Figure 1.

Classification of communication theories according to seven theoretical traditions (Craig, 2007) and to the
objective/interpretive worldview (Griffin, 2004)

Objective In- Interpretive Theoretical Tradition Proponent

Interpersonal Communication
1. Symbolic interactionism
2. Coordinated management of meaning
3. Expectancy violations theory
4. Interpersonal deception theory
5. Constructivism
6. Social penetration theory
7. Uncertainty reduction theory
8. The interactional view
9. Relational dialectics
10. Social judgment theory
11. Elaboration likelihood theory
12. Cognitive dissonance theory
between
ƒ Socio-cultural George Herbert Mead
ƒ Socio-cultural and W. Barnett Pearce & Vernon
phenomenological Cronen
ƒ Socio-psychological Judee Burgoon
ƒ Socio-psychological David Buller & Judee Burgoon
ƒ Socio-psychological & Jess Delia
rhetorical
ƒ Socio-psychological Irwin Altman & Dalmas Taylor
ƒ Socio-psychological Charles Berger
ƒ Cybernetic Paul Watzlawick
ƒ Phenomenological Leslie Baxter & Barbara
Montgomery
ƒ Socio-psychological Muzafer Sherif
ƒ Socio-psychological Richard Petty and John
Cacioppo
ƒ Socio-psychological Leon Festinger

Group and public communication

1. Functional perspective on group ƒ Socio-psychological and Randy Hirokawa & Dennis
decision making cybernetic Gouran
2. Adaptive structuration theory ƒ Socio-cultural & Marshall Scott Poole
cybernetic
3. Symbolic convergence theory ƒ Socio-psychological & Ernest Bormann
rhetorical
4. Information systems approach ƒ Cybernetic Karl Weick
5. Cultural approach ƒ Socio-cultural Clifford Geertz & Michael
Pacanowsky
6. Critical theory of communication ƒ Critical & Stanley Deetz
approach phenomenological
7. The Rhetoric ƒ Rhetorical Aristotle
8. Dramatism ƒ Rhetorical and semiotic Kenneth Burke
9. Narrative paradigm ƒ Rhetorical Walter Fisher

1
Mass communication
1. Technological determinism ƒ Socio-cultural Marshall McLuhan
2. Semiotics ƒ Semiotic Roland Barthes
3. Cultural studies ƒ Critical Stuart Hall
4. Cultivation theory ƒ Socio-cultural and socio- George Gerbner
psychological
5. Agenda-setting theory ƒ Socio-psychological Maxwell McComs and Donald
Shaw
6. The media equation ƒ Socio-psychological Byron Reeves and Clifford
Nass

Cultural context
1. Anxiety/ Uncertainty management ƒ Socio-psychological William Gudykunst
theory
2. Face-negotiation theory ƒ Socio-cultural and socio- Stella Ting-Toomey
psychological
3. Speech codes theory ƒ Socio-cultural Gerry Philipsen
4. Genderlect styles ƒ Semiotic and socio- Deborah Tannen
cultural
5. Standpoint theory ƒ Critical Sandra Harding and Julia T.
Wood
6. Muted group theory ƒ Critical Cheris Kramarae

2
Figure 1. Movies for communication theories according to seven theoretical traditions (Craig, 2007) and to the
objective/interpretive worldview (Griffin, 2004)

Theories Objective In- Interpretive Theoretical Tradition Proponent Movies

betwe
en
Interpersonal
Communication
1. Symbolic ƒ Socio-cultural George Herbert Mead My Fair Lady
interactionism Nell
Black Like Me
Pay it Forward
Stand and deliver
Welcome to the Doll House
She’s all that
2. Coordinated ƒ Socio-cultural and W. Barnett Pearce & Chocolat
management of phenomenological Vernon Cronen Don Juan de Marco
meaning Life is beautiful
3. Expectancy ƒ Socio-psychological Judee Burgoon The African Queen
violations theory Almost famous
North by Northwest
Shrek
4. Interpersonal ƒ Socio-psychological David Buller & Judee House of Games
deception theory Burgoon The Sting
Secrets and lies
The talented Mr. Ripley
5. Constructivism ƒ Socio-psychological & Jess Delia Dead man walking
rhetorical To Kill a mockingbird
Anne of Green Gables
6. Social penetration ƒ Socio-psychological Irwin Altman & Dalmas Brothers McMullen
theory Taylor Coming Home
Sleepless in Seattle
The Breakfast Club
7. Uncertainty ƒ Socio-psychological Charles Berger Driving Miss Daisy
reduction theory Down in the Delta
Thousand Acres
8. The interactional ƒ Cybernetic Paul Watzlawick Ordinary People
view Parenthood
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
When a Man Loves a Woman
A River Runs Through it
9. Relational dialectics ƒ Phenomenological Leslie Baxter & Barbara Beaches
Montgomery Children of a Lesser God
The Story of Us
10. Social judgment ƒ Socio-psychological Muzafer Sherif Dead Man Walking
3
 theory A Civil Action
The Big Kahuna
Schindler’s List
11. Elaboration ƒ Socio-psychological Richard Petty and John Norma Rae
likelihood theory Cacioppo Twelve Angry Men
My Cousin Vinny
12. Cognitive ƒ Socio-psychological Leon Festinger Swing Kids
dissonance theory

