Introduction to Human Communication: Perception, Meaning, and Identity

by Susan R. Beauchamp, Stanley J. Baran

Overview

Introduction to Human Communication shows how central effective communication is to shared meaning making, identity construction and maintenance, and responsible interaction with the world. In an inviting and engaging style, Beauchamp and Baran provide the most current and complete survey of the discipline. They cover the basics of communication theory and research with vivid examples while providing practical tools to help students become more thoughtful, confident, and ethical communicators. This text demonstrates the relevance of communication to our everyday lives and invites students to apply what they learn in a broad variety of contexts—including mass communication, organizational communication, health communication, social media, and media literacy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190918767
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/02/2019
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Susan R. Beauchamp is Lecturer in the Department of Communication at Bryant University.

Stanley J. Baran is Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication at Bryant University.

Table of Contents

Preface

PART 1. FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNICATION

CHAPTER 1. The Communication Process: Perception, Meaning, and Identity
The Process of Creating Meaning
—The Evolution of Communication Models
—Transmissional, Constitutive, and Ritual Views of Communication
The Power of Culture
Communication and Perception
Signs and Symbols
—Symbolic Interaction and the Looking Glass
—Frame Analysis
What Does Communication Give You the Power to Do?
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: Communicating Well to Land the Job
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: Am I a Good Communicator?

CHAPTER 2. Communication Research and Inquiry
Theory and Scientific Inquiry
—Defining Theory
—Scientific Inquiry
Three Philosophical Questions that Shape Scientific Inquiry
Traditions of Communication Inquiry
—Postpositivist Theory and Research
—Interpretive Theory and Research
—Critical Theory and Research
Tools of Observation: Research Methods
—Experiments
—Surveys
—Textual Analysis
—Mixing Methods and Traditions
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: The Benefits of Critical Thinking
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: Am I a Critical Thinker?
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Solving Not-So-Well-Posed Problems SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Communication Inquiry Needs to Be Bigger!
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: Where Do You Draw the Line?

CHAPTER 3. Verbal Communication
The Structure of Language
Language and Thought
—Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis
—Metaphor
—The Ladder of Abstraction
The Functions of Language
Language and Meaning Making
—Situational, Social, and Cultural Meaning
—Syntactic Ambiguity
—Euphemisms
Language and Protecting Self-Identity: Politeness Theory
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: War! What Is It Good For?
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: Speaking Well to Do Well
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: Lying
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: Am I Good at Making Small Talk?
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Speaking Inclusively

CHAPTER 4. Nonverbal Communication
What Is Nonverbal Communication?
—Similarities to Verbal Communication
—Differences from Verbal Communication
Theory of Nonverbal Coding Systems
Types of Nonverbal Coding Systems
—Proxemics
—Haptics
—Chronemics
—Kinesics
—Vocalics
—Oculesics
—Facial Expressions
—Physical Appearance
—Artifacts
—Environmental Factors
—Silence
The Role of Nonverbal Communication in Creating Meaning and Identity
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: How Nonverbally Immediate Am I?
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Touching in the Workplace
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: On-the-Job Nonverbal Communication
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: Freedom of Expression versus Professional Appearance
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Making Meaning of a Common Artifact: The Case of the Hoodie

CHAPTER 5. Listening
What is Listening?
Misconceptions about Listening
The Components of Effective Listening
Barriers to Effective Listening
—Physical Noise
—Psychological Noise
—Physiological Noise
—Semantic Noise
—External Distractions
—Counterproductive Listening Styles
Types of Listening
Becoming an Effective Listener
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: The 80/20 Rule
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: Am I a Good Listener?
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Being an Active Listener
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: The Ethics of Listening
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: When Companies Listen to Social Media Users


PART 2. COMMUNICATION CONTEXTS

CHAPTER 6. Relational and Conflict Communication
The Value of Relationships
The Role of Interpersonal Communication
Developing and Maintaining Relationships
—Uncertainty Reduction Theory
—Social Penetration Theory
—Social Exchange Theory
—Investment Model of Commitment
—Relational Dialectics Theory
Interpersonal Communication and Conflict
—Types of Conflict
—Stages of Interpersonal Conflict
—Conflict Management Styles
Resolving Conflict
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: Mastering the Soft Skills
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: It Takes Two to Tango, but Someone Has to Lead SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: She was Asking for It; and Besides, She's Lying: How We Talk about Sexual Harassment
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: What is My Conflict Management Style?
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: Sugar-Coated Hostility

