Metatheory: Interpretive vs. Objective

 Theory About Theory!!!!!

Communication is the underlying engine behind societies ability to build and rebuild. Communication is the ability to create or destroy  relationships. Communication is a crux to understanding virtually anything as long as we are able to work together. However, communication is viewed as an ambiguous part of life. People are unable to pinpoint an exact definition of communication and the impact it has on society and people as a whole. As seen with these diverse quotes communication is talked about with different connotations and context.            
                                                     ( take a look at these quotes) 

"The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said"-Peter Drunker

 Thus, communication needs to be studied with this ambiguity in mind. As in  do we study communication with an  interpretative or objective approach? Interpretative scholars  keep in mind that every individual is different and interprets things with a degree of differentiating opinions. Due to different experiences in life no two people are exactly the same. Thus "Interpretive scholars look at the linguistic work of assigning meaning or value to communicative testes; assumes that multiple meanings or truths are possible" (According to Griffin (2012)).  Whereas Objective scholars "assume  truth is singular and is accessible through unbiased sensory observation, committed to uncovering cause and effect relationships (According to Griffin (2012).

Through an example I will explain the different approaches and explain what they have in common

1st: Lets take a look at this clip! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofICNgc8lqU


 Interpretative:
From an interpretive approach scholars would be analyising how the commercial makes us feel and how the commercial plays on our values in order to produce an emotional connection in which persons could possibly build a relationship with the product being sold. The commercial did an excellent job on creating a scene of women empowerment and rebellion. Three very influential women in the prime of their careers PINK, Beyonce, and Britney Spears stood strong and defiant against the one man expecting them to fight to their deaths. Thus the music, outfits, and location of the product in correlation to the scenes reinforced the overeaching theme of woman empowerment and rebellion fueled through the consumption of Pepsi. Interpretative scholars notice these themes, and examine how the commercial played on our emotions and moral intergrity.

Objective:
Objective scholars are not looking at how the design of the commercial impacted us emotionally. Objective scholars are focused on numerical data that proves the commercials was valuable to the popularity of the audience. As in has Pepsi stock escalated? Have sales gone up? Objective scholars try to measure data with numerical measurements. Objectively, did this commercial sell any products.

Interpretative and Objective Scholars:

As discussed communication can be seen as an engine that has the ability to create understanding and bring people together in order to complete a task. However communication is ambiguous. Thus Interpretative and Objective Scholars are important as they measure communication in different ways and try to close the gap that is formed from differentiating viewpoints surrounding the definition of communication. Both scholars are looking to create the greatest understanding. The difference is the focus of measuring theses changes. Interpretative  Scholars are more focused on qualitative measurements and reforming society while inspiring aesthetic approaches and interpreting values (According to Griffin (2012)). Whereas objective scholars are focused on quantitative measurements  that can explain the past and present, as well as predict the future(According to Griffin (2012)). In conclusion Interpretative and Objective scholars are both working to create the greatest understanding. As well as study the affects a communicative event has on our lives. Both are important because communication is ambiguous. 

Thanks!!!

reference: book

A First Look At Communication Theory

by, Em Griffin

Symbolic Convergence Theory

           

Is Zac Efron Hot or Not?

This is a question that was asked between my friends and I as we were planning our day. My friend volunteered to drive me to the grocery store because I was excited to try a new curry receipt. As the three of us were driving to the store one of my friends asked us “is Zac Efron hot or not.” We were not talking about anything related to Hollywood or even Zac Efron. I was actually talking to the driver about good crockpot dishes.  Thus, this random question is an example of a Dramatizing message. A Dramatizing message is considered to be imaginative language that talks about events not in the present moment. As in, “occurring elsewhere and/ or at some time other than the here and now"(According to Griffin (2012). The message also needs to be “creative and paint a picture or call to mind an image” (According to Griffin (2012). I can attest that after her question was asked  Zac Efron’s face appeared in my head. We all started to talk about his physical characteristics. Does he have a nice nose? Do his eyes look too far apart? Wasn’t he attractive in that one movie? These questions created a conversation in which we all attributed to.  Because everyone was involved in the conversation and showing interest about the topic it quickly became a fantasy chain. We were all laughing and enjoying the conversation even though it was not an intelligent conversation and was probably killing more brain cells than our initial conversation about curry.  Dramatizing messages can create a fantasy chain in which symbolic convergence occurs and possible symbolic cues ignite a conversation (According to Griffin (2012)). The conversation I had with my friends was fun and we sometimes talk about him from time to time if a symbolic cue ignites the conversation.  Symbolic convergence is when members of a group lose some of their individuality on a subject and embrace the knowledge that others have the same opinions or likeness of the shared subject and a  cohesive mentality between the individuals occur(According to Griffin (2012)). In this situation the dramatizing message brought us closer. I had not seen my friends for over 6 months due to my travels and I was a little apprehensive to jump back into everything. The Dramatizing message definitely fueled a fantasy chain that allowed for all of us to feel comfortable with one another allowing for symbolic convergence to unite us. 

