A First Look at Communication Theory

This text presents 34 communication theories, from classic to new work, based on one chapter per theory. Extended examples are used to explain each theory, which should help students understand theories by applying their explanations and predictions to real-life situations. Ethics are covered in a special chapter and throughout the text, helping students to focus on the ethical implications of communication theories. Each chapter concludes with a critique of the theory, summarizing its strengths and weaknesses and raising critical questions to encourage analysis and give students an appreciation of the on-going process of communication research. Cartoons are also included to illustrate important concepts. Chapter One provides criteria for determining what makes a communication theory good, encouraging critical thinking from the start. This edition features a new chapter on the history of the communication discipline and a chapter that explains and illustrates two different approaches to communication research and theory: social scientific and humanistic. Totally new sections on intercultural communication and gender communication are also included. Ten new theories are presented, including William Gudykunst's anxiety/uncertainty management theory, Stella Ting-Toomey's face-negotiation theory and Deborah Tannen's genderlect styles.

Em Griffin is Professor of Communication at Wheaton College in Illinois, where he has taught for the past twenty-six years and has been chosen Teacher of the Year. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication from Northwestern University. His research interest centers on the development of close friendships. Professor Griffin is the author of three applied communication books: The Mind Changers analyzes practical techniques of persuasion; Getting Together offers research-based suggestions for effective group leadership; and Making Friends describes the way that quality interpersonal communication can build close relationships. He also speaks and leads workshops on these topics in the United States, Singapore, and the Philippines. Professor Griffin’s wife, Jean, is an artist. They have two adult children, Jim and Sharon.