HUMAN COMMUNICATION STUDIES – WHAT, WHERE, AND HOW
• What the Study of Human Communication Isn’t and Is
“Communications” (what it isn’t) – views communication narrowly as a simplistic
one-way flow of “broadcast” information facilitated by the technology channels of
the media industry (television, film, radio, Internet, telephone, and print)
oFocus of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunications
“Communication” (what it is) – views communication broadly as any facet of the
situated, interactive process of creating, channelizing, interpreting, and responding
to messages
oFocus of the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication
Essentially, human communication is symbolic activity – how people engage in
interaction to understand and influence each other
oHuman beings are fundamentally characterized by an extensive capability to
symbolize thoughts, feelings, and experiences
oSymbolic activity enables people to express themselves so that they can
understand and influence each other
The benefits of human communication studies of symbolic activity:
oReveals how symbolic activity enables people to connect with each other,
creating relationships, groups, organizations, and cultures
oReveals how symbolic activity enables people to learn from each other,
producing growth in intelligence and maturity
oReveals how symbolic activity enables people to impact each other, influencing
changes in perceptions, attitudes, and actions
• Where Human Communication Occurs – Significant Communication Contexts
Interpersonal contexts – relational interaction between two people
Small group contexts – interaction within teams of people working together
Organizational contexts – interaction within organized institutions
Cultural contexts – interaction within and between social cultures
Public discourse contexts – interaction through live and mediated public address
• How Human Communication Occurs – A Sampling of Communication Functions
Development of relational closeness and intimacy
Constructive conflict management
Team development and productivity
Organizational leadership and change
Cross-cultural communication and adaptation
Social influence, power, and persuasion
Political campaigns and policy-making
Courtroom advocacy and jury deliberations
