Project #3 Directions

Project #3 requires you to choose a communicationtheory from the list below. You will research your theory and write a 2-3 page paper.

You must use 12 pt font, double spacing and normal margins.

Your paper will consist for 5 paragraphs.

Paragraph #1: Intro: Please introduce theory you choose and why it interested you. Please provide a very brief introduction of theory and preview what main ideas you will be discussing in your paper.

Paragraph #2,3,&4

Main ideas: include elaboration, explanation, examples and one 1-2 sentence quote from your research. Please write a strong paragraph with attention to flow and grammar.

Example of main ideas:

History of the theory/theorist

Explanation of theory & examples

Criticism of theory/evolution of theory

Paragraph #5

Conclusion: Please conclude you paper by summarizing your main ideas and provide an overall concluding opinion in regards to your theory.

Please follow the below directions to get started.

Step #1 Choose a theory from the list below.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Cognitive Dissonance Theory argues that the experience of dissonance (or incompatible beliefs and actions) is aversive and people are highly motivated to avoid it. In their efforts to avoid feelings of dissonance, people will avoid hearing views that oppose their own, change their beliefs to match their actions, and seek reassurance after making a difficult decision.

Communication Accommodation Theory

This theoretical perspective examines the underlying motivations and consequences of what happens when two speakers shift their communication styles. Communication Accommodation theorists argue that during communication, people will try to accommodate or adjust their style of speaking to others. This is done in two ways: divergence and convergence. Groups with strong ethnic or racial pride often use divergence to highlight group identity. Convergence occurs when there is a strong need for social approval, frequently from powerless individuals.

Face-Negotiation Theory

Face-Negotiation Theory is concerned with how people in individualistic and collectivistic cultures negotiate face in conflict situations. The theory is based on face management, which describes how people from different cultures manage conflict negotiation in order to maintain face. Self-face and other-face concerns explain the conflict negotiation between people from various cultures.

Groupthink

The groupthink phenomenon occurs when highly cohesive groups fail to consider alternatives that may effectively resolve group dilemmas. Groupthink theorists contend that group members frequently think similarly and are reluctant to share unpopular or dissimilar ideas with others. When this occurs, groups prematurely make decisions, some of which can have lasting consequences.

Relational Dialectics Theory

Relational Dialectics suggests that relational life is always in process. People in relationships continually feel the pull-push of conflicting desires. Basically, people wish to have both autonomy and connection, openness and protective-ness, and novelty and predictability. As people communicate in relationships, they attempt to reconcile these conflicting desires, but they never eliminate their needs for both of the opposing pairs.

Social Exchange Theory

This theoretical position argues that the major force in interpersonal relationships is the satisfaction of both people’s self-interest. Theorists in Social Exchange posit that self-interest is not necessarily a bad thing and that it can actually enhance relationships. The Social Exchange approach views interpersonal exchange posit that self-interest is not necessarily a bad thing and that it can actually enhance relationships. The Social Exchange approach views interpersonal exchanges as analogous to economic exchanges where people are satisfied when they receive a fair return on their expenditures.

Social Penetration Theory

This theory maintains that interpersonal relationships evolve in some gradual and predictable fashion. Penetration theorists believe that self-disclosure is the primary way that superficial relationships progress to intimate relationships. Although self-disclosure can lead to more intimate relationships, it can also leave one or more persons vulnerable.

Spiral of Silence Theory

Theorists associated with Spiral of Silence Theory argue that due to their enormous power, the mass media have a lasting effect on public opinion. The theory maintains that mass media work simultaneously with Majority public opinion to silence minority beliefs on cultural issues. A fear of isolation prompts those with minority views to examine the beliefs of others. Individuals who fear being socially isolated are prone to conform to what they perceive to be a majority view.

Uncertainly Reduction Theory

Uncertainty Reduction Theory suggests that when strangers meet, their primary focus is on reducing their levels of uncertainty in the situation. Their levels of uncertainty are located in both behavioral and cognitive realms. That is, they may be unsure of how to behave (or how the other person will behave), and they may also be unsure what they think of the other and what the other person thinks of them. Further, people’s uncertainty is both individual level and relational level. People are highly motivated to use communication to reduce their uncertainty according to this theory.

Step #2
Conduct library database research to find2-5 articles about your theory. You can also use websites that end in .gov, .edu, and .org for your research. You need a minimum of 3 sources.

Link to library:
http://www.alamo.edu/sac/library(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

You will create an APA reference page. Please see the MLK examples in module if you need an example of what these look like.

MLK Works Cited example.docx

Step 3: Write your paper and create your APA works cited page. Please reference above instructions to see exactly what the paragraph requirements are.

Again, you are welcome to create your own key points and cover what you find to be most interesting. Please make sure you remain unbiased and focus on covering factual information.