Common Sense
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
The Meaning of Meaning
100

What situations will Common Sense help us navigate?

What is: concrete, everyday situations. 

100

What is the goal of a theory?

Understanding. 

100

A behavioral scientist takes this approach to communication 

The Objective Approach 

100

What does it mean when an Interpretive Theory reforms society?

People will rethink their values/norms and makes the world a better place.

100

The meaning is in ______, not in _______.

The meaning is in people, not in the words themselves

200

What are the 2 defining features of common sense?

What are: Practicality and Dealing with Concrete Situations. 

200

What does Judee Burgoon call a theory?

"A set of systematic, informed hunches about the way things work."

200

The Universal Law states: 

"Most of the People, Most of the Time." 

200

What part of a scientific theory must be testable?

The Hypothesis.

200

What are the 3 components of meaning?

1. A Sign (smoke = fire) 

2. A Symbol (created to represent something not present) 

3. The Context (where the sender and receiver come from/their background) 

300

What are the 3 errors of common sense?

What are:

1. Flawed model of individual behavior

2. Flawed model of collective behavior

3. We learn less from history than we think

300

Which theory metaphor best fits this scenario: 

"Maria's theory shows her a path of where she starts and where the theory should lead." 

What is: A Map Metaphor 

300

What does a Rhetorician do?

Studies symbols and their interpretations, assuming that multiple truths or meanings are possible. 

300

Matthew manipulates two variables in his study to see how they change the outcome. What kind of Objective Research Method is he using?

An Experiment. 

300

The dictionary word for something is called the ______ Meaning, whereas the personal meaning you give to the same thing is called the _______ Meaning

1. Denotative Meaning

2. Connotative Meaning 

400

What is a synonym for common sense?

What is: Folk Knowledge or Practical Knowledge

400

Which approach to communication are the following: 

1. Linear (Aristotle-1940s)

2. Linear with Feedback (1940s-1970s) 

3. Non-Linear (1970s-Present)

1. Action

2. Reaction 

3. Transaction

400

What is the difference between Determinism and Free Will?

Determinism: Human choice is minimal and assumes the behavior is caused by heredity and the environment. 

Free Will: Every act is voluntary and our behavior is attributed to personal intent. 


400
Jessica travels to New Zealand to study their way of communicating and their cultural norms. She stays with them, living among the people, for an extended period of time while conducting her study. What Interpretive Research Method is Jessica using?

Ethnography.

400

What are the 3 parts of the Semantic Triangle?

1. The Word (C-A-T)

2. The Thought (what we think of when we see "Cat")

3. The Referent (the actual thing being referenced)

500

To what extent is common sense common? (Hint: Tacit Knowledge) 

To the extent that people share common social and cultural experiences. 

Tacit: Knowledge that is encoded in social norms, customs, and practices of the world

500

What are the 6 parts of communication according to Frank Dance?

The Message

Text

Creation of Messages

Interpretation of Messages 

A Relational Process

Elicit a Response 

500

What is an interpretive guide?

The understanding of something as it is, in that particular moment.

500

Name the 5 Aspects of Each Theory 

Scientific: 1. Explanation of the data; 2. Prediction of the future; 3. Testable hypothesis; 4. Relative simplicity; 5. Practical utility. 

Interpretive: 1. New understanding of people; 2. Clarification of values; 3. A community of agreement; 4. Aesthetic appeal; 5. Reform of society. 

500

What is sorting things into categories, terms, and objects using language (sorting from abstract to concrete) called?

The Ladder of Abstraction 

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