Theoretical Traditions

Rhetorical

-Theories about artful public address -Eloquent delivery -Powerful use of language -Example: --African-American preaching style effectiveness

Socio-Cultural

-Theories about creating and enacting culture through communication -Culture shapes communication --Example: wedding ceremonies then and now -Communication shapes culture --Example: changing "firemen" to "firefighters" -women's liberation movement

Socio-Psychological

-Theories about interpersonal interaction and influence -People responding to people -Examples: --Physical attractiveness in job hiring --Children responding differently to step parents than biological parents

Cybernetic

-Theories about the process itself, not the message -About how the process is working -Channels, processing, and feedback -Examples: --Teaching a 20 person vs. 100 person class

Critical

-Theories about the role of communication in perpetuation injustice -Expose what's wrong in society -Speaks the truth and leaves everyone to figure it out on their own -Example: --We should stop saying "that's gay"

Semiotic

-Theories about the use of signs and symbols to convey meeting -Verbal and nonverbal cues -Looking at words as a symbol -Words are arbitrary- meaning different things -Words and symbols change over time -Example: --The meaning of thumbs up in Africa

Phenomenological

-Theories about understanding the communication of yourself and others -Seeking to know the person from the inside out -Empathy- feeling what the other person is feeling