Theory

By :
Katelyn Faith B. De Jesus
Shamira Aguilar
Question (Spoiler)

Do You have
any
“theories”
about Squid
Game?
 What is a Theory?
• The branch of knowledge dealing with the principles and
methods by which information is conveyed.
• Communication theory was proposed by S. F. Scudder in
the year 1980. It states that all living beings existing on
the planet communicate although the way of
communication is different.
• A theory can illuminate an aspect of your communication
so that you understand the process much more clearly
• Models of communication aim to illustrate these theories
with conceptual representations to explain the process of
human communication
Function of a Theory?
 What is a Paradigm?
• Philosopher Thomas Kuhn (1970) is generally
credited with having introduced the term
"paradigm"
• refer to a broad framework that guides the
thinking and research of scholars over a long
period of time as they conduct research and
develop specific theories.
 What is a Paradigm?
•  the concept of paradigm is quite useful for
understanding the evolution of thought.
• paradigms change as a result of anomalies

Paradigm Shift
- defined as "an important change that happens when
the usual way of thinking about or doing something is
replaced by a new and different way."
 What is Metatheory?

• Defined as a theory concerned with the

investigation, analysis, or description
of theory itself. (Merriam-Webster)
Metatheory addresses three assumptions.
• Epistemology – The nature of knowledge. How do we
know what we know?

• Ontology – The nature of being/existence. Why do

we do what we do?

• Axiology – The nature of values. What do we value?

 Are the objects of value subjective psychological
states, or objective states of the world.
 Purpose of Metatheory

• The purpose of metatheory is to explicitly

articulate and critique the metatheoretical
assumptions that underlie theories and to
articulate normative metatheoretical principles to
guide the creation and assessment of theories.
Metatheory addresses questions such as:
• What is theory?

• What are the purposes of the theory?

• How should the theories be constructed?

• How should they be tested or critiqued, and by

what criteria?
Evaluation of Communication
Theory
Six crucial qualities (Littlejohn)
• Scope

• Parsimony

• Heuristic Value

• Openness

• Appropriateness

• Validity
• Scope – is the breadth of the theory.  A theory needs to cover
a scope of events, not just a single observation.

• Parsimony – level of simplicity. Simplicity contributes to a

theories ability to accurately predict. Because simplicity
allows for a gain in fit of data.

• Heuristic Value – is the theory’s ability to generate other

theories. Example is Bales’ theory of interaction process
which initiated a large amount of research and theorizing.  

• Openness – When a theory is open this means that it

recognizes other perspectives and options.
• Appropriateness - refers to the fit between the research question and
theory used to answer it.

• Validity – relates to value of the theory or correspondence and fit of

the theory. The theory needs to explain the phenomena and predict
accurately.

Other qualities not included:

• Testability – This refers to the ability to run an experiment to test a

hypothesis or theory. A good theory should be based on systematic
testing rather that experience or received wisdom.

• Logical structure – It should be clear, consistent, and as simple as

possible. It should be well-organized and easy to understand.
• Robert Mcphee states that theories need to meet
three ideals: it needs to have range or be used to
explain various phenomena; it needs to have
logical rigor and power through precise and clear
theoretical explanations; and, it needs to be able
to be tested to provide trustworthiness for its
explanations.
 References
• https://www.dictionary.com/browse/science
• https://
www.managementstudyguide.com/communication
-theory.htm
• https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introductionto
communication/chapter/functions-of-communicati
on-theory
/
• https://
www.encyclopedia.com/media/encyclopedias-alm
anacs-transcripts-and-maps/paradigm-and-commu
nication
 References
• https://communication.binus.ac.id/2016/06/25/w
hat-you-need-to-know-about-metatheory/
• https
://courses.lumenlearning.com/introductiontocom
munication/chapter/chapter-5-summary/
• https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/value-theory/
• http
://professorjoosten.blogspot.com/2015/09/from-t
heory-to-metatheory.html
• https://slideplayer.com/slide/12906714/
• https
://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metath