What is communication?
Communication is the way people share ideas, thoughts, or feelings with each other. It can happen through talking, writing, or even using body language like gestures and facial expressions. For example, when you tell your friend a story, write a text message, or smile at someone, you are communicating. The goal of communication is to make sure others understand what you are trying to say.
Different Theory of Communication
The constructivism theory
The constructivism theory of communication suggests that people actively build or “construct” their understanding of the world and communicate based on their personal experiences, knowledge, and perceptions. This theory, developed by Jesse Delia, focuses on how individuals make sense of messages and create meaning in their interactions.
Cultivation Theory
The Cultivation Theory, developed by George Gerbner in the 1960s, examines the long-term effects of media, especially television, on people’s perceptions of reality. This theory suggests that consistent exposure to media content can shape how individuals view the world, often aligning their beliefs and attitudes with the messages presented in the media.
Communication Accommodation Theory
The Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), developed by Howard Giles in the 1970s, explores how and why people adjust their communication styles during interactions. The theory suggests that individuals change the way they speak, behave, or express themselves to better connect with others or to differentiate themselves.
Cultural Studies Theory
The Cultural Studies Theory, primarily developed by Stuart Hall and other scholars in the 20th century, examines how culture, power, and media influence communication. It focuses on how media and messages are created, shared, and interpreted within different cultural contexts, emphasizing that communication is not just about information exchange but is deeply shaped by societal power structures and ideologies.
Dramatism Theory
The Dramatism Theory, developed by Kenneth Burke, views communication as a form of dramatic action. It suggests that life and communication can be understood as if they were part of a play, where people act out roles, use symbols, and interact to achieve specific goals or resolve conflicts. Burke’s theory focuses on understanding human motivation and how people use language and symbols to influence others.
Social Exchange Theory
The Social Exchange Theory explains how people decide to stay in or leave relationships based on what they get and what they give. It’s like balancing a scale—people want more good things (rewards) and fewer bad things (costs).
Social Learning Theory
The Social Learning Theory, developed by Albert Bandura, explains how people learn new behaviors by watching and copying others. It highlights the role of observation, imitation, and the environment in shaping how we act.
Symbolic Interaction Theory
The Symbolic Interaction Theory explains how people use symbols, like words, gestures, and actions, to communicate and create meaning in social interactions. It focuses on the idea that our understanding of the world comes from the meanings we attach to things through our interactions with others.
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
The Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT), developed by Charles Berger and Richard Calabrese, explains how people communicate to reduce uncertainty about others when they first meet. It focuses on how we try to gather information about someone to feel more comfortable and make interactions smoother.
Uses and Gratifications Theory
The Uses and Gratifications Theory explains why people use media and how it satisfies their personal needs or desires. Unlike some theories that focus on what media does to people, this theory focuses on what people do with media. It highlights that audiences actively choose media based on their goals.
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