Kathryn Kalogeris

Professor Berkos
Senior Seminar

Introduction to Communication Theory

Communication is a complex term to define because everyone has a different
interpretation of what it is and means. To me communication when two or more individuals
share a message, and the receiver puts meaning to the message. Communication can be both
verbal and nonverbal because body language also sends messages to the receiver. One of the
most important terms in this chapter is communication competence. Communication competence
is the knowledge of effectiveness and appropriateness. Effectiveness is the extent to which one
will achieve their goals in interaction. Appropriateness is fulfilling social expectations in certain
situations. In order to be a successful communicator it is important to have exposure to these
terms.
Communication consists of nine different communication contexts: cognitive, individual
and social, interpersonal, intercultural, persuasive, group, organizational, mediated, and mass
communication. All these contexts have theories that they go along with. There are three types of
theory: commonsense theory, working theory, and scholarly theory. Commonsense theory is
created based on individuals’ experiences. Commonsense theories are useful because they are
based on decisions people have made and things that they have grown up believing because of
their family and friends. Commonsense theories make me think of when me and my friends give
each other advice. Working theory is are based on generalizations that are made based on the
best way to do a particular job. When I think of working theory, I think of my in-class projects
and presentation when I look to the professor for guidance. Lastly scholarly theory are theories
that have undergone systematic research. Systematic theory makes me think of statements that go
along with actual communication theories. An example of this is “the media do not tell us what
to think but what to think about” this is the agenda-setting theory.
With theory comes evaluation because one needs to determine the usefulness behind the
theory. There are five areas of evaluation: accuracy, practicality, succinctness, consistency, and
acuity. Accuracy is when one summarizes if the systematic research supports the explanations
that go along with the theory. Practicality is determining how the theory addresses the real-world
communication. Succinctness is referring to how concise the theory is and if it has been
formulated with the least number of steps possible. Consistency is referring to whether the theory
is the same each time. Lastly acuity is determining to what extent does the theory clarify a
complex problem.
This chapter of the book was almost like my college career as a communication major
coming to an end. This chapter went back to the basics of communication and theory and
contexts. These theories can be applied to everyday life and can make everyone a more effective
communicator.