1. Chapter 2 Perspectives On Human Communication Human Communication in Society 3 rd Edition

2. Overview of Themes Contemporary approaches to studying human communication The social scientific approach The interpretive approach The critical approach A multifaceted approach Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

3. Contemporary Approaches to Studying Human Communication ____ ____________ __ ______ ______Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

4. Paradigms, Theories, and Methods Paradigm = belief system with assumptions about knowledge, reality, and human nature Theory = set of statements that explains a phenomenon – Results from paradigms Methods = specific ways scholars collect and analyze data – Used to test theories Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

5. Social Science Approach ____ ____________ __ ______ ______Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

6. Assumptions Focus on the individual or dyad Roots in behaviorism – Goal: describe, predict, and explain human behavior – Reality is observable and describable Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

7. Theories and Methods Focus on what factors influence communication behavior Common (quantitative) methods: – Observation in lab or naturalistic setting – Surveys – Focused interviews Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

8. Theories and Methods, cont. For example: – Demand-withdrawal Caughlin & Vangelisti, 1999 – Attachment Fowler & Dillow, 2011 Guerrero, Farinelli, & McEwan, 2009 – Complaint behaviors Alberts, 1988 Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

9. Ethical Issues Do no harm Inform participants about all aspects of research Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

10. Strengths and Limitations Strengths – Helps to identify, explain, and predict behaviors Limitations – Communication not always predictable – Surveys cannot fully assess complex phenomena – Little regard for societal forces Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

11. The Interpretive Approach ____ ____________ __ ______ ______Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

12. Assumptions Goal: understand and describe individual communication in specific situations Roots: – Rhetoric (art of persuasion) – Humanism (celebration of human nature and potential) Humans construct own reality Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

13. Theories and Methods Qualitative methods – Content analysis – Ethnography – Rhetorical analysis Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

14. Ethical Issues Seek equality, reciprocity, mutual respect Accurately present views of participants Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

15. Strengths and Limitations Strengths – In-depth understanding of communication in specific situations – Insight into purposes of messages Limitations – Few research participants Not generalizable – Researchers are outsiders to communities studied Possibly inaccurate interpretations Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

16. The Critical Approach ____ ____________ __ ______ ______Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

17. Assumptions Goal: changing society Power and hierarchy play crucial role in society. People need to gain awareness in order to resist societal forces of power and oppression. Reality is subjective. Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

18. Theories and Methods Qualitative – Textual analysis – Media and public speeches Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

19. Ethical Issues Right to study, analyze, and represent other people’s views Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

20. Strengths and Limitations Strengths: – Focus on societal forces – Focus on power Limitations: – Lack of face-to-face focus – Not generalizable Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

21. A Multifaceted Approach ____ ____________ __ ______ ______Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

22. Three Perspectives on Communication We need all three to understand communication fully – Social science Seeks universal laws that explain human communication – Interpretive Individualized, specific look at human communication – Critical Uncover power in interaction, use communication analysis to effect societal change Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.