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What is a Theory?What is a Theory?“An organized set of concepts ,
explanations, and principles of some aspect of human experience” (Littlejohn & Foss, 2005, p. 17).
A plausible explanation for a phenomena
What is a Theory?What is a Theory?“A theory is a way of seeing and
thinking about the world” (Deetz, 1992).
A theory is a lens
What is a Theory?What is a Theory?Theories are constructed by people
Theories emerge out of the research and the deep thinking of people, often scholars
Generally, theories are built upon (or are the reactions to) the earlier theories of others
What is a Theory?What is a Theory?Different theories involve different
aspects of an object or a phenomena. For example:
Broad viewView of one detailHistorical viewProcess view
Communication Communication Theories about communication in
organizations are often grouped within in three broad categories
AKA: Three theoretical perspectives
Theoretical PerspectivesTheoretical PerspectivesTraditional: Organizations are objects
that can be studied and observed
Interpretive: Organizations are shared experiences of those who construct them
Critical: Organizations are instruments of power and control
Communication TheoriesCommunication TheoriesThe textbook organizes various
theories about communication within organizations under the umbrellas of these three perspectives
TraditionalInterpretiveCritical
Example - MeetingsExample - MeetingsLet’s examine the topic of meetings in
organizations
You might look at this topic from one of the three theoretical perspectives
Meetings - Traditional ViewMeetings - Traditional ViewOrganizations are objects that can be
studied and observedWhat was included in the agenda?What action items resulted from the
meeting?Where can the minutes be found?
Meetings - Interpretive ViewMeetings - Interpretive ViewOrganizations are shared experiences
of those who construct themWhy was the meeting necessary? How did participants perceive the
usefulness of the meeting?What was the tone of the meeting?
Meetings – Critical ViewMeetings – Critical ViewOrganizations are instruments of
power and controlWho dominated the meeting?How were differing views handled?Which participants were silent?
MeetingsMeetingsCommunication involving office
meetings was examinedEach perspective drove different
questionsVarying theories would emerge out of
attempts to answer those questions