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