Explaining communication : contemporary theories and exemplars / edited by Bryan B. Whaley, Wendy Santer.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The nature and evaluation of theory / Stephen W. Littlejohn -- Discourse and identity : language or talk? / Karen Tracy -- Nonverbal communication / Walid A. Afifi -- Impression formation / Charles Pavitt -- Communication theory and the concept of goal / Steven R. Wilson -- Constructivism : a general theory of communication skill / Brant R. Burleson -- Aggressiveness communication / Andrew Rancer and Anne Mayden Nicotera -- Plans, planning, and communication effectiveness / Charles R. Berger -- Formulating and producing verbal and nonverbal messages : an action assembly theory / John O. Greene -- Problematic integration theory / Austin S. Babrow -- A theory of communication and uncertainty management / Dale E. Brashers -- Brown and Levinson's politeness theory / Daena Goldsmith -- Accounts / Michael Cody and Debra Dunn -- Communication privacy management theory / Mary Claire Morr and Sandra Petronio -- Social dialectics : the contradictions of relating / Leslie Baxter and Dawn O. Braithwaite -- Communication accommodation theory / Howard Giles and Tania Ogay -- Relational communication : as viewed from the pragmatic perspective / John Courtright -- Conversational Interaction : understanding how family members talk through cancer / Wayne A. Beach -- Pragma-dialectical theory of argumentation / Frans H. van Eemeren -- Tides in the ocean : a layered approach to communication and culture / Sandra L. Faulkner and Michael L. Hecht -- Historical contexts and trends in development of communication theory / Jennings Bryant & Dorina Miron.

"Offering a direct sightline into communication theory, Explaining Communication provides in-depth discussions of communication theories by some of the foremost scholars working in communication today. With contributions from the original theorists and scholars known for their work in specific theoretical perspectives, this distinctive text breaks new ground in giving these scholars the opportunity to address students firsthand, speaking directly to the coming generations of communication scholars. Covering a wide range of interpersonal communication theories, the scope of this exceptional volume includes: *the nature of theory and fundamental concepts in interpersonal communication; *theories accounting for individual differences in message production;explanations of human communication from dyadic, relational, and/or cultural levels; and *a history of communication theory. Chapter authors offer their own views of the core ideas and findings of specific theoretical perspectives, discussing the phenomena those perspectives are best positioned to explain, how the theories fit into the field, and where future research efforts are best placed. While by no means comprehensive, Explaining Communication includes those theories that rank among those most often used in today’s work, that have generated a substantial body of knowledge over time, and that have not been articulated in detail in other publications. With detailed explorations and first-hand discussions of major communication theories, this volume is essential for students in communication studies, interpersonal communication, and advanced theory courses, as well as for scholars needing a thorough reference to some of the most salient theories in communication today."--Publisher description.

Machine converted from AACR2 source record.