While not presuming to present a model of organizational socialization that is complete and totally accurate, this paper examines organizational socialization in a new way through the lenses of symbolic interactionism and culture theory. The first section of the paper describes the basic tenets of symbolic interactionism and how these have been…

The communication discipline has advanced the belief that arguing (high argumentativeness) is a constructive communication activity. Recent research efforts have attempted the integration of principles from argumentation, interpersonal communication, and conflict management, and several benefits of high motivation to argue and skill in informal…

In an effort to establish the domain of organizational communication (OC), this paper defines variables, presents models of their relationships, explains the three dominant approaches to OC, and proposes ways to test their competing claims. Having defined characteristic, causal, and result variables, the paper stresses the importance of…

This paper describes a four-dimensional model for the science of knowledge acquisition and a classification system in terms of these dimensions. A summary of the state of the art in terms of the cells generated in a four-dimensional representation of this classification system is presented. The need for better tools for conducting knowledge…

A study suggests a new approach for evaluating debate techniques. Previously used paradigms all have some disadvantages. Application of the policy-making paradigm, which involves isolating a problem, having one side propose a solution, then having the opponent point out the solution's disadvantages, is difficult because the paradigm does not…

Observes that three dominant perspectives on intentionality--the encoder, decoder, and interactional--emerge from communication literature. Explains that the encoder perspective links intent to conscious activity, whereas the decoder perspective associates intent with observable actions. Notes that the interactional perspective attempts to unite…

This paper presents a research prospectus on using uncertainty reduction theory in intercultural communication. After a comprehensive review of the literature on uncertainty reduction, it is found that although information exchange is an important process in uncertainty reduction, it has long been neglected in previous studies. In the paper, after…

This paper focuses on the organizational group, noting the lack of an integrated theoretical base, describing the nature of group behavior theories, and suggesting the employment of a metatheory framework to improve both the theoretical integration and the practical application of group behavior research. The paper first considers four general…

Describes a four-tiered model of the intellectual structure of the human communication discipline: (1) the structural properties of messages; (2) individual, social, and cultural aspects of message activity; (3) interpersonal, small group, and public levels of message activity; and (4) message activity in recurrent social situations. (SR)

Although professionalism has been an important concept to American journalists for over a century, no consensus exists regarding what concepts like profession, professionalism, and professionalization mean. Three basic traditions have dominated the sociological literature on professionalism: (1) the phenomenological approach, which advocates…

A theory of group interaction with a focus on the trajectories of relevant variables as they change over time is developed in this paper. The four major components of the group interaction process (communication, conflict, involvement, and centralization) are presented and conceptually defined, and the nature of their interdependence is discussed.…

Analyzes the status of the audience as a theoretical construct. Argues against the usefulness of a unified conception of audience effects. Develops an epistemological framework for reconstructive theorizations of the concrete structures and practices studied as audience issues. (MS)

Current models of communication fear and avoidance are analyzed (i.e., genetic, social and interactional). A new model is proposed, linking language, imagery, emotion, and behavior to complex neurological systems in the brain. Evidence for the model is taken from several related fields of study, especially neurolinguistics, neuropsychology,…

Describes four paradigms that dominate the major research traditions in organizational communication: functionalist, interpretive, radical humanist, and radical structuralist. Argues that, although researchers rarely make their core assumptions known, their beliefs about social reality undergird the way they theorize and put into operation…

Reviews empirical research on nonverbal communication in the courtroom environment. Introduces a functional model that explicates the process whereby nonverbal signals of courtroom participants can influence a jury. Suggests that nonverbal communication has a role in five key areas. Presents several propositions that come from the research. Notes…