Understanding Human Communication

Digital collaboration is abundant in today’s world, but it is often problematic and does not provide an apt solution to the human need for comprehensive communication. Humans require more personal interactions beyond what can be achieved online. Returning to Interpersonal Dialogue and Understanding Human Communication in the Digital Age is a collection of innovative studies on the methods and applications of comparing online human interactions to face-to-face interactions. While highlighting topics including digital collaboration, social media, and privacy, this book is a vital reference source for public administrators, educators, businesses, academicians, and researchers seeking current research on the importance of non-digital communication between people.

Now in its ninth edition, this classic book retains the features that have made it the best-selling introductory human communication text in the field: an engaging and reader-friendly sty an inviting visual design that includes high-interest marginalia on virtually every pa up-to-date information on technology, gender, and cultural diversity; and everyday applications based on solid research and theory. Maintaining the quality of presentation and student-focused pedagogy that have characterized previous editions, Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition, incorporates updated examples and coverage of current communication theory. It continues to equip students with effective communication skills that will make a difference in their everyday lives. Book jacket.

West and Turner's UNDERSTANDING INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: MAKING CHOICES IN CHANGING TIMES, Enhanced Second Edition, empowers you by providing both the knowledge and practical skills you need to be effective communicators in today's rapidly changing and technologically advanced society. An innovative theory-skill framework, integrated in every chapter, uniquely combines theory and practice, eliminating the perceived division between them while clarifying their fundamental interconnections. The text powerfully supports skill development; rather than telling you how to communicate, the authors list a toolbox of key skills pertaining to each theory so you can actively choose and experiment with strategies appropriate for a given situation. Filled with realistic examples and scenarios that reflect the diversity and interactions of today's students, UNDERSTANDING INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: MAKING CHOICES IN CHANGING TIMES, Enhanced Second Edition, makes clear connections between theory, skills, and the life situations we all encounter on a daily basis. This enhanced second edition includes the student workbook bound in at the end of the text, with chapter goals, outlines, interactive student activities, InfoTrac activities, and journal entries. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

This book is unique in the sense that it offers a comprehensive review and analysis of human communication and mediated communication around the world. This is one of the first attempts to do so in a systematic, comprehensive way. It challenges the assumption that Western theories of human communication and mass communication have universal applicability. It surveys the applicability of mass communication theories to other than Western cultures. The book explains the influence of culture on all forms of communication behavior, be it personal, mediated or mass communication. It presents communication theories from around the world, incorporating a vast body of literature from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. This updated information on important international perspectives that includes both interpersonal and mediated communication is presently not readily available in other sources. The book offers an integrated approach to understanding the working of electronic means of communication that are hybrid media combining human and mediated communication. These new media that are often presented as universal are even more culture-bound than the traditional media.

This textbook provides a survey of the Speech and Communication Studies areas of Communication, focusing on human communication through the transactional model of communication. Interpersonal Communication chapters constitute the largest portion of the book, with the Public Speaking chapters the next largest block, followed by the Intercultural and Small Group/Organizational Communication chapters. Homework and/or classroom exercises are provided in nearly every chapter to enable students to learn the related skills and/or reinforce their knowledge. There is a unique money talk section in the Relationship Communication chapter, an in-depth problem-solving exercise with sample content information in the Small Group/Organizational Communication chapter, an overview of controversial Intercultural topics in the Intercultural Communication chapter that can be optional reading, and a step-by-step process for learning how to write thesis sentences in one of the Public Speaking chapters. In addition, instructions for and samples of seven different types of speeches are provided, as well as evaluation forms, to give instructors suitable choices.

For over forty years, Theories of Human Communication has facilitated the understanding of the theories that define the discipline of communication. The authors present a comprehensive summary of major communication theories, current research, extensions, and applications in a thoughtfully organized and engaging style. Part I of the extensively updated twelfth edition sets the stage for how to think about and study communication. The first chapter establishes the foundations of communication theory. The next chapter reviews four frameworks for organizing the theories and their contributions to the nature of inquiry. Part II covers theories centered around the communicator, message, medium, and communication with the nonhuman. Part III addresses theories related to communication contexts—relationship, group, organization, health, culture, and society. “From the Source” contributions from theorists provide insight into the inspirations, motivations, and goals behind the theories. Online instructor’s resource materials include sample syllabi, key terms, exam questions, and text graphics. The theories include those important for their continuing influence in the field as well as emerging theories that encourage thinking about issues in new ways. For a reasonable price, readers are able to explore the patterns, trends, trajectories, and intricacies of the landscape of communication theory and will have an invaluable resource for future reference.

