Theories of Human Communication

Communication isgrounded firmly in the intellectual history of the United States throughout thetwentieth century. During this period, the nation was “on the move” in terms ofefforts to advance technology, improve society, fight tyranny, and foster the spreadof capitalism. Communication figured prominently in these movements andbecame central to suc

A fourth element identified as part of the practical-action theoretical paradigmis that theories affect the reality they are covering.

Questions of value probe aesthetic, pragmatic, and ethical qualities of the observed:

Non-Western theories tend to focus on wholeness and unity, whereas Western perspectives sometimes measure parts withoutnecessarily being concerned about an ultimate integration or unification of thoseparts. In addition, much Western theory is dominated by a vision of individualism:People are considered to be deliberate and active in achieving perso

Communication is one of those everyday activities intertwined with all of human life so completely that we sometimes overlook its pervasiveness, importance, and complexity. In this book, we treat communication ascentral to human life. Every aspect of our daily lives is affected by our communication with others, as well as by messages from people we

ests in what communication can accomplish and the outcomes it produces.

Robyn Penman has outlined five tenets of a practical-action approach

Theories arespecial forms of communication, so theories constitute, or make, an experience ofcommunication.

A definition should be evaluated on the basis of how well it helps a scholaranswer the question he or she is investigating.