Comm 300 Quiz 1 Spring 2014 Part I Multiple Choice

Comm 300quiz 1spring 2014part I Multiple Choice Worth 1 Point Each

Comm 300 Quiz 1 Spring 2014 Part I: Multiple Choice (worth 1 point each) Directions : Below are 30 multiple choice questions. Please indicate the best answer from the selections given. 1. One of the issues to consider in defining communication is intentionality . Which of the following best exemplifies the belief that communication must be intentional? a. communication is goal-oriented behavior b. communication is any interpretation of meaning c. communication is the perception of power d. communication is a means by which truth is established 2.

Having a conversation with someone over walkie-talkies is an example of which model of the communication process? a. linear b. interactional c. transactional d. Information transfer 3. Communication is considered transactional when a. a person waits to hear feedback after sending a message b. the people communicating send and receive messages simultaneously c. one person is responsible for sending the message; the other person is responsible for understanding the message d. each element of the communication process is not connected to the others 4. Selecting the word rage to label your feeling of anger is a process known as a. feedback b. decoding c. encoding d. semantics 5. I define communication as "the social process of creating meaning." Based on my definition of communication, which of the following theoretical questions is most likely to interest me? a. does increasing the strength of the arguments in a message lead to an increase in that message’s persuasiveness? b. what are the communication strategies people use to defend themselves when someone is insulting them? c. how do communicators reduce apprehension when they meet someone for the first time? d. how do lovers co-create meaning within their relationships?

6. Littlejohn defines a theory as "any conceptual representation or explanation of a phenomenon." Based on our class discussion, why is it important to notice the word "OR" in this definition? a. it narrows the definition by making it too inclusive b. it broadens the definition by including many approaches to theory c. it strengthens the definition by making anything a theory d. all of the above e. none of the above 7. The ultimate goal of communication theory development is to produce an accumulating body of reliable knowledge enabling us to a. predict, explain, and control communication behavior b. explain, predict, and manipulate communication behavior c. predict, understand, manipulate communication behavior d. explain, manipulate, dominate communication behavior 8.

A theorist wonders, " What are the communication strategies people use to end relationships?" In which goal of theory is the theorist primarily interested? a. understanding b. explanation c. prediction d. control 9. How do the concepts and theories people use in their everyday lives differ from what communication theorists try to do? a. theorists’ concepts are more abstract; everyday concepts are more concrete b. everyday concepts are more abstract; theorists’ concepts are more concrete c. theorists try not to generalize because they want to explain specific communication behavior d. everyday theories are falsifiable (i.e., can be found to be incorrect), academic theories are not 10. Conclusions drawn from metatheoretical discussions determine a. what communication phenomenon the theorist observes b. how the theorist should observe the phenomenon c. what perspective on communication (laws, rules, systems.

Rhetoric, etc.) the theorist will take d. all of the above e. none of the above 11. “Communication is a social endeavor†is a(n) assumption a. ontological b. epistemological c. axiological d. none of the above 12. A theorist who asks, “Should I develop a theory that will change society's view of gay marriage?†is asking him/herself a question that pertains to the area of a. ontology b. epistemology c. axiology d. phenology 13. According to class discussion, we have so many different communication theories because a. communication scholars hold different metatheoretical assumptions b. communication scholars define communication in many different ways c. communication scholars adhere to different assumptions that guide ways of knowing or discovering the world d. all of the above e. none of the above 14.

A communication scholar who uses the covering laws approach is essentially trying to uncover a. the social norms that influence our communication behaviors b. cause and effect relationships between communication variables c. why certain people achieve success in communication and others do not d. cognitive schemata people use to interpret events 15. As classroom size increases, level of student participation decreases. This hypothesis is an example of a a. a contextual law b. a reliable law c. a positivistic law d. a probabilistic law 16. Communication rules tell us a. whether a problem is historical or psychological b. the difference between encoding and decoding c. what behavior will result under a given set of circumstances d. what kinds of behavior are appropriate in a given context or relationship 17.

Which type of data would a rules perspective theorist be most happy analyzing? a. responses to paper and pencil tests or surveys b. actual dialogue from two people in conversation c. responses to yes/no questions answered over the phone d. frequency data from polling people individually 18. The following are possible explanations for the amount of distance between two people when they are speaking to one another. Which of the following best represents a rules approach ? a. if you violate an individual’s personal space they will feel threatened b. people who want others to like them should use the distance between them to show how they feel c. if you violate an individual’s personal space, he or she will move away from you d.

