Explaining Communication

Explaining Communication presents 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.

Bryan B. Whaley, Wendy Samter

Contents: Preface. S.W. Littlejohn, The Nature and Evaluation of Theory. K. Tracy, Discourse and Identity: Language or Talk? W.A. Afifi, Nonverbal Communication. C. Pavitt, Impression Formation. S.R. Wilson, Communication Theory and the Concept of "Goal". B.R. Burleson, Constructivism: A General Theory of Communication Skill. A. Rancer, A.M. Nicotera, Aggressiveness Communication. C.R. Berger, Plans, Planning, and Communication Effectiveness. J.O. Greene, Formulating and Producing Verbal and Nonverbal Messages: An Action Assembly Theory. A.S. Babrow, Problematic Integration Theory. D.E. Brashers, A Theory of Communication and Uncertainty Management. D. Goldsmith, Brown and Levinson's Politeness Theory. M. Cody, D. Dunn, Accounts. M.C. Morr, S. Petronio, Communication Privacy Management Theory. L. Baxter, D.O. Braithwaite, Social Dialectics: The Contradictions of Relating. H. Giles, T. Ogay, Communication Accommodation Theory. J. Courtright, Relational Communication: As Viewed from the Pragmatic Perspective. W.A. Beach, Conversational Interaction: Understanding How Family Members Talk Through Cancer. F.H. van Eemeren, Pragma-Dialectical Theory of Argumentation. S.L. Faulkner, M.L. Hecht, Tides in the Ocean: A Layered Approach to Communication and Culture. J. Bryant, D. Miron, Historical Contexts and Trends in Development of Communication Theory.