MGMB01H3 Study Guide - Final Guide: New Criticism, Communication Theory, Mass Society
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In studying the process of communication, we often draw on social theory, particularly communication theory, for helping us understand how processes of communication are nuanced and operate. Social theory: a representation of the social world; a set of ideas about how the world is organized and functions. Our ideas and assumptions of how the world works are often fragmented and contradictory. E(cid:454). (cid:862)ma(cid:374)(cid:455) ha(cid:374)ds (cid:373)ake light (cid:449)o(cid:396)k(cid:863) (cid:448)s. (cid:862)too (cid:373)a(cid:374)(cid:455) (cid:272)ooks spoil the (cid:271)(cid:396)oth(cid:863) In contrast, social theory strives to offer rigorous, logical explanation of elements of the social world. It is a representation of the world that attempts to provide a systematic and comprehensive explanation of the relationships between individuals, social groups, and the world around them. It provides explanations of how things work and why things are the way they are. These explanations guide actions: to alleviate social problems and improve the quality of life or construct social policy. There are a wide variety of communication theories:
