[COMM 502] - Final Exam Guide - Ultimate 45 pages long Study Guide!

• School: Bloomsburg University
• Department: COMM - Communication
• Course: COMM 502
• Professor: La Valley, Angela

Document Summary

Ernest bormann defined theory as an umbrella term for all careful, systematic, and self-conscious discussion and analysis of communication phenomena. This definition is purposefully broad, but may not be helpful in providing a direction for study. Judee burgoon suggested that a theory is nothing more than a set of systemic hunches about the way things operate. If a theory is a set of hunches, it means we aren"t yet sure we have the answer. Theories always involve an element of speculation or conjecture. A theory is not just one inspired thought or an isolated idea. A theorist has a responsibility to check it out. A theorist should be familiar with alternate explanations and interpretations. A theory is an integrated system of concepts, laying out both relevant terms and their relationship to one another. A theory ties together ideas into a unified whole. Theory might also be understood using descriptive metaphors.