COMM 5402 Advanced Interpersonal Communication

1. COMM 5402Advanced Interpersonal Communication Fall 2010 Ascan F. Koerner

2. Knowledge

3. Ways of knowing • Empiricism • Based on experience / senses • Rationalism • Based on reason • Constructivism • Based on convention

4. Science • One way to generate knowledge • Based on Empiricism & Rationalism (logic) • Assumes objective Truth • Reality independent of observer • Regularity of reality (stability & laws) • Observer capable of observation • Social science assumes this about the social world (at least to a degree)

5. Science & Theory • Theories are formal articulations of knowledge • The scientific method is to gain knowledge by deriving hypotheses and testing them (by attempting to disprove their predictions) • Thus, science is the process of developing and testing theories

6. Defining Theory I

7. Defining Theory II

8. Human Need for Explanation • Need for theory in human mind • 3 ways of experience the world • observer • theorist (observer & explanation) • researcher (theorist & test)

9. Theoretical Models • Units (Variables) • Laws of Interaction • Boundaries • System States • Propositions • Operationalizations • Hypotheses

10. Ideas to keep in mind 1) No a priori limits on what theory is about 2) A theoretical model has to be complete 3) Adequacy = internal logic 4) Validity is determined through research 5) Only testing makes a theory scientific

11. Preferred Theory Is a matter of consensus - consensus about boundaries & scope - consensus about the internal logic - consensus about empirical evidence

12. Questions • What about Truth? Does research lead to truth? • What exactly is the difference between adequacy and validity of a theory? • Why is a preferred theory determined by consensus and not by validity?

13. Standards of a Scientific Theory • Explanation • Prediction • Parsimony • Falsefiability • Utility

14. Prediction focus on outcomes focus on variable values focus on stability & transition of system states Understanding/ Explanation focus on understanding of causal relationships among units Two Goals of Science

15. Two Paradoxes • Precision: prediction without understanding • Power: understanding without prediction

16. Assignment • In your group, think of an example for the precision paradox and an example for the power paradox. • Using your examples, determine whether they really are paradoxes, and try to resolve them (i.e., explain how they are possible)

17. Explaining the Paradoxes • Precision: deterministic relationships among units lead to stable associations between them that can be observed • Power: theoretical models highlight significant relationships between units w/o accounting for ALL causal factors or their interactions

18. Units defined: Units are mental conceptualizations that represent the parts of a theoretical model that interact with one another in specific ways.

19. Theoretical Models Unit - Unit + - Unit = Laws of Interaction = Boundary

20. Properties of Units • Units are things or properties of things • Units are plural, at least in principle • Units can be attributes or variables, i.e., are categorical or continuous • Units can be real or nominal, i.e., represent actual or hypothetical constructs • Units can be sophisticated or primitive, i.e., are defined or undefined

21. Exercise: Units = things or properties of things • Relational intimacy in a couple • A person’s religious belief • A group’s ethnicity • Family communication patterns • A person’s height

22. Laws of Interaction: • link units of a theory • do NOT require causality • may be categorical • may be sequential • may be determinant • may be negative

23. Types of Interaction: • linear • curvilinear • recursive

24. Efficiencies of Laws High Efficiency • rate of change • covariance • directionality • presence-absence Low Efficiency

25. Conditions for Causality • Covariance • Temporal Precedence • Exclusion of Plausible Alternatives

26. Propositions • A truth statement in regard to the theoretical model • NOT in regard to reality (i.e., no need for empirical truth) • Must follow accepted rules of logic • A statement about the relationship among units • NOT a statement about unit or set membership.

27. Propositions & Laws • equivalent to a law of interaction • more limited then a law of interaction • combining two or more laws of interaction

28. Empirical Indicators • Operationalization of a theoretical construct • Good Indicators are reliable and valid Reliability: consistency of measure Validity: measuring the right thing.

