Models of Communication
Key Terms
Traditions
Contexts
Theory and Research
100
Why is the communication process defined as a helix?
1. Points are irrepeatable

2. Points are irreversable



100
Define social
Typically occurs between 2 or more people
100
What is the semiotic tradition and how do we achieve meaning based on it?
Study of signs

Meaning is achieved as we share a common language

100
What is intrapersonal context?
Communication with one's self
100
Describe a positive and negative relationship in terms of independent and dependent variables
Positive Relationship: they both go in the same direction


Negative Relationship: They both go in opposite directions

200
What was the first communication model and what factors did it incorporate?
Communication as an action - The linear model.

Sender/Source, Noise Message, Target/Receiver

200
What are symbols as applied to communication?
Words themselves are symbols. Nonverbal communications send messages
200
What is the rhetorical tradition and elements does it pertain to?
Talk as a practical art


Elements pertaining to audience and language. Concerns the influence of speech

200
What is small group context and what must be the intent of the interaction?
Communication among at least 3 people


Members need to be working towards a common goal/purpose

200
How are nominal concepts different from real concepts?
Nominal concepts: not observable ((love or self esteem))


Real concepts: are observable ((# of head nods))

300
What is the second model of communication and what components were added to the model to expand upon the first?
Communication as interaction - The interactional model. 

Incorporated feedback and field of experience, yet still didn't capture communication as an ongoing process.

300
Define meaning in terms of communication.
Processing messages; What do we extract from symbols
300
What is critical tradition and what does it concern?
Concerned with injustice, oppression, power, and linguistic dominance. 

Involves the critique of social order

300
What is the organizational context and what is it concerned with?
Communication within and among large, extended environments

Concerned with climate, rules, and personnel

300
What is one way you can evaluate a theory?
Scope: refers to the breadth of communication behaviors covered by a theory

Logical consistency: refers to the internal logic in the theoretical statements; the extents to which the theory makes sense and does not contain contradictions

Parsimony: refers to the simplicity of the explanation provided by explanation

Utility: Refers to the theory's usefulness or practical value

Also : testability, heurism, test of time

400
What is the third (and most current) model of communication and what did it factor in that made it the most accurate model? 
Communication as a transaction - The transactional model. 

Noted communication as a process that occurred continuously.

400
Define environment in the context of communication
Situation or context; time of day, historical period
400
What is the cybernetic tradition and what type of view of communication does it take?
Examines communication from a broad view


Mechanistic view of communication/ view as a system

400
What is mass media context?
Communication to large audience via mediated channel. (tv, radio..)
400
What is the positivist empirical approach?
Assumes the existance of objective reality and value-neutral research

Goal is to construct general laws governing human interactions

Positive= people who use the scientific method/ want to generalize

500
What are the four types of noise that will impede a message? 
Semantic- jargon/slang


Physical- Static, loud truck

Psychological- prejudice, bias, mood

Physiological- Biological influence


500
Define process in terms of communication
ongoing and unending; cyclical
500

What does phenomenological tradition concern?

Experiencing of otherness


Individuals belief system should not influence dialogue taking place.

500
What is public (rhetorical) context? 
Dissemination of information from one person to a large group
500
What are the three goals of theories?
Explaination- we explain exactly what is going on

Prediction- we want to predict the future

Control- ability to control future events

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