Communication and Human Behavior

A knowledge of human behaviour helps us understand ourselves, our actions, our motives, our feelings, and our aspirations… Communication and Human Behavior portrays a broad and colorful landscape of the field, outlines the history of communication study, and focuses on communication as a basic life process that is necessary to our lives as individuals and to our relationships, groups, organisations, cultures, and societies. Communication and Human Behavior by Brent Ruben and Lea Stewart: integrates up-to-date examples and research findings throughout, including persuasion, interpersonal relationships, organisational communication and leadership, 21st century careers, useful information about Middle Eastern culture, contemporary social media use, and more. examines the role of communication in multiple contexts of human life, including individual relationships, groups, organisations, cultural/intercultural frameworks, and public and mass communication. is expansive yet integrated, rigorous yet readable, and fuses theory and practice.

Table of Contents:
Chapter1: Why We Study Communication Importance of Studying Communication Communication Is Complex Communication Is Vital to Workplace Effectiveness A Higher Education Does Not Ensure Communication Competence Communication Is a Valuable Discipline Theories: Guides for Analysis and Action Personal Theories Scholarly Theories Combining Personal and Scholarly Theories Defining Communication Level of Observation The Question of Intent Point of View The Issue of Outcomes Fundamentals of Communication Communication Is a Process Communication Is Essential for Individuals, Relationships, Groups, Organizations, and Societies Communication Involves Responding to and Creating Messages Communication Involves Adapting to People and the Environment Communication: Our Definition Goals of Communication and Human Behavior Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Chapter 2: Communication Past and Present Ancient Roots of Communication Study Rhetoric and Speech Origins of Communication Theory: Early Greece 17th–19th Centuries Journalism Early 20th Century: Development of Speech and Journalism The 1940s–1960s: Interdisciplinarity Lasswell's View of Communication Shannon and Weaver's Model Katz and Lazarsfeld's Model Westley and MacLean's Model The 1970s–1980s: Growth and Specialization The 1990s–The Present Period: Digital Media and The Information-Everywhere Age Information as a Commodity Converging Media Communication Study Today Ancient and Newly Emergent Discipline and Interdisciplinary Link Personal and Professional Applicability Old and New Technology Problem and Solution Practical Skill and Fundamental Life Process The Evolution of Theory Communication Theory Today Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Chapter 3: Communication as a Basic Life Process Beyond S → M → R = E: The Adaptation Perspective Communication Processes in Animals and Humans Communication Modes Visual Messages Tactile Messages Olfactory and Gustatory Messages Auditory Messages Basic Life Functions of Communication Courtship and Mating Reproduction Parent-Offspring Relations and Socialization Navigation Self-Defense Territoriality The Communication Iceberg The Visibility and Invisibility of Human Communication Visible Aspects of Communication People Symbols Technology Invisible Aspects of Communication Meaning Learning Subjectivity Negotiation Culture Interacting Contexts and Levels Self-Reference Self-Reflexivity Ethics Inevitability Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication Similarities Between Nonverbal and Verbal Communication Rule-Governed Intentionality Common Message Functions Persuasion and Social Influence Differences Between Nonverbal and Verbal Communication Awareness and Attention Overt and Covert Rules Control Public versus Private Status Hemispheric Specialization Paralanguage Vocalic Forms Written Forms The Face Eye Gaze Pupil Dilation The Body Hair Physique Dress and Adornment Artifacts Gestures (Kinesics) Inherited, Discovered, Imitated, and Trained Actions Types of Gestures Touch (Haptics) Use of Space (Proxemics) The Physical Environment Time (Chronemics) Timing Timeliness Messages and Meanings: Ms ≠ Mr Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Chapter 5: Verbal Communication Message Production Encoding and Decoding Message- Versus Meaning-Centered Models of Communication The Nature of Language Cognitive Factors Acquiring Our Language Capability Representation Language and Reality Limitations of Language for Representation Conversation Negotiation of Meanings Rules and Rituals Gendered Language Content and Relationship Metacommunication Microaggressions Difficult Conversations Persuasion and Social Influence Compliance-Gaining Social Influence Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Chapter 