A First Look at Communication Theory » (7th Edition)

Em Griffin is Professor of Communication at Wheaton College in Illinois, where he has taught for the past twenty-six years and has been chosen Teacher of the Year. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication from Northwestern University. His research interest centers on the development of close friendships.

Professor Griffin is the author of three applied communication books: The Mind Changers analyzes practical techniques of persuasion; Getting Together offers research-based suggestions for effective group leadership; and Making Friends describes the way that quality interpersonal communication can build close relationships. He also speaks and leads workshops on these topics in the United States, Singapore, and the Philippines. Professor Griffin’s wife, Jean, is an artist. They have two

adult children, Jim and Sharon.

The most widely-used textbook for the communication theory course, A First Look at Communication Theory analyzes the major communication theories at a level that is appropriate for both lower- and upper-level courses. The 32 theories represented in the text reflect a mix of foundational and recent scholarship and strike a balance of scientific and interpretive approaches.

Division One: Overview

1. Launching Your Study of Communication Theory

2. Talk About Theory

3. Weighing the Words

4. Mapping the Territory (Seven Traditions in the Field of Communication Theory)

Division Two: Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal Messages

5. Symbolic Interactionism of George Herbert Mead

6. Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) of W. Barnett Pearce & Vernon Cronen

7. Expectancy Violations Theory of Judee Burgoon

8. Constructivism of Jesse Delia

Relationship Development

9. Social Penetration Theory of Irwin Altman & Dalmas Taylor

10. Uncertainty Reduction Theory of Charles Berger

11. Social Information Processing Theory of Joseph Walther

Relationship Maintenance

12. Relational Dialectics of Leslie Baxter & Barbara Montgomery

13. The Interactional View of Paul Watzlawick

Influence

14. Social Judgment Theory of Muzafer Sherif

15. Elaboration Likelihood Model Richard Petty & John Cacioppo

16. Cognitive Dissonance Theory of Leon Festinger
Division Three: Group and Public Communication

Group Decision Making

17. Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making of Randy Hirokawa & Dennis Gouran

18. Adaptive Structuration Theory of Marshall Scott Poole

Organizational Communication

19. Cultural Approach to Organizations of Clifford Geertz & Michael Pacanowsky

20. Critical Theory of Communication Approach to Organizations of Stan Deetz

Public Rhetoric

21. The Rhetoric of Aristotle

22. Dramatism of Kenneth Burke

23. Narrative Paradigm of Walter Fisher

Ethical Reflections

Division Four: Mass Communication

Media and Culture

24. Media Ecology of Marshall McLuhan

25. Semiotics of Roland Barthes

26. Cultural Studies of Stuart Hall

Media Effects

27. Cultivation Theory of George Gerbner

28. Agenda-Setting Theory of Maxwell McCombs & Donald Shaw

29. Spiral of Silence of Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann

Division Five: Cultural Context

Intercultural Communication

30. Communication Accommodation Theory of Howard Giles

31. Face-Negotiation Theory of Stella Ting-Toomey

32. Speech Codes Theory of Gerry Philipsen

Gender and Communication

33. Genderlect Styles of Deborah Tannen

34. Standpoint Theory of Sandra Harding & Julia Wood

35. Muted Group Theory of Cheris Kramarae

Division Six: Integration

Communication Theory

36. Common Threads in Communication Theories

Appendix A. Abstracts of Theories
Appendix B. Feature Films that Illustrate Communication Theory
Appendix C. National Communication Association Credo for Ethical Communication
Endnotes
Credits and Acknowledgements
Index