A novel approach to traditional subjects, the wide variety of opinions, and the extensive introductory material lift this book out of the ordinary “readings" class, and will reward the reader with understanding and appreciation of a complex subject. This collection of 37 provocative selections on human communication shares with the reader the experience and insights of some of the best minds in the discipline. The selections for the most part deal with traditional communication topics in a novel way. For example, in the chapter on verbal communication, there is a selection on profane language; in the chapter on nonverbal communication, there is a section entitled “The Silent Language of Love”; in the chapter on small group communication, there’s the Parkinson article on laws in groups; and in the chapter on mass communication, there’s one on today’s interest in sexually oriented magazines. The entire spectrum of topics usually found in beginning courses in speech communication is here. An extensive Section Two includes discussion on the psychological and transactional analysis views of communication. A brief introduction precedes each section focusing on the key ideas of each reading. Sources include the Journal of Communication, Industry Week, Journalism Quarterly, Psychology Today, Supervisory Management, Journal of Social Issues, Harvard Business Review, and Today's Speech.

Use and Understand Interpersonal Communication Theories Engaging Theories in Interpersonal Communication: Multiple Perspectives highlights key theories used to guide interpersonal communication research. The Second Edition features 30 theory chapters written by leading scholars in interpersonal communication, including new coverage of evolutionary theories, Problematic Integration Theory, supportive communication theories, Theory of Motivated Information Management, critical approaches to interpersonal communication, and Media Multiplexity Theory. Each theory chapter follows the same structure to help readers easily find and compare information across theories. An updated introductory chapter maps the history and the current state of interpersonal communication theory since publication of the first edition, based on comprehensive analysis of published scholarship. Presenting both classic and cutting-edge issues, the book organizes theories into three clusters—theories that are individually-centered; theories that are focused on discourse and interaction processes; and theories that examine how communication functions in personal relationships. All authors interweave abstract theoretical concepts with concrete examples in order to maximize readability and comprehension.

This book offers students a comprehensive, theoretical, and practical guide to communication theory. Croucher defines the various perspectives on communication theory—the social scientific, interpretive, and critical approaches—and then takes on the theories themselves, with topics including interpersonal communication, organizational communication, intercultural communication, persuasion, critical and rhetorical theory and other key concepts. Each theory chapter includes a sample undergraduate-written paper that applies the described theory, along with edits and commentary by Croucher, giving students an insider’s glimpse of the way communication theory can be written about and applied in the classroom and in real life. Featuring exercises, case studies and keywords that illustrate and fully explain the various communication theories, Understanding Communication Theory gives students all the tools they need to understand and apply prominent communication theories.

Addresses the state of Chinese communication studies, including its achievements, problems, challenges, and potential for advancement in a globalized 21st century.

Discusses major theories of interpersonal communication.

Klaus Krippendorff is an influential figure in communication studies widely known for his award-winning book Content Analysis. Over the years, Krippendorff has made important contributions to the ongoing debates on fundamental issues concerning communication theory, epistemology, methods of research, critical scholarship, second-order cybernetics, the social construction of reality through language, design, and meaning. On Communicating assembles Krippendorff’s most significant writings – many of which are virtually unavailable today, appearing in less accessible publications, conference proceedings, out-of-print book chapters, and articles in journals outside the communication field. In their totality, they provide a goldmine for communication students and scholars. Edited and with an introduction by Fernando Bermejo, this book provides readers with access to Krippendorff’s key works.

As managerial work regimes move continuously towards post-industrialism, forms of communication change with it and work relationships are increasingly becoming communicative relationships. This book seeks to end communicative distortions by establishing a new model of communication that will set up practical and workable communication forums.