Communication Theory How do therapists know how to

Communication Theory • How do therapists know how to help People? • How do teachers know how to teach? • How do coaches know how to win? • How do we know how to communicate most effectively?

Are Theories Difficult? • An invitation to the life of the mind • Learning to love knowledge for its own sake • Invitation to an ongoing conversation i. e. Kenneth Burke’s Parlor • Communication Theory is an idea game

Suggestions • • Stay Positive Maintain a Perspective--Big Picture Find Good Resources Don’t Procrastinate

Some Perspectives • • Fort Peck--Order or Chaos The Elephant and the Blind Researchers What is your perspective? How do you perceive communication?

More on Perspectives • Communication Theories describe and/or explain. Do they predict? • Eastern vs. Western perspectives-Wholeness and unity vs. analytical reductionism; spirituality vs. individual purpose; non-speech vs. speech/language • Study of Communication is diverse, eclectic, and multidisciplinary today.

Three Types of Scholarship • Science--objectivity • Humanities--subjectivity • Social Science--blends the two

Three Approaches to Knowledge • Knowing by discovery--search for objectivity • Knowing by interpreting--construction of meaning • Knowing by criticism--application of values and judgements to what is observed or experienced

Five Genres of Communication Theories • Structural/Functional--assumes that reality is ordered • Cognitive/Behavioral--mechanisms of the mind • Interactional/Conventional--social life • Interpretative--meaning and language • Critical Theories--domination/oppression

Four Levels or Contexts of Inquiry • • Interpersonal Group Organizational Mass

Ten General Theories • We will look at ten general theories that may apply to all the categories • They are core theories and apply to any context

So, Welcome to the Adventure of the Mind called Theory • The Farmer and the “object in the field” • Which explanations do you most often turn to?