Our reaction to someone violating our space is the end result of being confronted with negative stimuli. 19. Sophia wants to answer the theoretical question, “Is birth order is related to communication apprehension?†She asks students who have one or more siblings to complete a survey that measures a person’s level of apprehension. Which paradigm is influencing Martha’s choice of research methods? a. empiricism (i.e., she’s a social scientist) b. humanism (i.e., she’s a humanist) c. the systems perspective d. the rules perspective 20. True or False?

Systems theorists believe you can study a part of the communication process (e.g., the sender of the message) in order to fully understand how communication functions in the real world. a. true b. false 21. True or False? The property of a system known as calibration is the system’s ability to achieve the same goals through different methods or means. a. true b. false 22. Rhetoricians who want to “put things into an intelligible frame†have which of the goals of theory as their primary goal of theory building? a. understanding b. prediction c. control d. all of the above e. none of the above 23. Theories about communication phenomena a. include definitions of concepts b. may include explanations about the relationships between and among concepts c. concern abstract ideas d. all of the above e. none of the above 24.

Imagine, for a moment, two different images: Imagine (1) Dr. Hubbard giving a lecture last Wednesday, and imagine (2) the use of "effective instructional techniques". Which of the following statements BEST distinguishes between these two images? a. image 1 is a concept, image 2 is a concrete event b. image 1 is a concrete event, image 2 is a concept c. image 1 is a concept, image 2 is a theory d. image 1 is a building block of theory, image 2 is not 25. All theories must a. contain causal necessity b. contain practical necessity c. be logically consistent d. include hypotheses 26. The statement, “flattery leads to liking†indicates which type of necessity? a. causal b. practical c. academic d. temporal 27.

When you flatter a friend because you want that friend to like you, what kind of necessity is operating in your behavior? a. causal b. practical c. academic d. temporal 28. A theory which contains only a few simply stated propositions instead of many elaborate propositions is said to be a. heuristic b. parsimonious c. valid d. testable 29. Edwin went to the library to learn more about a particular theory which attempts to explain the types of communication strategies used by women to end long-term relationships. In the process of investigating this theory, he discovered that many research studies had been conducted to “test†the theory. He concludes that the theory is a “good†theory because it passed the evaluation criteria of a. scope b. parsimony c. heurism d. validity 30.

When you are unable to see the concepts explained in a theory operating in real life, the theory does not have a. precision b. scope c. validity d. power

Paper For Above instruction

The concept of communication is fundamental to understanding human interaction, societies, and cultures. In this paper, I will explore the various dimensions of communication theory, focusing on its definitions, models, and theoretical perspectives. I will examine the significance of intentionality in communication, the different models that describe the communication process, and the philosophical assumptions underlying communication theories. Additionally, I will analyze how theories are developed, their goals, and the contrast between everyday use of communication concepts and scholarly theoretical frameworks. Finally, I will discuss the implications of different assumptions—ontological, epistemological, and axiological—held by social scientists and humanists, and how these influence their approaches to understanding communication.

Introduction

Communication has been conceptualized through various models and theories, each offering unique insights into the nature of human exchanges. The process of communication involves more than merely transmitting information; it encompasses creating shared meaning, understanding, and social interaction. The issue of intentionality highlights whether communication exists only when it is deliberate and purposeful or whether it can be interpreted in unintended ways. Different models, such as linear, interactional, and transactional, describe the complexity and reciprocity involved in communication. Theories in this domain are developed with specific goals, including explanation, prediction, and understanding, influenced by underlying philosophical assumptions.

Models of Communication

The linear model of communication views the process as a straightforward transfer of messages from sender to receiver—emphasizing unidirectionality. In contrast, the interactional model incorporates feedback, illustrating a two-way exchange, but still treats communication as a series of separate acts. The transactional model perceives communication as a dynamic, simultaneous process where both parties are senders and receivers at once, emphasizing the ongoing and reciprocal nature of human interaction (Littlejohn & Foss, 2011). These models differ significantly in capturing the social and systemic complexity of communication, with the transactional model being most aligned with contemporary understanding of social interaction.

