Communication Theories
Theories has different definitions to it such as, “Theory is a coherent group of tested general propositions, commonly regarded as correct, that can be used as principles of explanation and prediction for a class of phenomena”, as well as “Theory is a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural and subject to experimentation, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual facts”. (“theory”, n.d.).
Theories in communication are essential because it is part of a tool as those who apply it in their daily life could engage in confident and meaningful conversations about communication with scholars, those who applies it could address challenges in communication in the everyday level more creatively and effectively. With the understanding of the importance of theories, our life would be more meaningful and with what is happening around us, we could have better understanding of life.
The theories that I have captured my interest would be Cognitive Dissonance Theory and the Uncertainty Reduction Theory. I like the fact that both of them are something, which I could be able to relate too quite easily. Both theories have different features to be used as part of our daily lives but both equivalently important. Leon Festinger developed the theory of Cognitive Dissonance in the 1950s. This theory states that when we receive something that disagrees with our beliefs or actions. We feel psychologically uncomfortable and are motivated to take actions to overcome it. We could avoid it, change our beliefs to match our actions (or vice versa), and/or seek reassurances after making a difficult decision.
An example would be Person A is okay with same sex marriage whilst Person B is totally against same sex marriage, if Person A were to talk about his friends of the same sex getting married in the weekend, Person B would go through Cognitive Dissonance whereby he would feel uncomfortable knowing that
Theories in communication are essential because it is part of a tool as those who apply it in their daily life could engage in confident and meaningful conversations about communication with scholars, those who applies it could address challenges in communication in the everyday level more creatively and effectively. With the understanding of the importance of theories, our life would be more meaningful and with what is happening around us, we could have better understanding of life.
The theories that I have captured my interest would be Cognitive Dissonance Theory and the Uncertainty Reduction Theory. I like the fact that both of them are something, which I could be able to relate too quite easily. Both theories have different features to be used as part of our daily lives but both equivalently important. Leon Festinger developed the theory of Cognitive Dissonance in the 1950s. This theory states that when we receive something that disagrees with our beliefs or actions. We feel psychologically uncomfortable and are motivated to take actions to overcome it. We could avoid it, change our beliefs to match our actions (or vice versa), and/or seek reassurances after making a difficult decision.
An example would be Person A is okay with same sex marriage whilst Person B is totally against same sex marriage, if Person A were to talk about his friends of the same sex getting married in the weekend, Person B would go through Cognitive Dissonance whereby he would feel uncomfortable knowing that