1. Chapter 3 Stephen Littlejohn Theories of Human Communication
SYSTEM THEORY
Chapter 3
Stephen Littlejohn
Theories of Human Communication

2. OVERVIEW
System theory is a general theory applied to all levels of communication;
Cybernetcs and information theory are related to system theory;
System theory deals with the interrelated parts of an organization; cybernetics deals with control and regulation in the system, and information theory focuses on organizational patterns;

3. SYSTEM CONCEPTS What is a system?
A set of objects (elements) that interrelate to form a whole;
A closed system: no interchange with its environment (doesn’t apply to social systems);
An open system: one that receives matter and energy from its environment (applies to communication);

4. What is a system? (continued)
Consists of 4 things:
Objects, or parts, elements, or members of the system;
These parts may be physical or abstract;
System consists of attributes;
Internal relationships among its objects (mutual effects);
An environment--they are affected by their surroundings;

5. SYSTEM CONCEPTS Wholeness and interdependence
In a system the whole is more than the sum of its parts;
It is a product of the forces or interactions among its parts;
It s parts cannot be understood separately;
The interdependence creates organization in the system (e.g., a family);

6. SYSTEM CONCEPTS Hierarchy
Systems tend to be embedded within one another;
Every complex system consists of subsystems;
Given that systems are within systems, it is fuzzy as to where to locate the boundary between the system and the environment ;

7. SYSTEM CONCEPTS Self-regulation and control
Systems are often viewed as goal oriented;
They are governed by their purposes;
The parts operate according to guidelines and adapt to the environment on the basis of feedback;
This aspect of system functioning is cybernetics;

8. SYSTEM CONCEPTS Interchange with the environment; Inputs and outputs;
The system affects and is affected by the environment;
Balance (homeostasis);
Self-maintenance;
Sensing deviations from the norm and correcting those “faults”;

9. SYSTEM CONCEPTS Change and adaptability; Equifinality:
The system must adapt to its environment;
Equifinality:
A particular final state may be achieved in different ways;

10. CYBERNETICS
Cybernetics is the study of regulation and control in systems, with emphasis on feedback;
Cybernetics deals with the ways systems gauge their effect and make necessary adjustments;
A thermostat is a good example of a simple feedback mechanism;

11. TWO TYPES OF CYBERNETIC FUNCTIONS
Automatic response to feedback (causal necessity);
Actional response (with intention);
What distinguishes system theory from other approaches is its high level of generality and emphasis on interrelationships among elements, not on the type of necessity employed;

12. INFORMATION THEORY
Grows out of engineering, and is concerned with the quantitative study of information;
The classic work on information theory is found in Claude Shannon’s book, The Mathematical Theory of Communication;

13. BASIC CONCEPTS OF INFORMATION THEORY
Entropy--randomness or lack of organization;
Information is a measure of uncertainty or entropy;
The greater the uncertainty, the more the information;

14. INFORMATION THEORY Information Transmission:
Information theory is not concerned with meaning, only with message transmission and reception;
Information theory offers a linear model of communication, intended for electronic communication devices (see next slide);

15. Shannon & Weaver’s model of communication
Signal Received
Signal
Information
Source
Transmitter
Channel
Receiver
Destination
Noise
Source
Shannon & Weaver’s model of communication
From Mathematical Theory of Communication, 1949

16. YOUR THOUGHTS ON INFORMATION THEORY AND HUMAN COMMUNICATION ???
Littlejohn suggests that Shannon & Weaver’s model,
though widely depicted, has limited relevance to human
communication. It applies to technical devices better than to humans.
Your thoughts, please.

17. CRITICISM OF SYSTEM THEORY
Breadth of the theory an advantage or does it add to
ambiguity?
Does it provide flexibility in application or equivocality?
Is system theory merely a philosophical perspective or
does it provide explanation?

18. CRITICISM (CONTINUED)
Has system theory generated useful research?
Does the system idea reflect reality or is it an arbitrary idea?
Does system theory help to simplify or does it make things
more complicated than they really are?

19. CRITICISM (CONTINUED)
Littlejohn seems to lean toward seeing the ways in which Information Theory doesn’t work for everyday communication;
A measurement tool;
Downplays meaning;
Does not deal with context;
Does not deal with personal factors (learning);
Does not deal with perception & processing;