Communication Theories

Perspectives, Processes,
and Contexts
Second Edition

Katherine Miller
Texas A § M University

Boston Burr Ridge, IL Dubuque, IA Madison, WI New York San Francisco St. Louis
Bangkok Bogota Caracas Kuala Lumpur Lisbon London Madrid Mexico City
Milan Montreal New Delhi Santiago Seoul Singapore Sydney Taipei Toronto
 Table of Contents
Preface ix

P A R T O N E

PERSPECTIVES ON COMMUNICATION THEORY

C H A P T E R

Conceptual Foundations:
1 What Is Communication? 2
Defining Communication 3
Moving beyond Definitions 11
Summary 18

C H A P T E R

2 Philosophical Foundations:
What Is Theory? 20
The Nature of Theory 21
Metatheoretical Considerations 26
Theory in the Communication Discipline 31

C H A P T E R

3 Post-Positivist Perspectives
on Theory Development 35
Philosophical Roots: Positivism 36
Post-Positivism in Social Research Today 38
Post-Positivism in Communication Research 48

iv
 Table of Contents

C H A P T E R

4 Interpretive Perspectives
on Theory Development 51
Historical Background 51
Foundational Theoretical Positions 52
Interpretive Theory in Communication 57
Structure and Function of Interpretive Theory 59
Summary 64

C H A P T E R

5 Critical Perspectives
on Theory Development 66
Historical Roots of Critical Theory 67
Contemporary Critical Theory 70
Critical Perspectives in Communication 75
Summary 80

P A R T T W O

THEORIES OF
COMMUNICATION PROCESSES 83

C H A P T E R

6 Theories of Symbolic Organization 84

Social Scientific Approaches to Symbolic Organization 85
Humanistic Approaches to Symbolic Organization 92
Comparison and Commentary 101
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C H A P T E R

7 Theories of Message Production

Constructivist Theory 105
104

Action Assembly Theory 111

Planning and Goals 116
Comparison and Commentary 118

C H A P T E R

8 Theories of Message Processing

Three Classic Models of Persuasion 125
124

Elaboration Likelihood Model 129

Inoculation Theory 133
Problematic Integration Theory 137
Comparison and Commentary 142

C H A P T E R

9 Theories of Discourse
and Interaction 145
Speech Act Theory 145
Coordinated Management of Meaning Theory 148
Communication Accommodation Theory 153
Expectancy Violation and Interaction Adaptation Theories 158
Comparison and Commentary 163

C H A P T E R

10 Theories of Communication
in Developing Relationships 166
Social Penetration Theory 166
Uncertainty Reduction Theory 175
Comparison and Commentary 183
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C H A P T E R

ll Theories of Communication
in Ongoing Relationships 186
Relational Systems Theory: The Palo Alto Group 186
Theories of Relational Dialectics 194
Comparison and Commentary 204

P A R T T H R E E

THEORIES OF COMMUNICATION CONTEXTS 207

C H A P T E R

Theories of Organizational
12 Communication 208
Weick's Theory of Organizing 209
Structuration Theory 213
The Text and Conversation of Organizing 218
Unobtrusive and Concertive Control Theory 223
Comparison and Commentary 226

C H A P T E R

Theories of Small Group

13 Communication 228
Formative Research in Group Interaction 228
Functional Theory 230
Structurational Approaches 236
Symbolic Convergence Theory 241
Comparison and Commentary 245
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C H A P T E R

Theories of Media Processing

14 and Effects 248
The Development of Media Effects Research 248
Social Cognitive Theory 251
Uses and Gratifications Theory 256
Media Systems Dependency Theory 261
Comparison and Commentary 265

C H A P T E R

15 Theories of Media and Society

Agenda Setting Theory 269
269

Spiral of Silence Theory 276

Cultivation Theory 281
Comparison and Commentary 287

C H A P T E R

16 Theories of Culture
and Communication 290
Speech Codes Theory 292
Theories of Face and Culture 299
Theories of Co-cultural Groups 303
Comparison and Commentary 310

Bibliography 312
Index 346