Theoretical Perspectives and Foundations

Communication theories are built upon philosophical assumptions that shape their focus and methods. Ontologically, a realist worldview posits that communication phenomena exist independently of our perception, whereas a social constructivist perspective sees meaning as co-created through interaction (Craig, 1997). Epistemologically, social scientists often prioritize empirical, observable data to generate knowledge, aligning with positivism, while humanists emphasize interpretive understanding through subjective experience. Axiologically, social scientists typically aim for objectivity and value neutrality, whereas humanists acknowledge that research is inherently influenced by values and social context (Toulmin, 1958). These foundational assumptions influence the development of theories and their applications.

Goals and Development of Communication Theories

The primary goals of communication theories include explaining phenomena, predicting future occurrences, understanding underlying processes, and controlling or influencing behaviors. Theories grounded in causal laws, such as covering laws approach, aim to uncover cause-and-effect relationships (Hempel & Oppenheim, 1948). For example, a theory explaining relationship termination by communication strategies seeks understanding and explanation. Theories vary in scope, parsimony, and testability, with some being broad and flexible and others more specific and structured. The process of theory testing involves empirical studies, validation, and refinement, demonstrating the scientific rigor within the scholarly community (Bach, 2003).

Everyday Concepts Versus Scholarly Theories

Regular individuals apply communication concepts that are often concrete, intuitive, and context-dependent, such as "being polite" or "avoiding conflict." Scholars, however, develop more abstract, generalizable, and testable constructs that allow for systematic investigation. For instance, while laypeople might say "communication is about getting your message across," theorists formalize this idea into models and propositions that can be empirically examined (McGregor, 2011). Additionally, scholarly theories are evaluated based on criteria like scope, parsimony, heurism, validity, and power, ensuring they serve as reliable tools for understanding complex phenomena.

Metatheoretical Assumptions and Their Impacts

Metatheoretical discussions delve into the assumptions underpinning communication theories. These assumptions guide how researchers interpret data and what they consider valid knowledge. For example, a realist (social scientist) presumes that communication phenomena are observable and measurable, shaping theories focused on cause-and-effect relationships. Conversely, a humanist emphasizes the interpretive, subjective experience of participants, leading to theories that explore meaning-making processes. The axiological stance—regarding the role of values—also differs, with social scientists generally aiming for objectivity, while humanists accept the influence of values and advocate for research that recognizes this (Guba & Lincoln, 1994). These differences impact the goals, explanations, and methods used across disciplines.

Differences in Goals, Explanations, and Methods

Social scientists and humanists approach communication from contrasting vantage points. Their primary goal differs: social scientists seek causal explanations and predictive power, aiming for general laws that explain behavior (Berger & Luckmann, 1966). Humanists, meanwhile, focus on understanding and interpreting meaning within context, emphasizing rich descriptions and subjective interpretations. Methodologically, social scientists favor quantitative approaches such as surveys, experiments, and content analyses to test hypotheses. Humanists prefer qualitative methods like interviews, ethnographies, and hermeneutic analysis to explore human experience deeply. These differences reflect foundational philosophical disagreements about how best to understand communication in human life.

Conclusion

In summary, communication theories are shaped by their underlying assumptions and goals. The distinction between social scientific and humanistic paradigms influences the way theories are developed, tested, and applied. Recognizing these differences enhances our comprehension of human interaction and the diversity of approaches available in communication research. Ultimately, both paradigms contribute valuable insights, enriching our understanding of the complex, dynamic processes of human communication.

References

• Bach, K. (2003). Theories of Communication: A Short History. Routledge.
• Berger, P. L., & Luckmann, T. (1966). The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge. Anchor Books.
• Craig, R. T. (1997). Communication theory as a field. In The International Encyclopedia of Communication.
• Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 105-117). Sage.
• Littlejohn, S. W., & Foss, K. A. (2011). Theories of Human Communication. Waveland Press.
• McGregor, S. C. (2011). Communication Theory. McGraw-Hill.
• Hempel, C. G., & Oppenheim, P. (1948). Studies in the logic of explanation. Philosophy of Science, 15(2), 135-175.
• Toulmin, S. (1958). The Uses of Argument. Cambridge University Press.