CHAPTER 7. Communicating in Small Groups
Types of Groups
Dynamics of Group Structure
—Informal and Formal Communication in Groups
—Structuration Theory
—The Five Stages of Group Development
—Group Cohesion and Breakdown
—Systems Theory
Leadership and Power
—Styles of Leadership
—Forms of Power
Improving Your Group Communication Skills
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Forming a Group
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: You Owe It to Yourself
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: Our Responsibility to the Group
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: What Kind of Group Member Am I?
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: 12 Cs for Successful Teamwork

CHAPTER 8. Organizational Communication
Defining Organizational Communication
Types and Movement of Organizational Messages
—Upward Messages
—Downward Messages
—Horizontal Messages
The Organization as a System
Positive and Negative Organizational Communication Traits
Organizational Climate and Culture
—Strong Organizational Cultures
—Benefitting from Diversity in Organizational Culture
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: Could You Blow the Whistle?
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Status Update: I've Just Been Fired COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: Managing On-the-Job Conflict
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: What's My Colleague Grade?
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Doing Well by Doing Good

CHAPTER 9. Intercultural Communication
What Is Intercultural Communication?
Obstacles to Intercultural Communication
The "Naturalness" of Prejudice: Two Theories of Culture and Identity
—Social Identity Theory
—Identity Negotiation Theory
Accelerators of Intercultural Communication
How Cultural Values Shape Communication
—Attitudes toward Diversity and the Problem with Tolerance
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Stereotyping versus Generalizing
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: How Apprehensive am I about Intercultural Communication?
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: The Intersection of Your Many Identities
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: What Would You Say?
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: Improving On-the-Job Intercultural Communication

CHAPTER 10. Mass Communication
What Is Mass Communication?
—Why Study Mass Communication?
—Interpersonal Communication versus Mass Communication
Culture, Communication, and Mass Media
Characteristics of Media Consumers
Characteristics of Media Industries
Theories of Mass Communication
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: How Often Do I Engage with the Mass Media?
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: The Third-Person Effect
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: The Role of the Photojournalist
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: Finding a Career in the Media
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION:One Big Global Community

CHAPTER 11. Media Literacy
What Is Media Literacy?
—Media Literacy Scholarship
—Some Core Concepts of Media Literacy
Media Literacy Questions
What Does It Mean to Be Media Literate?
—Characteristics of Media-Literate People
—The Skill of Being Media Literate
Media Literacy and Meaning Making
—Media Literacy and Identity
—Media Literacy and Democracy
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: Careers in Media Literacy
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: Advertising to Children
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Being a Proactive Media Consumer—
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: Am I Media Literate?
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Countering the Kinderculture

CHAPTER 12. Social Media and Communication Technologies
The Promise and Peril of New Communication Technologies
A Connected World
The Dark Side of New Communication Technologies
—Addiction
—Depression
—Distraction and Academic Performance
How Computer-Mediated Communication Affects Identity and Relationships
—Social Network Sites and Identity Construction and Maintenance
—The Internet and Interpersonal Communication
—Social Isolation
—Shy and Popular Users
—Facebook Envy and Our Sense of Well-Being
—Self-Disclosure and Relational Development
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Social Media, Social Connection, and Social Power: #NeverAgain
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: Who Owns the Social Networking You?
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: E-mail versus Social Networking Sites
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: Do I Suffer from Nomophobia?
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Dealing with Fake News on SNS

CHAPTER 13. Persuasion and Social Influence
What Is Persuasion?
Values, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors
—Balance Theory
—Dissonance Theory
The Selective Processes
What Factors Influence Persuasion?
—Source Characteristics
—Message Characteristics
—Receiver Characteristics
The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion
Processes of Attitude Change
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: Four Dos and Four Don'ts of Workplace Persuasion
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Would the Razor Switch Hands Today?
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: How Good a Persuader Am I?
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: The Federal Trade Commission and Advertiser Credibility
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: The TARES Test

CHAPTER 14. Health Communication
Communication and a Long and Healthy Life
Health Communication in Provider-Client Settings
Health Communication Contexts
—Friends and Family
—Support Groups
—Hospital Culture
—Entertainment Mass Media
Health Communication and the Internet
Health Communication Campaigns
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: Am I Health Literate?
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Speak Up
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: Do I Tell My Family I Have Cancer?
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: The Health Belief Model
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: Getting Health Messages to Employees

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
Review of Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Questions for Discussion
COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE: On-the-Job Public Speaking
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Political Satire in Contemporary Culture
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION: Public Speaking Self-Assessment
ETHICAL COMMUNICATION: Plagiarism and Public Speaking
CHALLENGE YOURSELF: The Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety

Glossary
References
Credits
Index

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