29. Reliability and Validity Validity low high low Reliability high

30. Types of Validity in Social Science • Face Validity • Does it make sense? • Content Validity • Is the entire concept represented? • Criterion Validity • Does it correlate with other known measures? • Construct Validity • Does it behave like the construct outside the model?

31. Hypothesis: • A hypothesis is a prediction about the values of units of a theory (where empirical indicators are employed for the units in each proposition) that allow researchers to assess the validity of the theoretical model.

32. Three condition of a good test of a scientific theory • A) deducible • from the theoretical model • B) improbable • unless theoretical model is “true” • C) verifiable (testable)

33. Hypotheses Testing and Theory Development • Extensive Tests: test all strategic hypotheses • Intensive Tests: test only key hypotheses • Inductive Tests: build theory from empirical data

34. Assignment • Define Communication: In 1 paragraph, write a definition of interpersonal communication that captures the concept (unit). Base the definition on knowledge you have from a prior course, experience, or a theoretical approach you are familiar with.

35. Group Assignment • Read each definition aloud • Compare and contrast the definitions • Discuss strengths and weaknesses of each definition • Synthesize a final definition of IPC • Think about operationalizations of you definition

36. Defining Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal Communication is any interaction between two or more persons who are aware of each other and: exchange information create meaning exert influence establish social reality Create & maintain relationships

37. History of IPC • Explorations in Interpersonal Communication, 1976 • Created a vision for the field • Emphasized dyadic relationships and symbiosis of IPC and relationship development • Interpersonal Processes, 1987 • Interdisciplinary & focusing on processes beyond relationship development

38. Evolving Trends • Proliferations of Identifications • Globalization • The Dark Side • Dominant & Alternate Metatheoretical Views • Focus on Applied & Funded Research • Technology

39. Class Discussion Rules Discussion may start with a brief review of core assumptions / theoretical model Each student prepares at least one question to ask in class Each question is answered by at least two students before I get a turn

40. Homework Assignment Think of a phenomenon in interpersonal communication that is in need of a theoretical explanation (i.e., a topic for your term paper). Write a one paragraph research proposal answering the what & why questions. Due Tuesday, Oct., 12th!

41. The Theory of Evolution Life evolves through the dual process of random mutation and selection, such that those changes that increase a gene’s (i.e., usually its carrier) reproductive success are passed on to future generations and spread through the gene pool, whereas changes that decrease a gene’s (i.e., usually its carrier) reproductive success are not passed on and disappear from the gene pool.

42. Theory of Evolution (Darwin) Variation (random change of traits) Inheritance (passing on of traits to offspring) Selection (of advantageous traits) - Survival - Reproduction

43. Inclusive Fitness (Hamilton) Evolution understood from the gene’s perspective(I.e., Selfish Gene) Essentially, genes evolve Solves “problem” of altruism

44. Evolved Psychological Mechanisms solve specific recurring problems of survival or reproduction takes in limited information uses decision rules to obtain output output can be psychological, physiological, or behavioral

45. Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA) Those factors that determine fitness and selection of an adaptation Factors might be environmental and social Many of the social factors might not be temporally stable

46. Relational Dialectics Dialogic theoretical paradigm, not unsimilar to interpretive stance Evaluative criterion is heuristic value Based on Hegel’s Dialectics Meaning arises out or dialectic tension Thesis, antithesis, synthesis However, unlike Hegel, no synthetical resolution but continuous struggle

47. Process of Dialectics • Located in langue use that make reference to divergent discourses • Communication is intertextual • Distal already spokens • Proximal already spokens • Proximal not yet spokens • Distal not yet spokens

48. Fundamental to Dialectics POWER?

49. Uncertainty Reduction Theory Persons are motivated to explain & predict social interactions Thus, in early stages of relationships, persons are motivated to reduce uncertainty

50. Uncertainty Reduction Strategies Passive: observing other Active: asking 3rd parties Interactive: communicating with other Asking Disclosing Relaxing Strategy determined by: Effectiveness Social Appropriateness