Communication Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Communication Theories - Essay characterAs Giles & Clair (1979 17) note, language is not a homogeneous, static system. It is multi-channeled, multi-variable and capable of vast modifications from context to context by the speaker, slight differences of which are often detected by listeners and afforded social significance. Given the fact that even the well-nigh trivial aspects of speech and pronunciation can take on crucial importance, it stands to reason that individuals, consciously or unconsciously, should, among other things, seek or eschew identification with others through language.There are several theories authentic to model the process of communication between cardinal or more individuals. One of these is the 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, the grea t unwashed will try to accommodate or adjust their style of speaking to others. This is done in two ways exit and convergence. Groups with strong ethnic or racial pride often use contrariety to highlight group identity. Convergence occurs when there is a strong need for social approval, frequently from ineffective individuals.Communication Accommodation Theory focuses on the role of conversations in our lives. It has been incorporated in a identification number of different studies. For instance, accommodation has been studied in the mass media, with families, with Chinese students, with the elderly, on the job, in interviews, and even with messages leave on telephone answering machines. There is no doubt that the conjecture is heuristic. The surmise is expansive exuberant to be very complete, and it has been supported by research from diverse authors. In addition, the theorys core processes of convergence and divergence make it relatively easy to understand, underscoring th e simplicity of the theory.The strengths of the theory may be quite significant because the theory has elicited little scholarly criticism. Still, a few shortcomings of the theory merit attention. Judee Burgoon, Leesa Dillman, and Lesa Stern (1993), for example, question the convergence-divergence put in advanced by Giles. They believe that conversations are too complex to be reduced simply to these processes. They in addition challenge the notion that peoples accommodation can be explained by just these two practices. For instance, what occurs if people both converge and diverge in conversations Are there consequences for the speaker The listener What influence-if any-does race or ethnicity play in this simultaneous process One might also question whether the theory relies too heavily on a judicious way of communicating. That is, although the theory acknowledges conflict between communicators, it also rests on a reasonable standard of conflict. perchance you have been in confl icts that are downright nasty and with people who have no sense of reason. It appears that the theory ignores this possible dark side of communication.Accommodation theory or interpersonal accommodation theory has sprung from the consciousness that speakers are not merely incumbents (Runciman, 1998) of roles imposed on