Objective Theory
Interpretive Theory
Name the theory
Examples
Characteristics
100

Truth is defined in this way by objective theorists

singular

100

Truth is defined in this way by interpretive scholars

socially constructed

100

the ongoing use of language and gestures in anticipation of how the other will react; a conversation

symbolic interaction

100

The tribal age, print age and electronic age are examples of this theory

Media ecology

100

The masculine power to name experience is a characteristic of this theory

Muted Group Theory

200

A good objective theory is testable and can be disproved if it is wrong

Falsifiability
200

A good interpretive theory reveals unjust communication practices that create or perpetuate an imbalance of power

Social Reform

200

Interpersonal relationships are created through the interplay of discourses that struggle with each other

Relational Dialectics

200

Receiving more than 250,000 letters asking Robert Young, the lead in the hit TV series Marcus Welby, M.D. for medical advice, is an example of this theory

Uses and Gratifications

200

Managerialism values control over all other concerns and is criticized in this theory

Critical theory of communication in organizations

300

The purpose of objective theory is to establish this type of law

universal

300

The purpose of interpretive theory is to act as this type of a guide

Interpretive

300

Persons-in-conversation co-construct their own social realities and are shaped by the worlds they create

Coordinated management of meaning; CMM

300

Would I lie for a dollar? is an example of this theory

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

300

The stories we tell differ from the stories we live is a claim from this theory

Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM)

400

Objective research gathers evidence in this form

quantitative research, numbers, experiments, surveys

400

Interpretive research gathers evidence in this form

qualitative research, words, interviews, textual analysis, ethnography

400

African American men are at a distinct disadvantage when they interact with people in the dominant culture. They adopt a communication orientation based on their preferred outcome and communication approach

Co-cultural theory

400

The Help shares stories of dirt-poor, African American women and illustrates this theory

Standpoint Theory

400

This theory seeks to change the man-made linguistic system that keeps women "in their place"

Muted Group theory

500

A good objective theory follows the rule of parsimony

relative simplicity; accept the simpler version

500

a good interpretive theory does not attempt to understand all people but instead ...

particular people in a community; situated meaning; local knowledge

500

The art of discovering all available means of persuasion - including three proofs

Rhetoric

500

How Extreme Makeover: Home Edition reinforces the myth of the American Dream is an example of this theory

Cultural Studies

500

Relational turbulence, or negative emotions arising from perceived problems in a close relationship, is examined in this theory

Uncertainty Reduction Theory