Group and public

communication
1. Functional ƒ Socio-psychological Randy Hirokawa & Dennis Apollo 13
perspective on and cybernetic Gouran Flight of the Phoenix
group decision
making
2. Adaptive ƒ Socio-cultural & Marshall Scott Poole The Dream Team
structuration theory cybernetic
3. Symbolic ƒ Socio-psychological & Ernest Bormann Dead Poets Society
convergence theory rhetorical
4. Information systems ƒ Cybernetic Karl Weick The Boat
approach
5. Cultural approach ƒ Socio-cultural Clifford Geertz & Michael Good Morning, Vietnam
Pacanowsky Up the Down Staircase
The Firm
6. Critical theory of ƒ Critical & Stanley Deetz Erin Brockovich
communication phenomenological The Insider
approach Silkwood
Roger and Me
7. The Rhetoric ƒ Rhetorical Aristotle Julius Caesar
The Apostle
8. Dramatism ƒ Rhetorical and semiotic Kenneth Burke Malcom X
Hurricane
Snow Falling on Cedars
The Widow of St. Pierre
9. Narrative paradigm ƒ Rhetorical Walter Fisher Smoke
Forrest Gump

Mass communication
1. Technological ƒ Socio-cultural Marshall McLuhan Blade Runner
determinism The Matrix
Medium Cool
War Games
You’ve Got Mail
2. Semiotics ƒ Semiotic Roland Barthes The Manchurian Candidate
3. Cultural studies ƒ Critical Stuart Hall The Year of Living Dangerously
4
 Wag the Dog
Bamboozled
4. Cultivation theory ƒ Socio-cultural and George Gerbner Being There
socio-psychological
5. Agenda-setting ƒ Socio-psychological Maxwell McComs and All the President’s Men
theory Donald Shaw
6. The media equation ƒ Socio-psychological Byron Reeves and Clifford The Truman Show
Nass AI Artificial Intelligence
Avalon

Cultural context
1. Anxiety/ Uncertainty ƒ Socio-psychological William Gudykunst The Chosen
management theory Witness
2. Face-negotiation ƒ Socio-cultural and Stella Ting-Toomey Joy Luck Club
theory socio-psychological Iron and Silk
Hung Ho
Monsoon Wedding
3. Speech codes ƒ Socio-cultural Gerry Philipsen Dances with Wolves
theory Kramer vs. Kramer
Hoop Dreams
4. Genderlect styles ƒ Semiotic and socio- Deborah Tannen When Harry Met Sally
cultural Diner
Steel Magnolias
5. Standpoint theory ƒ Critical Sandra Harding and Julia Beloved
T. Wood The Cider House
Waiting to Exhale
White Man’s Burden
6. Muted group theory ƒ Critical Cheris Kramarae The Little Mermaid
Fried Green Tomatoes
Thelma and Louise

5
OTHERS (for ethical reflections)*

Interpersonal *A Man for All Seasons

*Sophie’s Choice
Group and Public Communication *Chariots of Fire
*Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Mass Communication *Absence of Malice
*Quiz Show
Intercultural *At Play in the Fields of the Lord
A Passage to India
Do the Right Thing
Media effects Network
Bob Roberts
The Candidate
Public Rhetoric Clarence Darrow
Inherit the Wind
Judgment at Nuremberg
Media and culture Network
Broadcast News
Organizational Communication Office Space
Group decision-making Crimson Tide
Stagecoach (1939)
Influence The Color Purple
Stand and Deliver
Relationship maintenance Breaking Away
Relations development Four Weddings and a Funeral
Cognitive Processing At First Sight
Hilary and Jackie
Interpersonal The Miracle Worker