Thinking Through Communication: An Introduction to the Study of Human Communication

by Sarah Trenholm

Overview

Praised for its “teachability,” Thinking Through Communication provides an excellent, balanced introduction to basic theories and principles of communication, making sense of a complex field through a variety of approaches.

In an organized and coherent manner, Thinking Through Communication covers a full range of topics—from the history of communication study to the methods used by current communication scholars to understand human interaction. The book explores face-to-face communication in a variety of traditional contexts: interpersonal, group, organizational, public, intercultural, computer-mediated communication and the mass media. This edition also offers new insights public speaking and listening.

Written in a clear, lively style, Trenholm's overall approach—including her use of examples and interesting illustrations—helps develop a better understanding of communication as a field of study and an appreciation for ways in which communication impacts our daily lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780205530472
Publisher:	Pearson
Publication date:	04/23/2007
Series:	MyCommunicationKit Series
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.78(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

Sarah Trenholm is Emerita Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Ithaca College, New York, USA.

Table of Contents

Each chapter concludes with “Summary.”

I. INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION.

1. The Communication Tradition.
In the Time of Aristotle: A Brief History of Communication Study.
Communication Today: Contemporary Departments of Rhetoric and Communication Theory.

2. Definitions, Models, and Perspectives.
Defining Communication.
How Models Help Us Understand Communication.
It All Depends on Your Point of View: Three Perspectives.
What to Look for When You Look at Communication.

II. LISTENING AND LANGUAGE.

3. Decoding Messages: Perception, Information Processing, and Listening.
What Is Perception?
Information Processing: Communicating for Clarity.
Listening: How Receivers Can Improve Decoding.

4. Encoding Messages: Spoken Language.
What Is Language?
The Subsystems of Language.
Pragmatic Styles and Structures.
Language and Social Identity.
Language Choices and Pragmatic Effects.

5. Encoding Messages: Nonverbal Communication.
What Is Nonverbal Communication?
The Nonverbal Codes.
Increasing Nonverbal Skills.

6. Interpersonal Communication.
What Is Interpersonal Communication?
Managing Interpersonal Communication.
Relational Development: Stages in Intimate Dyads.
Increasing Relational Skills.
Becoming a More Responsible Communicator.

7. Group Communication.
What Is a Group?
Managing Group Communication.
Group Development: Phases inProblem-Solving Groups.
Strengthening Group Discussion Skills.
Becoming a More Responsible Communicator.

8. Organizational Communication.
What is an Organization?
Managing Organizational Communication.
Developing Organizational Culture.
Increasing Organizational Skills.
Becoming a More Responsible Communicator.

9. Public Communication.
What Is Public Communication?
Audience Adaptation and Source Credibility.
Constructing Valid Arguments.
Preparing and Presenting the Public Speech.
Increasing Public Speaking Skills.

10. Communication and the Mass Media.
What Is Mass Communication?
How Audiences and Media Messages Interact.
Media Formats and Logics.
Emerging Communication Technologies.
Becoming a More Responsible Communicator: Ethics and Mass Media.

11. Intercultural Communication.
What Is Culture?
Barriers to Intercultural Communication.
Adapting to New Cultures.
Becoming a More Open Communicator.

Appendix: Methods of Discovery.
How Is Communication Research Done?
Four Popular Research Methods.
Learning More about Communication.

Author Index.

Subject Index.

Editorial Reviews

The 1995 edition has been updated with a new chapter on electronic communication technologies; added materials on natural language types, leadership and group problem-solving effectiveness, and women in the media; and more cross-cultural examples. Trenholm (Ithaca College) asks students "to rediscover communication" through her coverage of its parameters: the study of rhetoric since Aristotle; multiple definitions; decoding and encoding messages; interpersonal, group, public, mass media, and intercultural forms; and popular research methods with examples. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

"Trenholm’s Thinking Through Communication: An Introduction to the Study of Human Communication introduces students to communication and its role in society."—Tom Warren, Oklahoma State University

From the Publisher