Chapter 1

• A theory is a set of systematic, informed hunches about the way things operate. A theory is not just one inspired thought or idea.
• Theories always involve an element of speculation.

• When we have hunches it means we don't have answers.
• If no puzzle to be solved or obvious explanation, then there is no need to develop a theory.
• A theory is not just one inspired thought or isolated idea.
• A develped theory offers some sort of explanation.
• A theory will give some indication of scope.
• Theory construction involes multiple hunches.

• Like the lens of a camera it highlights the idea that theories shape our perceptions by focusing attention on some features of communication while ignoring other features.
• Negative--might regard what is seen through the glass as so dependent on the theoretical stance of the viewer that we abandon any attempt to discern what is real or true.

• Communication theories are maps of the way communication works.
• The truth they depict may have to do with objective behaviors (outside) or subjective meaning inside our heads.
• Negative--A static theory, like a still photograph, can nevery fully portray the richness of interaction between people that is constantly changing.

• Karl Popper says that theories are nets cast to catch what we call "the world" trying to make the mesh finer and finer"
• Theories are the tools of the trade.Small nets capture distinct types of communication in local situations.

• The world can be interpreted as everything that goes on under the sun-requiring a grand theory that applies to all communication.
• Conversely, catching the world cancall for numerous special theories--different kinds of small nets to capture distinct types of communication in local situation.
• Negative--the theories could be woven so tightly that they snag everything that humans think, say or do, also raising questions about our freedom to choose some actions and reject others.

• Messages are the very core of communication study
• Communication involves talking and listening, writing and reading, performing and witnessing or doing anything that involves "messages" in any medium or situation.
• Text is a synonym for a message that can be studied, regardless of the medium.
• Communication as a crossroads discipline because academic areas intersect with the study of communication.
• For a message to be considered communication it must elicit a response.

The content and form of a text are usually constructed, invented, planned, crafted, constituted, selected, or adopted by the communicator.

• "words don't mean mean things, people mean things.
• Humans act toward people or things on the basis of the meanings they assign to those people or things.
• Words and other symbols are polysemic, open to multiple interpretations.

• Communication is a process of relating.
• Communication is a relational process not only because it takes place between two or more people bt also because it affects the nature of the connections among people.

• The final component of communication. If the message fails to stimulate any cognitive, emotional, or behavioral reaction, it seems pointless to refer to it as communication.
• "Falling on deaf ears"

• A theory lays out multiple ideas
• Specifies the relationship among them
• Links are clearly defined with a pattern emerging
• Ties together all of the ideas into a unified whol

• Theories are somethimes defined as educated guesses
• Not based on vague impressions nor accidental by-products of life
• Theories tend to result when the creator has discovered something in the environment which triggers the process of theory construction

A set of systematic, informed hunches about the way things operate. A theory is not just one inspired thought or idea.