertainty -
Interactive Strategy
Face-to-face interaction with the person you want to know more about
Strategies to reduce uncertainty -
Extractive Strategy
Searching the Internet for information about a person
Relational Dialectics Theory:
Integration/separation
a set of discursive struggles regarding independence versus interdependence; freedom versus intimacy
Relational Dialectics Theory:
Stability/change
a set of discursive struggle regarding routine versus spontaneity; traditional versus novel
Relational Dialectics Theory:
Expression/non-expression
a set of discursive struggle regarding transparent versus secrecy; privacy versus disclosure
Autonomy - Connection
Autonomy: need independence od distance
connection: need to be linked and close to others
Inclusion – Seclusion
Inclusion: spend time with other people
Seclusion: keep time to themselves
Certainty – Uncertainty
Certaniny: stability, routine
Uncertainty: surprise, change newness
Conventionality - Uniqueness
Conventionality: show consistency with the large social group
Uniqueness: show inconsistency with the large social group
Openness – Closedness
Openness: disclosure, candor
Closedness: privacy, secrecy
Revelation-Concealment
Revelation: sharing information with the larger social network
Concealment: keep information private from the social network
Four Strategies for Dialectical Tensions
Selection
Value one side over the other
Four Strategies for Dialectical Tensions
Separation
favor each side at the different time
Four Strategies for Dialectical Tensions
Neutralization
Avoid fully engaging either side of the tensions, “midpoint”
Four Strategies for Dialectical Tensions
Reframing
talk about the tensions so they seem complementary rather than contradictory
