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The Idea of Theory

The Idea of Theory . Chapter Two . Communication Theory. Theory defined Variations of theory How they are generated Type of research used How they are presented What communication they address Function of theories Explain, understand, interpret, judge, and focus

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The Idea of Theory

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  1. The Idea of Theory Chapter Two

  2. Communication Theory • Theory defined • Variations of theory • How they are generated • Type of research used • How they are presented • What communication they address • Function of theories • Explain, understand, interpret, judge, and focus • Represent how individual “sees” the environment, not reality

  3. Example

  4. Dimensions of Theory • Philosophical Assumptions • Epistemology, Ontology, Axiology • Concepts • Explanations • Principles

  5. Philosophical Assumptions • Epistemology • Studies knowledge • Three primary focus of communication based questions • What extent exists • What extent is certain • Process for gaining knowledge • Rationalism • Empiricism • Constructivism • Social construction

  6. Ontology • Existence • Works hand in hand with epistemology • Focus • Nature of human social interaction • Four issues: • To what extent do humans make real choices? • Determinists & Pragmatists • Is human behavior best understood in terms of traits? • State view & Trait view • Is human behavior primarily individual or social? • To what extent is communication circumstantial?

  7. Axiology • Value • Three 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 Free • Value conscious

  8. Second Dimension of Theory: Concepts • Terms, categories, & definitions • Goal of theory • Formulate and discuss set of labeled concepts • Taxonomies • Theories that stop at conceptual level

  9. Third dimension of theory: Explanations • 3rd dimension of theory • Show relationships and provide explanations • Answer why? • Causal explanation • Practical explanation

  10. Fourth dimension of theory:Principles • Principle defined: • Guideline that enables interpretation, judgment & decision • Three parts • Situation • Value • Action

  11. Nomothetic Theory • Goal: • Seek universal laws to depict accurately how social life works • Research approach: Hypothetico– deductive or variable – analytic tradition • Four processes • Developing questions • Forming hypotheses • Testing hypotheses • Formulating theory • Falsifiable • Causality

  12. Philosophical Assumptions of Nomothetic Theory • Epistemology • Empiricist & rationalist • Ontology • Behavior determined by & responsive to biology & environment • Axiology • Value neutral

  13. Concepts of Nomothetic Theory • Operationalized • Operational definition • Relies on measurement • Validity of Measurement • Reliability • Validity • Example: • College students enrolled in HE majors will report a higher level of cyberbullying others than those in HA majors.

  14. Explanations in Nomothetic Theory • Causal • Scientific realism • Communication theorists adopting nomothetic • Commit to importance of concept • Reduce to categories • Avoid extraneous concepts • Determine causal relationships • Commit to reliablity

  15. Practical Theory • Goal: • Improve life in concrete ways • Capture the differences among situations • Provide a set of understanding to achieve goals • Robyn Penman’s Five Tenets of Practical Theory • Action is voluntary & individual • Knowledge is created • Theories are historical and change according to settings & times • Theories affect the reality they are covering • Theories are never neutral

  16. Philosophical Assumptions of Practical Theory • Epistemology • People take active role • Ontology • Individuals are goal-oriented agents • Axiology • Largely value conscious

  17. Concepts and Explanations of Practical Theory

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