Belieber is a promise Being a belieber is literally the best decision i have ever made ‪#HappyBirthdayBeliebers   -Beliber, taken from Justin Bieber's twitter

Fantasy chains can ignite from dramatizing message and fuel symbolic convergence within the public. For example, Justin Bieber became the topic of occurring dramatizing messages. His fame and charm was the topic of people's conversations as well as his bizarre behavior and entitled personality. Justin Beiber began to be the topic of discussion for every media outlet. One could be watching the news and Justin Bieber's face would flash on the screen. Justin Bieber became a Dramatizing message that occurred because of his presence in everyone's lives due to the amount of times he was talked about and the mannerisms in which his stories were presented. More importantly people felt a connection to him and understood that others shared the same beliefs toward his fame. Thus, Beliber's fans started emerging and became Belibers. Group cohesion occurred because individuals understood that others shared the same likeness of Justin Bieber. Now a days Justin Bieber is a huge phenomena in which millions are praising his every move. 

 Hope you understand that fantasy chains can occur after a dramatizing message is shared and everyone interacts in the conversation. Also, fantasy chains can escalate into symbolic convergence in which people start to identity as a group rather than keep their individual identity. This can all occur in different degrees!

reference: book

A First Look At Communication Theory

by, Em Griffin

Are You Cognitively Complex?

Imagine an attractive person comes up to you and asks you how your day is going

Did he ask me because he finds me attractive?

Why did he ask me, does he feel lonely in life?

His body language is angled toward me.

Wow, he seems really enthusiastic.

Hmm, he isn’t talking much about himself.

He mentions his family a lot when he does talk.

He seems sincere when he talks about his grandmother.

He listens when I talk (I like that!!).

Cognitive complexity is a more sophisticated thought process in everyday interaction and conversations. For example, in this simple interaction a person with higher cognitive complexity is able to “distinguish subtle personality and behavior differences among people (According to Griffin (2012).” In this example they have higher cognitive complexity because they are able to notice differences in body language notice the topics talked about and notice the tone of voice. As well as, taking into consideration the environment of the conversation and the circumstance it is occurring under. Now these are just examples, and trust me, this example could bring up so many thoughts in one’s head. In contrast a person with little cognitive complexity will most likely take this conversation for face value. As in answer the question without noticing the person’s body language or behavior. Thus, they may end the conversation early or not fully engage in the conversation with as much insights or detail as the person  may have hoped and shown through his behaviors.

 Do not fear cognitively complexity can be learned. Cognitive complexity is created through constructs (According to Griffin (2012)” Constructs are in essence trial and error with life and everyday circumstances. Growing up one leans how to react or not react in certain situations. As well as communicate in conversations. Furthermore, one creates a reality due to experiences in different interactions. For example, if a person surrounds themselves with  people of lower cognitive complexity,  people who struggle with human interaction, or they never been challenged in interactive situations they may construct a reality of how and what conversation looks like with a black and white reality ( face value).However  a person that grew up talking to people who initiate conversation, do not shy away from conversation and enjoy communication, will most likely construct a reality in which communication is a process that has a gray area in-between the black and while. As in they are able to read the nonverbal cues in-between the sharing of conversation. Furthermore, constructs have to do with more than just environment. However, I believe environment is a clear cut example. Maturity also plays a large role.

Synopsis : People with higher  cognitive complexity are able to read nonverbal cues in a conversation. As well as understand subtle cues within the context being shared. Cognitive complexity is created through constructs. 

people with higher cognitive complexity are also able to develop person-centered messages. A person-centered message is an instance when one is able to anticipate a reaction, tailor a conversation, and adjust delivery to the audience (According to Griffin (2012)."

                                                         Dexter, poor Dexter!
 he tries so hard but he has very little cognitive complexity. Take a look at how Dexter tries to have a person-centered message with his step-kids and his in-laws.

        (Warning: this is season 5)

WOW! this scene was so hard to watch! Dexter, actually made me angry. Of course, most people aren't serial killers. However, that is not an excuse to make an already tough conversation into a nightmare  that will certaintly scar the ears that have to endure this atrocity.

                                           reasons why this not a person-centered message!!                             

1) Dexter creates more anxiety in the room by his delivery....he prolongs the worry by repeating "something bad." He doesn't take into consideration that everyone in the room is anxious and nervous. and just wants the answer.

2) Did you notice he was the only one that sat down?
 Setting the environment is important in creating a person centered message. For example, a conversation of this caliber should not be had while wearing a mickey mouse hat! let alone, as those whom are expected to feel the grunt of the emotion, standing up and not in a relaxed position.

