Communication Theory in the 21st Century: A Special Issue of Mass Communication & Society (Mass Communication and Society)

As we move into the 21st century, there is little or no evidence to suggest that any particular theory or perspective will dominate the social sciences in general or the field of communication in particular. In fact, as we progress, the number and variety of theories will continue to grow. The four articles in this special issue are a testament to the fact that pluralism is in. They present various perspectives including cognitive (the third-person effect), structural (ethnic media), cultural (rebellion and ritual in disciplinary histories), and social psychological (uses and gratifications).