Communication Theory

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nCommunication Theory

nPart I: Dramatism, Cognitive Dissonance Theory, and Interactional View

nWatzlawicks interactional view, Leon Festingers Cognitive Dissonance and Kenneth Burkes Dramatism are communication theories are important in communication. Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that people have a trend of pursuing uniformity in their cognitions such as opinions and beliefs. Therefore, in case there is discrepancy between behaviors and attitudes (dissonance), changes must occur in order to eradicate the dissonance (Chitode, 11). Furthermore, in case of inconsistency between behavior and attitudes, changes are mostly likely to take place in the attitude aiming to maintain the behavior.

nDramatism theory proposes that the life in which people live is like a drama. Therefore, life needs an act, a scene and an actor as well as a purpose. In this respect, an individual can know the motive of a speaker via the dramatistic purpose, agency, scene and act (Werner and Tankard, 54). Dramatism encompasses the crucial part played by the public in making speech. Interactional view by Watzlawick explains five factors or axioms in communication (Chitode, 13). The interactional view notes that miscommunication occurs since the communicators lack a common language. In this case, it takes place since individuals have a wide range of speaking opinions.

nBased on the standards of evaluating theories, they stand out above the rest. They are important because they help to understand the reasons why people have different behaviors. In other words, they facilitate human behaviors predictions (Mortensen, 15). Moreover, the three theories provide knowledge on the figurative interactions. Most importantly, they offer values clarification since they can recognize the idea behind a particular communication. Therefore, these theories form an essential foundation in explaining human interpretation in communication (Littlejohn and Foss, 59). Therefore, the three theories have contributed to significant reforms in the community.

nPart II: Speech Code Theory, Narrative Paradigm and Social Penetration

nThe speech code theory by Philipsen, Narrative Paradigm by Fisher Walter and Social penetration theories play a major role in PR career. Speech code theory involves a framework of socially created meanings and symbols, rules, and premise regarding the conduct in communication. The main feature of speech code theory is that it explains the association between culture and communication (Mortensen, 74). In this case, the theory notes that when there is a unique culture, it is more likely to have a typical speech code. In a particular speech, there is deployment of a variety of speech code. The theory attempts to focus on inquiries related to speech codes, their discovery and substance as well as their effects on individual culture (Chitode, 39). The speech code is important in PR career because it analyses the ideas on how a person can develop various speech codes based on the different cultures. The theory contributes to PR career development because it advocates for persons to pay attention to different cultures in their communication in order to meet the demands of the listeners.

nNarrative paradigm by Fisher Walter suggests that didactic or descriptive communication does not exist. In addition, Fisher also argues that human beings are storytelling in nature. Therefore, a good speaker should be able to present a persuasive story with proper coherence in order to be appealing to the listeners (Mortensen, 75). Moreover, an appealing narrative should provide evidence that support a given argument. Narrative paradigm also suggest that the ability of people to make decision is based on appropriate reasons which changes depending on the genre, media and situation in communication (Chitode, 92). Moreover, characters, culture, biology and history determine appropriate reasons. The rationality of the narrative is influenced by the fidelity and coherence of the story. On the other hand, Fisher posits that the rationality of narrative is used to critic stories (Littlejohn and Foss, 61). According to Fisher, a narrative is a figurative action such as deeds and words that are sequential to people who interpret, establish and live them.

nNarrative paradigm is important in PR career development because it helps to understand the shift in paradigm from sensible paradigm to narrative paradigm in the world. Most importantly, it helps PR experts in decision making depending on the argument (Werner and Tankard, 57). More significantly, the PR professionals are able to understand the types of speaking circumstances such as legislative, scientific and legal which play a role in development of an argument. Utilizing rational analysis, the PR experts can understand the coherent puzzles in the world (Mortensen, 120). The development of PR career can be facilitated by gaining knowledge on how to create stories using humane and truthful ideas.

nSocial penetration theory by Taylor Dalmas and Altman Irwin discusses how to develop close relationship in interpersonal communication. The theory suggests that closeness establishes when persons advance in an orderly and slow manner (Werner and Tankard, 65). The progress of closeness develops to intimate from superficial degree of exchange, which helps to realize both forecast and immediate outcomes. The theory also utilizes an example of onion to depict the variety of layers in the structure of personality. The outer layer represents the public domain while the inner layer represents the private self (Chitode, 92). Most importantly, the theory noted that the most effective way to social penetration in depth is via disclosure of self. A deeper social penetration shows the level of self-disclosure. The inner core or layers in an onion are tougher as compared to outer layers.

nSocial penetration theory is important in PR career because it helps to understand how sooner or frequent an individual can disclose personal information. In development of relationship, an expert should know an individual reveal personal information on reciprocal basis. Most notably, the penetration of an individual is faster in the initial stages of relationship but slows as the inner self is reached (Littlejohn and Foss, 90). Therefore, social penetration theory, speech code theory and narrative paradigm are important in my personal career in order to develop healthy relationships with other people.

nPart III: Speech Code Theory, Symbolic Interactionism and Coordinated Management of Meaning

nCoordinated Management of Meaning by Pearce and Cronen, Meads Symbolic interactionism and Philipsens Speech Code Theory are useful in development of personal relationship. The theories provide ideas on how to develop social relationships (Mortensen, 123). Communication between different people has a relationship and content feature that control personal relationships. Symbolic Interactionism, Coordinated Management of Meaning and Speech Code theory are beneficial in my personal career because they provide insights on how personal relationship can be transformed through external metacomunication (Littlejohn and Foss, 93).

