Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life: A Practical Introduction

'This text is indicative of the maturing of our discipline - if communication is truly constitutive of social reality, as we believe it is - then communication should be presented as something more than just another variable among many others that effect organizational life. This is an opportunity to finally provide a text that recognizes the centrality of human communication in all interpersonal and organizational contexts' - G.L. Forward, Point Loma Nazarene University. 'The case studies make this text most distinctive. They are relevant, require students to apply the theories to real-life situations, and provide students with an opportunity to realize the application of theory in a safe environment. Unlike many texts which are primarily intended to be read, "Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life" serves as a framework for student participation and a catalyst for classroom discussion' - Wallace Schmidt, Rollins College."Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life" is the first communication theory textbook to provide practical material for career-oriented students. The inclusion and analysis of real-world case studies illustrate the application of theory in a variety of professional settings. Whereas other communication theory texts have a more academic focus on theory or research methods, "Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life" is specifically designed to introduce communication theory in a tangible way. The featured theories are those that have strong pragmatic value and clear applicability to communication and business practitioners. Particular emphasis is placed on theories of intrapersonal communication, interpersonal interaction, intercultural encounters, persuasion, leadership, group communication, organizational behavior, and mass communication.This textbook covers theories that have clear applicability to communication and business practitioners. Each chapter details theories dealing with a specific domain of communication, followed by a real-life case study that effectively illustrates the practicality and value of those theories. Charts and models highlight the central concepts of each theory presented. A 'Synthesis' chapter identifies common themes that emerge when looking at the similarities and differences among the theories and clarifies these themes within the framework of communication competence."Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life" is recommended as the core text for upper-level undergraduate or graduate communication theory courses. It is also appropriate as a supplementary text for courses in communication, business and psychology. Marianne Dainton is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at La Salle University, where she is a recipient of the Roland Holroyd Award for Distinguished Teaching and Service. She received her Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 1994, and has published extensively in research journals in the field of communication. Elaine D Zelley is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at La Salle University. She received her Ph.D. from Penn State University in 2000. In addition to teaching, she also served as team facilitator at the Smeal College of Management and Business Administration at Penn State.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Introduction to Communication Theory What Is Communication? What Is Theory? The Theory-Research Link What Is Research? Research Methods in Communication Social Science and the Humanities Evaluating Theory Chapter Summary Case Study 1: Theory and Research in Communication Consulting 2. Explaining Theories of Intrapersonal Communication Intrapersonal Communication Defined Message Design Logics Attribution Theory Uncertainty Reduction Theory Expectancy Violations Theory Chapter Summary Case Study 2: Military Misunderstanding 3. Explaining Theories of Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal Communication Defined Systems Perspective Politeness Theory Social Exchange Theory Dialectical Perspective Chapter Summary Case Study 3: Coworker Conflict 4. Explaining Theories of Culture Culure Defined Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Communication Accommodation Theory Face-Negotiation Theory Gender and Communication: A Two-Culture Perspective Chapter Summary Case Study 4: The Trouble With Tourists 5. Explaining Theories of Persuasion Persuasion Defined Social Judgment Theory Elaboration Likelihood Model Cognitive Dissonance Theory Narrative Paradigm Chapter Summary Case Study 5: CONNECTion Problems 6. Explaining Theories of Leadership Leadership Defined Likert's Four Systems Transformational Leadership Contingency Model Leader-Member Exchange Chapter Summary Case Study 6: Saving Holmes Hospitality 7. Explaining Theories of Group Communication Group Communication Defined Interaction Process Analysis/SYMLOG Symbolic Convergence Theory Functional Group Decision Making Groupthink Chapter Summary Case Study 7: The Gifted Group 8. Explaining Theories of Organizational Communication Organizational Communication Defined Organizational Identification and Control Organizational Culture Structuration Theory Organizing Theory Chapter Summary Case Study 8: A Time of Transition 9. Explaining Theories of Mediated Communication Mass Communication Defined Agenda-Setting Theory Cultivation Theory Social Learning Theory Uses and Gratifications Theory Chapter Summary Case Study 9: The Gay Agenda 10. So What Should a Communicator Do? Communication Competence Conclusions About Communication Conclusions About Influences/Effects Returning to Communication Competence Chapter Summary References Index

About the Author :
Marianne Dainton (MA, PhD, The Ohio State University; BA, Villanova University) is professor of communication at La Salle University in Philadelphia, where she also serves as Director of Graduate Studies. She teaches communication theory, interpersonal communication, group communication, and organizational communication. Marianne's research focuses on communication that facilitates relationship maintenance. She has published in Communication Monographs, the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Family Relations, and Communication Quarterly, among other places. She has also published numerous book chapters; is the coeditor (with Daniel Canary) of the Erlbaum book Maintaining Relationships Through Communication and is co-author of the forthcoming Sage book Applying Communication Research for Problem-Solving: A Practical Introduction. Elaine D. Zelley (MA, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University; BA, Ursinus College) is an associate professor of communication at La Salle University in Philadelphia. She teaches communication theory, interpersonal communication, group communication, and communication ethics. Elaine's research also focuses broadly on the communication of relationship maintenance. She is particularly interested in women's friendships and the messages used to sustain such relationships. She has published in Communication Yearbook and has also coauthored several book chapters dealing with the topics of relationship maintenance and friendship.