COM 300 Exam 1 Flashcards
(44 cards)
Definition of Theory
A set of systemic, informed hunches about the way things work
Social Scientific Paradigm
The assumption that truth is singular and is accessible through unbiased observation
Interpretive Paradigm
The assumption that thrush is subjective, depending on one’s lived
Qualitative Methods
Research questions: an open-ended question that centers your research
Interview, focus group, observation
small sample size. non-randomly sampling, want to focus on a small group and go in-depth
Quantitative Methods
Hypothesis: A prediction, an educated guess about the way the world works
Survey, experiment, content analysis
Large group sample, randomly sampling
Causation and Correlation
causation: indicates that one event is the result of the occurrence of the other event; indicates that one event is the result of another (ice cream example)
correlation: between variables does not automatically mean that the change in one variable is the cause of the change in the other variable
Symbolic Interactionism: Three Premises
Meaning, Language, Thinking
Symbolic Interactionism: Looking-Glass Self
the mental self-image that results from taking the role of the other
Symbolic Interactionism: I & me
I: the subjective self, is the spontaneous driving force that fosters all that is novel, unpredictable, and unorganized in the self
Me: the objective self, the image of self seen in the looking glass of other people’s reactions
Social Penetration Theory: Four Stages
Orientation: Simple talk, ruled by social conventions
Exploratory Affective Exchange: casual relationships, relaxed and friendly
Affective Exchange: some commitment, close relationships, romantic relationships
Staple stage: deepest personal thoughts, nonverbal level
Self-Disclosure
the voluntary sharing of personal history, preferences, attitudes, feelings, values, secrets, etc. with another person
Self-Disclosure Six Dimensions
Depth & Breadth
Frequency and Duration
Valence and Veracity
Two Standards of Comparison (CL)
The threshold above which an interpersonal outcome seems attractive
We judge the value of a relationship by comparing it to the baseline of past experiences
Two Standards of Comparison level of alternative (CLalt)
The best outcome available in other relationships; a standard for relational stability
e.g. violence, not divorce
Motivation to reduce uncertainty
Anticipation of future interaction (see you again)
Incentive value ( I want something from you)
Deviance (they act in a weird way)
Axiom
A self-evident truth that required no additional proof
Axiom 1
Verbal Communication: (-) Verbal communication increases, uncertainty level decreases
Axiom 2
Nonverbal Warmth: (-) Nonverbal affiliative expressiveness increases, uncertainty levels decrease
Axiom 3
Information Seeking: (+) high levels of uncertainty causes increases in information-seeking behavior
Axiom 4
Self-Disclosure: (-) High levels of uncertainty in a relationship cause decreases in the intimacy level of communication content
Axiom 5
Reciprocity: (+) High levels of uncertainty produce high rates of reciprocity
Axiom 6
Similarity: (-) Similarities between people reduce uncertainty
Axiom 7
Liking : (-) Increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in liking
Axiom 8
Sharing Networks : (-) Shared communication networks reduce uncertainty