3) "Someone came in the night and killed her". Now, this is not a appropriate delivery. This is someone's mom he is talking about. You can not always be so blunt in a conversation, especially when talking to kids about a serious conversation.

4) "Sorry for your loss"  Wait what? why is he telling his step kids and in laws he is sorry for their loss?  he was married to the woman!

Thank you for reading. I hope you learned about cognitive complexity and person -centered messages. 




reference: book
A First Look At Communication Theory
by, Em Griffin

Expectancy Violation Theory!

Expectancy Violation Theory?!?! Trust me, it sounds a lot scarier than it really is!

 Expectancy Violation Theory is a very intriguing theory about human interaction. In short, the theory declares that when people act different than our preconceived ideas, of how one should act in a certain situation, then they are violating our expectations.

                                 

                                      And it is a lot more common than you think.....

     

People create these preconceived notions by enculturation and seeing repetition of actions repeated in their relationships and everyday activities. For example, everyday life helps us create these norms. As in, these norms are established because of observations made in everyday life. Like, watching how someone eats a turkey sandwich, or having interaction with strangers. These observations become  preconvied notions and an example of our reality. We have developed norms through observation in everyday and from our own experiences in conversation.

                                      Now do you see why it is so common?

Thus, Expectancy Violation Theory is simply the incident in which one acts, differently than is normal in that certain situation. This could occur in simple interactions. For example, in this video two guys are going around giving compliments, however, the compliments are unexpected and strange. thus, the people receiving the compliments are taken aback and have to adjust their reactions. This video, is  funny and is a great example of Expectancy Violation Theory because two guys are doing a "normal" action, of complimenting a person. Furthermore, their comparisons and the things they are complementing the random citizen on are odd. Thus, those receiving the interesting compliments adjust their reactions as they have to find a simple, polite gesture for "overcoming the unexpected!" Thus, the two guys are going against preconceived norms, and altering a reality that was created through simple observations. Furthermore, the men and woman receiving the compliments were not accustomed to this kind of interaction and had to take a minute to adjust to the violation of their norm.

\http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZJ3adSiJpQ\

Expectancy Violation Theory is more than funny compliments and adjustment of communication style. Expectancy Violation Theory could also have a hugely positive affect on someone. Sometimes when one does things, unexpected, a chain reaction could occur (or just a change in mood). For example, if a cashier is usually mean, and one day is super  nice, their actions is an example of Expectancy Violation Theory. ( one that is greatly appreciated )

              Cool! Expectancy Violation Theory doesn't always have to be awkward!!

In the movie "Pay it Forward", a young boy continues to go against the norm. For example, he invites homeless men into his home. Then those men return the favor to three unexpected people. These  gestures occur in situations in which a likely outcome would not be as generous. However, this is a great movie that exemplifies Expectancy Violation Theory in a positive light. The movie proves that when one is able to step out of the box, and simply act with kindness in an otherwise normally bleak situation, then a positive affect could be had. Sometimes acting differently that our created "reality" could be positive!

                                                                

                                                                         Enjoy!

What Communication Means To Me!

                                                                 Hey everyone!

I am majoring in communication because I believe that human interaction represents a person’s character in his or her entirety. For example, the way in which one interacts is a representation of their personality. I would conclude that a person who keeps eye contact, uses gestures, and smiles is confident in his or her environment or with the subject matter they are talking about. Thus, the body language and symbols used in the communication process are interesting to me. Communication relates to so many factors in life! I am also very interested in understanding rhetoric and studying the persuasiveness it entails. In general, I enjoy communication and am more focused on the research side of it.

I also plan to minor in Sociology because I am very interested on the affects communication styles have on their subjects. For example, I hope to compare a child who grew up with a lot of physical affection to a child that grew up without as much physical contact (hugs, kisses, pats on the back etc). I am super interested in this approach because while I was in Chile I noticed the families were all very close and shared a lot of physical interactions. I then learned their crime rate is not as high as it is the United States. I believe that the crime rate is lower because of the communication style they share with one another. Everyone feels welcomed and apart of something. I understand this is vague but one day I hope to have an analysis that proves my Hypothesis and states a clear conclusion.Communication is responsible for more than relaying a message to a listening ear or selling a product. Communication could be a median for creating a happier world through more positive contact.

Getting to know your author in 30 seconds!

I am working to earn a BA in Speech Communication and a minor in Sociology. At 20 years old, I have an interesting outlook on life after partaking in life changing endeavors. This summer I worked as a camp counselor on an Air Force Base.Two days after my internship ended, I was on a plane to South America. I am now a sophisticated young adult with a new view on the ordinary. 


                                                    Here is a picture of my best friend! :)