1. The Communicator Theories that focus on the individual Chapter 4

2. The Individual & Western Society Theoretical traditions included: Sociopsychological Cybernetic Sociocultural Rhetorical Critical

3. Sociopsychological Tradition Evaluates the individual Two Major Areas: Trait Theory Cognition and Information Processing

4. Trait Theory Super traits Five Factor Model John Digman Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Agreeableness Conscientiousness

5. Explaining communication behavior with 5 Factors

6. Trait Theory Biology determines traits Commonly researched areas: Argumentativeness Positive Debating topics without arguing

7. Social & Communicative Anxiety Communication apprehension (CA) Trait CA Pathological CA Social avoidance & anxiety Interaction Anxiety Shyness Symptoms Physiological, behavioral, cognitive

8. Cognition & Information Processing Sociopsychological Tradition Uses cognition combined with other systems to explain behavior Four Theories Attribution Theory Social Judgment Theory Elaboration Likelihood Theory Heuristic-Systematic Theory

9. Attribution Theory Uses reason to explain our and others behavior Three steps: Observe, Consider intent, decide cause Causal attributions: Situational Personal effects Ability Effort Desire Sentiment Belonging Obligation Permission

10. Social Judgment Theory (SJT) Social perception Judgments made based on internal reference point (anchor) Q – Sort Latitudes Acceptance Rejection Noncommitment Influenced by ego involvement

11. SJT Two effects that distort the communication: Contrast Assimilation How does social judgment facilitate change? Latitude of acceptance Latitude of rejection Boomerang

12. Elaboration Likelihood Theory (ELT) Petty & Cacioppo Persuasion theory Works to explain how we evaluate messages Elaboration Likelihood Central Route = critical thinking Peripheral Route = lack of critical thinking Research

13. ELT Research Comprehensive Exam Group 1Next yearHS Source Carnegie Commission Group 210 yearsHS Source Carnegie Comm. Source

14. Heuristic-Systematic Model Chaiken Dual process to evaluate persuasion Two levels Heuristic = schemata Patterns of thought Cues used: Communicator Context Message

15. Heuristic-Systematic Model Systematic Increased depth of critical analysis Sufficiency principle High motivation and concern lends to systematic approach Concurrent processing How does the choice impact persuasion?

16. Cybernetic Tradition Three theories discussed Information – integration Theory of Cognitive Dissonance Problematic – Integration

17. Information-Integration Approach Evaluates how people gather & organize information Different variations: Original Formulation Expectancy – Value theory Theory of Reasoned Action

18. Original Formulation Two variables Valence Does information support current beliefs? Positive or negative affect Weight Credibility of information

19. Theory of Cognitive Dissonance Leon Festinger Cognitive elements (CE) Piece of knowledge Relationships between CE Cognitive Irrelevance Cosonant Dissonance

20. Cognitive Dissonance Dissonance Two CE are in opposition individual experiences tension and stress Causes person to work to reduce or avoid the dissonance Variables that determine extent of dissonance Increases as number of elements increase Increases when the CE is held in high importance

21. Cognitive Dissonance Dealing with dissonance Change cognitions Adding cognitions Alter importance Misinterpret information

22. Unpleasant state or tension Smoking is unhealthy I smoke cigarettes Cognitive Dissonance

23. Sociocultural Tradition Theories based in Sociocultural Tradition Symbolic Interactionism Communication Theory of Identity

24. Symbolic Interactionism George Herbert Mead Evolving understanding of Social Interaction Mead added human consciousness Significant gestures or symbols Mead Symbolic versus non-symbolic

25. C.K. Ogden and I.A. Richards: Triangle of Meaning

26. Communication From gestures to language Interpretation of Stimulus Sender Receiver Role taking in communication Self – talk Plan of Action Orientational Others

27. Communication Theory of Identity Who am I? Indentity IndividualCommunalSocietal COMMUNICATION

28. Dimensions of Identity Feelings Affective Domain Thoughts Cognitive Actions Behavioral Relationship Spiritual Power of Identity

29. Sense of self in social situations Personal Insi ghts abo ut self bas ed on wha t you do, hav e, or how you act Enactment Who you are in relation with others Relational Identity of self among a culture or large group Communal

30. Rhetorical Tradition Theory Richard Weaver’s Theory of Truth and Rhetoric Human composed of three parts Physical Mind or thoughts Soul

31. Three levels of knowledge Ideas about thing Beliefs and convictions Metaphysical dreams Truth

32. Three major sources Argument User reveal the truth & values to which they subscribe Grammatical Categories Type of sentence format reveals the speaker’s worldview Passive or action sentences (nouns or verbs) Ultimate terms Terms sanctioned by culture that represent absolute views