Welcome to Perspectives on Human Communication

Here is a video of how communication can cause some awkward situations in your everyday life. The goal of the website is to teach you how to avoid these situations, and become a better communicator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nPeTfeFALk

Interpersonal Communication

A process of using language and nonverbal cues to send and receive messages (between individuals) that are intended to arouse particular kinds of meanings (DeFleur, Kearney, Plax, & DeFleur, 2005).

There are a number of theories of Interpersonal Communication, including but not limited to the following.

• Social Exchange Theory
• Uncertainty Reduction Theory
• Dialogic Theory
• Social Penetration

You can learn more about these theories by following the "Key Theories" link on the left.

Intrapersonal Communication

A process, which involves communication with one’ self.
A number of theories that explain different aspects of Intrapersonal communication are as follows.
• Attribution theory
• Cognitive Dissonance theory
• Social Judgment theory
• Balance theory

Organizational Communication

The transmission of messages, through the formal and informal channels, of a relatively large, deliberately designed group, resulting in the construction of meanings that have influences on its members, both as individuals and on the group as a whole (DeFleur, Kearney, Plax, & DeFleur, 2005).

There are a number of theories that correspond to this branch of communication including the following.

• Information Systems Approach
• Organization Assimilation/Socialization
• Cultural Approach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o77X8OsLJM8

Group Communications

Is communication between a collective set of individuals working toward a common objective, interacting in a coordinated way, and that regulate their behaviour based on shared rules they mutually recognize and follow (DeFleur, Kearney, Plax, & DeFleur, 2005).

Here is a short list of theories that belong to the Group Communications branch.

• Systems Theory
• Rules Theory
• Group Assesment
• Groupthink

Mass Communications

A process by which professional communicators use media to disseminate messages widely and rapidly, arousing meanings in large and diverse audiences to influence them in various ways (DeFleur, Kearney, Plax, & DeFleur, 2005).

Here are a number of Mass Communication theories.

• Agenda-setting theory
• Cultivation theory
• Spiral of Silence theory
• Uses and Gratifications theory

Public Address/Publlic Speaking

The process by which a speaker effectively utilizes oral communication to inform, persuade, or entertain an audience.

Intercultural Communication

Is the management of messages for the purpose of creating meanings across cultures (uky.edu, 2009)

Here is a short list of theories that apply to Intercultural Communication.

• Critical Theory
• Cross-Cultural Adaptation
• Genderlecht
• Standpoint theory