Introduction to Human Communication: Perception, Meaning, and Identity

by Susan R. Beauchamp, Stanley J. Baran

Overview

Now published by Sage

Introduction to Human Communication, Third Edition, offers a comprehensive and balanced survey of the discipline. Susan R. Beauchamp and Stanley J. Baran show students how central successful communication is to gaining effective control over perception, meaning making, and identity. After walking students through the basics of communication theory and research, they provide tools to help students become more competent, confident, employable, and ethical communicators. A diverse array of real-world examples and practical pedagogical tools help students apply what they′ve learned to a wide variety of communication contexts, including mass and digital communication, media literacy, health communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, and intercultural communication.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781071922583
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	09/25/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	464
File size:	27 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Susan R. Beauchamp spent 20 years in television and radio before beginning her  teaching career. She worked in  numerous markets including Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York as a producer, writer, reporter, and anchor.  Susan focused her graduate studies in the field of media literacy and through service-learning courses has created media education curricula for K-12 schools. As a lecturer in the Communication Department at Bryant University, she developed the department’s media literacy curriculum and  has been an active member of the National Association of Media Literacy Education. Susan also instructs on media and culture  topics for external programs such as OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at the University of Rhode Island and has taught at a number of colleges. She writes a monthly newsletter, Baby Boomerang, for the online platform Substack. Susan has  received a number of awards, including Bryant’s Excellence in Teaching Award.  

Stanley J. Baran, Professor Emeritus in the Communication Department at Bryant University, earned his PhD in communication research at the University of Massachusetts after taking his MA in journalism at Pennsylvania State University. He has  taught at Cleveland State University; the University of Texas at Austin, where he won the AMOCO Teaching Excellence Award as the best instructor on that 40,000-student campus;  and at San Jose State University, where he was named President’s Scholar as the university’s outstanding researcher. As a Fulbright  Scholar he taught at the  Institut fur  Journalismus und Kommunication at the Hochschule fur Musik und Theater in Hannover, Germany. Dr. Baran has published ten books and scores of scholarly articles and has sat on the editorial boards of  six scholarly  journals. His work has been translated into half a dozen languages.  

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Communication Process: Perception, Meaning, and Identity
The Process of Creating Meaning
Culture, Perception, and Schemas
Signs and Symbols
Communication, Perception, Identity . . . and Power
Chapter 2: Communication Research and Inquiry
Theory and Scientific Inquiry
Three Philosophical Questions That Shape Scientific Inquiry
Traditions of Communication Inquiry
Tools of Observation: Research Methods
Chapter 3: Verbal Communication
The Structure of Language
Language and Thought
The Functions of Language
Language and Meaning Making
Language and Protecting Self-Identity
Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication
What Is Nonverbal Communication?
Theory of Nonverbal Coding Systems
Types of Nonverbal Coding Systems
Nonverbal Coding Errors and Identity
Chapter 5: Listening
What Is Listening?
Misconceptions About Listening
Barriers to Effective Listening
Becoming an Effective Listener
Chapter 6: Relational and Conflict Communication
Interpersonal Communication and Relationship Management
Relational Communication Theories
Interpersonal Communication and Conflict
Chapter 7: Communicating in Small Groups
Small Groups: Types, Dynamics, and Structure
Group Development, Cohesion, and Breakdown
Leadership and Power
Chapter 8: Organizational Communication
Types and Movement of Organizational Messages
Communicating Well in a Bureaucratic System
Organizational Climate and Culture
Chapter 9: Intercultural Communication
What Is Intercultural Communication?
How Cultural Values Shape Communication
The “Naturalness” of Prejudice and Its Antidote
Chapter 10: Mass Communication
What Is Mass Communication?
Culture, Communication, and Mass Media
Characteristics of Media Consumers and Media Industries
Theories of Mass Communication
Chapter 11: Media Literacy
What Is Media Literacy?
Media Literacy Questions
What Does It Mean to Be Media Literate?
Media Literacy Scholarship
Media Literacy and Meaning Making
Chapter 12: Social Media and Personal Communication Technologies
The Double Edge of Changing Communication Technologies
The Dark Side of Social Media and Personal Communication Technologies
How Computer-Mediated Communication Affects Identity
Face-to-Face or Online: The Internet and Interpersonal Communication
Social Media, Loneliness, and Personal Well-Being
Chapter 13: Persuasion and Social Influence
What Is Persuasion?
Values, Attitudes, Beliefs, Behaviors, and Dissonance Theory
What Factors Influence Persuasion?
The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion
Processes of Attitude Change
Chapter 14: Health Communication
Communication and a Long and Healthy Life
Health Communication in Provider–Client Settings
Health Communication Contexts
Health Communication and the Internet
Chapter 15: Public Speaking: An Overview
The Importance of Public Speaking
Types of Speeches
A Crash Course in Public Speaking
Identifying the Steps of Speech Preparation
Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety

Editorial Reviews

"Introduction to Human Communication precisely lays out an introductory survey of the critical topics needed to gain an understanding of communication studies. Unlike other texts, it begins with a strong discussion of communication inquiry and effectively incorporates ethical and socially responsible communication concepts and examples throughout."—Sheena M. Carey, Marquette University

T"his text takes an overall constitutive approach to communication and includes lessons on ethics and responsibility in every chapter."—Kathleen C. Haspel, Fairleigh Dickinson University

"Introduction to Human Communication offers comprehensive coverage of the field of communication that informs students without overwhelming them. Compelling features include effective use of photos and graphics; an inclusive and conversational tone; ethical, personal responsibility, and workplace scenarios that offer interesting details on specific topics; and a review of the learning objectives at the end of each chapter."—Tami Tomasello, Dalton State College

From the Publisher