Post on 23-Feb-2016
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The Idea of TheoryChapter Two
Communication TheoryTheory definedVariations of theory
How they are generatedType of research usedHow they are presentedWhat communication they address
Function of theoriesExplain, understand, interpret, judge, and focusRepresent how individual “sees” the environment, not reality
Example
Dimensions of Theory1. Philosophical Assumptions
• Epistemology, Ontology, Axiology
2. Concepts3. Explanations4. Principles
Philosophical Assumptions
EpistemologyStudies knowledgeThree primary focus of communication based questions
What extent existsWhat extent is certainProcess for gaining knowledge
RationalismEmpiricismConstructivismSocial construction
OntologyExistenceWorks hand in hand with epistemologyFocus
Nature of human social interactionFour issues:
To what extent do humans make real choices?Determinists & Pragmatists
Is human behavior best understood in terms of traits?
State view & Trait viewIs human behavior primarily individual or social?To what extent is communication circumstantial?
AxiologyValueThree axiological issues:
Theory value free?To what extent does inquiry affect what is seen?Should scholarship achieve change or generate knowledge?
Two general positions for scholarship:Value FreeValue conscious
Second Dimension of Theory: Concepts
Terms, categories, & definitionsGoal of theory
Formulate and discuss set of labeled concepts
TaxonomiesTheories that stop at conceptual level
Third dimension of theory: Explanations
3rd dimension of theoryShow relationships and provide explanations Answer why?
Causal explanation Practical explanation
Fourth dimension of theory:
PrinciplesPrinciple defined:Guideline that enables interpretation, judgment & decision
Three partsSituationValueAction
Nomothetic TheoryGoal:
Seek universal laws to depict accurately how social life works
Research approach: Hypothetico – deductive or variable – analytic tradition
Four processesDeveloping questionsForming hypothesesTesting hypotheses Formulating theory
FalsifiableCausality
Philosophical Assumptions of Nomothetic Theory
EpistemologyEmpiricist & rationalist
OntologyBehavior determined by & responsive to biology & environment
AxiologyValue neutral
Concepts of Nomothetic Theory
Operationalized Operational definition
Relies on measurement
Validity of MeasurementReliability Validity
Example: College students enrolled in HE majors will report a higher level of cyberbullying others than those in HA majors.
Explanations in Nomothetic Theory
CausalScientific realism Communication theorists adopting nomothetic
Commit to importance of conceptReduce to categoriesAvoid extraneous conceptsDetermine causal relationshipsCommit to reliablity
Practical TheoryGoal:
Improve life in concrete ways Capture the differences among situationsProvide a set of understanding to achieve goals
Robyn Penman’s Five Tenets of Practical TheoryAction is voluntary & individualKnowledge is createdTheories are historical and change according to settings & timesTheories affect the reality they are coveringTheories are never neutral
Philosophical Assumptions of Practical TheoryEpistemology
People take active role
OntologyIndividuals are goal-oriented agents
AxiologyLargely value conscious
Concepts and Explanations of Practical Theory