6: Perception & Information Processing Selection Interpretation Retention (Memory) Short-Term and Long-Term Memory Semantic and Episodic Memory Receiver Influences Needs Attitudes, Beliefs, and Values Goals Capability Use Communication Style Experience and Habit Message and Information Influences Origin Mode Physical Characteristics Organization Novelty Source Influences Proximity Physical and Social Attraction and Similarity Credibility and Authoritativeness Motivation and Intent Delivery Status, Power or Authority, and Peer Pressure Technological and Environmental Influences Technology The Environment Consistency and Competition An Active and Complex Process Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Chapter 7: Mediated Communication The Tool-Making Animal Communication Technology and Its Functions Production and Distribution Reception, Storage, and Retrieval Types of Media Evolution of Communication Media Communication Technology in Everyday Life Technological Convergence Increasing Number of Messages and Media New Technology Means More Messages and New Communication Literacy Needs Substituting Communication for Transportation Evolving Concepts of Office and Home Increasing Value of Information as a Commodity Increasing Availability of Synthetic Experience Understanding Media Influence Cues-Filtered-Out Theories Social Influence Theory Adaptive Structuration Theory Aspects of Mediated Communication Synchronicity Interactivity Control of Content Anonymity Responsibility and Accountability Sense of Place Communication Technology and the Quality of Life Media Forms Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Chapter 8: The Individual: Identity and The Self Reaction, Action, and Interaction Cognitive Development Learning Characteristics of Personal Representations Self-Development Stress and Growth Self-Expression Emotional Intelligence Self-Awareness Self-Reflexiveness and Self-Monitoring Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Chapter 9: Interpersonal Communication and Relationships Interpersonal Communication and Relationships Types of Relationships Dyadic and Triadic Relationships Task and Social Relationships Short- and Long-Term Relationships Casual and Intimate Relationships Dating, Love, and Marital Relationships Family Relationships The Evolution of Relationships Coming Together Stages Growing Together or Coming Apart Stages Relationships Are Complex Relational Patterns Supportive and Defensive Climates Dependencies and Counter-Dependencies Progressive and Regressive Spirals Factors That Influence Patterns Stage of Relationship and Context Interpersonal Needs and Styles Roles and Positional Power Conflict Relational Competence Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Chapter 10: Group Communication Groups: The Predictable Realities Why People Join Groups Types of Groups Task and Social Dimensions Contrived and Emergent Groups Roles and Responsibilities Task-Oriented Roles Group-Building and Support Roles Individualistic Roles Leadership Functions of Leadership Approaches to Leading and Leadership Group Development Group Communication Networks Stages of Development Culture: Symbols, Rules, and Codes Group Initiation and Socialization Group Decision-Making Consensus Compromise Majority Vote Arbitration Group Cohesiveness Symptoms of Too Little Cohesiveness: Boredom and Indifference Symptoms of Too Much Cohesiveness: The Groupthink Syndrome Conflict in Groups Mediated Groups Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Chapter 11: Organizations Communication and Organizations Organizational Purposes, Plans, and Goals Organizational Theories Scientific Management Human Relations Systems Quality Innovation Roles and Responsibilities Leadership Communication Networks Network Functions Network Size Internal Networks: Message Flows Within Organizations External Networks: Research and Public Relations Mediated Communication Networks Organizational Communication Networks in Action Organizational Culture Origins of Organizational Cultures Functions of Organizational Cultures Assimilation, Socialization, and Innovation in Organizations Organizational Climate Diversity in Organizations Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Endnote Chapter 12: Cultures and Societies The Nature of Culture The Relationship Between Communication and Culture Characteristics of Culture Cultures Are Complex and Multifaceted Cultures Are Invisible to Their Members Cultures Are Subjective Cultures Change Over Time A Word of Caution The Role of Mediated Communication Cultural Adaptation Stages of Cultural Adaptation Intercultural Communication Societies (Complex Cultural and Communication Systems) National and International Networks International Communication: The Global Village Complexities Abound Conclusion Check Your Knowledge References Index