nSymbolic interactionism is based on the figurative meaning that individuals depend and establish in the social communication process. The theory discusses the society by focusing on the subjective meaning, which a person enacts on behaviors, events and objects. Subjective meanings is very crucial in social development because individuals behaviors are based on their believes as opposed to the truth of the matter (Chitode, 109). Therefore, personal relationships can be socially developed via interpretation of human beings. On the other hand, individuals understand others behaviors and these understandings create the bonds between them.

nThe Coordinated Management of Meaning suggests that communication is a system that permits people to establish and control social meaning. Therefore, communicators can develop personal relationships with other people by establishing meaningful communication. In a conversation, a person is able to develop their personal social realities (Mortensen, 63). Moreover, this theory argues that persons within a social settings first tries to gain knowledge on what is happening before developing personal relationships with others (Littlejohn and Foss, 97). However, two individuals have trouble when developing personal relationships in case they have opposing opinions. CMM theory is based on rules that help an individual to understand and interpret a message or event. The rules influence the behavior of an individual when developing personal relationships (Mortensen, 132).

nSpeech code theory is also useful in explaining personal development. The theory noted that there is a social system of rules, premises, meanings, and symbols constructed in terms of how people in a certain society associate with each other (Littlejohn and Foss, 99). Based on the speech code theory, personal relationships will vary depending on the social class, communities and cultures. For instance, the personal relationships of individuals who stay urban areas will be different from those living in the rural areas. Furthermore, people will develop diverse personal relationship although they share a common culture because people have diverse speech codes (Chitode, 121). The manner in which a person related with others is different at various circumstance or situation. According to Philipsen, speech code encompasses unique culture in rhetoric, sociology and psychology, which determines the structure and character of personal relationship (Mortensen, 142). Knowing the speech codes of a particular culture or community will assist an individual to develop appropriate communication.

nPart IV: Theories that resonate with Symbolic Interactionism

nThe work of George Herbert Mead on symbolic interactionism forms the seminal thinking of other people such as Geertz and Pacanowskys Cultural approach to organization, McLuhans Technological Determinism, and Montgomery and Baxters relational dialects.

nCultural approach to organization by Geertz suggests that cultures are a network of common sense making, understanding and meaning (Chitode, 132). Their work is derived from the Meads thinking because he uses ethnographic approach to determine the most effect communication in an organization during public and group communication.

nThe theory confirms that communication constitutes and establishes special reality in both the society and the world. Just like the symbolic interactionism, the theory cultural approach to organization asserts that communication is the most important humanizing function that engages various people (Mortensen, 190). The theory also gives priority to the language because it provides an important role in determining the common meaning of an organizational culture (Chitode, 132). Most importantly, it proposes that managers in an organization must understand the corporate culture in order to establish appropriate communication.

nRelational dialectics theory examines the close communication in a relationship. The theory noted that social life is a product of many contradictions. In addition, it posits that personal relationships are constant network between opposing or contrary tendencies. Furthermore, it describes the personal strains in close ties (Littlejohn and Foss, 101). Contradictions form an important role in the relational dialects ideas. In this regard, contradictions mean that there is progressive interaction between united oppositions. In addition, a personal relationship experiences the strain between independence and intimacy (Chitode, 135). Relational dialects draw some concepts from the Meads Symbolic Interactionism because it recommends the use of appropriate language in order to maintain relationships.

nMost importantly, the theory asserts key concepts of symbolic interactionism because it advocates use of dialogue in order to have sustainable relationships. Therefore, relational dialect theory asserts that suitable communication develops and maintains a relationship (Mortensen, 150). Through dialogue, people in a relationship can establish and assess their similarities and differences aiming to maintain their ties (Chitode, 139). Utterances in a conversation or dialogue act as the building blocks of a relationship. Furthermore, just like in symbolic interactionism, dialogue can be a source of unity among people.

nTechnological determinism theory by McLuhan attempts to examine how individuals relate with the media. In addition, it seeks to understand how these relationships influence their experiences and cultures. The theory suggests that symbolic environment is affected by technological changes. Consequently, technological changes affect the peoples behaviors, attitudes, experiences and perceptions (Littlejohn and Foss, 135). Moreover, in spite of the contents it delivers to the people, the media affect the experiences of human beings and produce more changes across the world. Technological determinism theory draws ideas from symbolic interactionism because it proposes that technology in the society affects the cultural values and communication (Chitode, 179). For instance, development of technology such as the Internet has contributed to changes of world cultures and thinking since the world has become a global village.

nMcLuhans arguments assert the symbolic interactionism that media facilitate communication across the globe, which affect their actions, feelings and thinking. Technological determinism posits that language in the printing or electronic press has a power to change life in the world (Littlejohn and Foss, 29). Therefore, the theory suggests that technological inventions have the ability to change culture and human existence. Severin, Werner and Tankard

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nWork cited

nChitode, J. S. Communication Theory. Pune, India: Technical Publications, 2010. Print.

nLittlejohn, Stephen W, and Karen A Foss. Theories Of Human Communication. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2010. Print.

nMortensen, C. David. Communication Theory. 2nd ed. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers, 2011. Print.

nSeverin, Werner J, and James W Tankard. Communication Theories. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, 2010. Print.