Communication Studies

Key Concepts

Communication Studies examine the way human beings communicate with one another and how that communication reflects meaning. Thus, there are a number of key concepts which relate to the process of communication itself and how those concepts reflect a larger cultural structure or phenomenon. First, symbols are those elements which we use to describe particular objects and/or phenomenon. Meaning is the associated definition of the symbols we work with in our communicative strategies.

Intrapersonal communication refers to the thinking processes and internal communication that occurs within an individual. This is the opposite of interpersonal communication, which is the communication which takes place between individuals. Interpersonal communication can be both formal and informal, taking place within a wide variety of contexts (Fiske, 2012). Group communication is that which is being spread within particular members of a group. This type of communication reinforces cultural norms and differentiates members of the group from other groups. This is often associated with mass communication and the media. The media and the role it plays within larger communications is another major concept that is found within communication studies. It is responsible for most of the mass communication which takes place within any given culture or society (Fiske, 2012). There is also nonverbal communications, which reflect the types of messages that are often sent and received outside of language itself.

Current Theories

Again, the theories involved in this genre are often broken up into cluster groups. Mass Media communication theories often aim to explore the impact of mass media on the individual's perception of life and individual phenomenon. Essentially, the main theory here has elements of conflict theory, which assumes that the media is used as a tool by the elite to strengthen their dominant position. Thus, the media has a certain bias, reflecting the opinions of the elite. Interpersonal communication is another cluster of theories. It includes attribution theory which...

Communication of particular events and experiences can help influence the way we attribute particular inferences that impact our overall behavior. Another major theory in this group is that of social identity theory, where it is assumed that each individual actually has a number of "selves" which "correspond to widening circles of group membership" (University of Twente, 2012). The way each group communicates reflects how the different selves within a particular individual behaves and interacts both with members of the same group and those outside of the group. Organizational communication is another major theory cluster which focuses on how organizations communicate, both internally and outside of the organization. One of the major theories within this grouping is known as Groupthink. This is the idea that many individuals may sacrifice some of their own individual beliefs or thoughts in order to fit in with a larger group that has a cohesive consciousness. Within organizations this can help increase loyalty, but can also lead to a lack of individual innovation that provides creative substance for the company. Women Studies in Communication (WSC) is a final theory which aims to explore communications conducted about women from the male perspective, along with communications among women themselves. The goal here is to understand how communication can serve as a method for analyzing the larger male dominance in society and how communication strengthens gender roles.