Question 1

A good interpretive theory should be aesthetically appealing.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

Describe some of the ethical implications of the interpretive and objective standards that make a good theory.

Accepted Answer

The ethical implications of interpretive and objective standards in theory development are significant.

Interpretive standards in theory development involve the subjective interpretation of data and the researcher's own perspective. This can lead to ethical concerns regarding bias and the potential for researchers to manipulate data to fit their own preconceived notions. It is important for researchers to be transparent about their interpretive process and to acknowledge their own biases in order to maintain ethical standards.

On the other hand, objective standards in theory development aim to minimize bias and subjectivity by relying on empirical evidence and logical reasoning. While this approach can help to ensure the reliability and validity of a theory, it also raises ethical concerns about the potential dehumanization of research subjects and the reduction of complex human experiences to quantifiable data points. Researchers must be mindful of the ethical implications of objectivity and strive to balance the need for empirical evidence with the ethical treatment of research subjects.

Overall, the ethical implications of interpretive and objective standards in theory development highlight the importance of transparency, reflexivity, and a commitment to ethical conduct in research. Researchers must be aware of the potential biases and limitations of their chosen approach and work to mitigate these in order to uphold ethical standards in theory development.

Question 3

A good objective theory is testable. How does this criterion relate to one's belief in God? Is it testable? If so, how? If not, should we cast such a belief aside?

Accepted Answer

The criterion of testability in a good objective theory means that the theory can be tested and verified through empirical evidence. When it comes to one's belief in God, this criterion can be challenging to apply. Belief in God is often based on faith and personal experiences rather than empirical evidence that can be tested in a scientific manner.

While some aspects of religious belief, such as the effects of prayer or the impact of religious practices on well-being, can be studied through scientific methods, the existence of God itself is not something that can be directly tested or proven through empirical evidence. This does not mean that belief in God is invalid or should be cast aside. Many people find meaning, purpose, and comfort in their belief in God, and these personal experiences are important to consider.

Ultimately, the testability criterion may not be applicable to belief in God in the same way it is to scientific theories. Belief in God is a deeply personal and subjective matter, and for many people, it is not contingent on empirical evidence or testability. Instead, it is based on faith, personal experiences, and the teachings of their religious tradition. As such, it is important to respect and acknowledge the validity of these beliefs, even if they do not meet the criteria of testability in the same way that scientific theories do.

Question 4

A good objective theory is testable.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Compare the criteria for evaluating objective and interpretive theories. Do any similarities exist between them?

Accepted Answer

Objective and interpretive theories are

Question 6

When determining how people seek to find out about things, which of the following ways reveals the meanings, relationships, and possibilities that go beyond the information from people's senses and looks at the big picture, trying to grasp the essential patterns?

Accepted Answer

A)  sensing 
B)  intuition 
C)  testing hypotheses 
D)  value clarification 
A)  sensing 
B)  intuition 
C)  testing hypotheses 
D)  value clarification

Question 7

Interpretive theorists are constrained by the standard format for acceptable scientific writing, whereas objective theorists have more room for creativity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Philosopher of science Abraham Kaplan said that:

Accepted Answer

A)  theories predict that a specific type of communication triggers a particular response. 
B)  theory is a way of making sense out of a disturbing situation. 
C)  if there is no way to prove a theory false, then any claim that it's true is hollow. 
D)  the scope of a theory's application and its practical utility are inversely proportional. 
A)  theories predict that a specific type of communication triggers a particular response. 
B)  theory is a way of making sense out of a disturbing situation. 
C)  if there is no way to prove a theory false, then any claim that it's true is hollow. 
D)  the scope of a theory's application and its practical utility are inversely proportional.

Question 9

Which of the following criteria is least applicable to interpretive theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  aesthetic appeal 
B)  ability to generate change 
C)  relative simplicity 
D)  agreement within a community of scholars 
A)  aesthetic appeal 
B)  ability to generate change 
C)  relative simplicity 
D)  agreement within a community of scholars

Question 10

Outline the principal criteria for determining the value of an objective or interpretive theory.

Accepted Answer

The principal criteria for determining t

Question 11

Critical theorists tend to reject any notion of permanent truth or meaning, and they use theory to reveal unjust communication practices that create or perpetuate an imbalance of power.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Griffin presents six criteria for evaluating objective (scientific) theories and interpretive theories. For either objective or interpretive theories (your choice), list the six standards. You don't need to explain them; just list them.

Accepted Answer

For objective theories, the si

Question 13

There is no universally approved model; rhetoricians, critical theorists, and other interpreters repeatedly urge that interpretive theories should accomplish some functions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Krippendorff's self-referential imperative for building theory states that:

Accepted Answer

A)  individuals should unmask unjust communication practices that create gross imbalances of power. 
B)  theorists should attempt to identify communication patterns common to all people. 
C)  theories should explain why people do what they do. 
D)  individuals should include themselves as a constituent of their own construction. 
A)  individuals should unmask unjust communication practices that create gross imbalances of power. 
B)  theorists should attempt to identify communication patterns common to all people. 
C)  theories should explain why people do what they do. 
D)  individuals should include themselves as a constituent of their own construction.

Question 15

Interpretive scholarship is good when it:

Accepted Answer

A)  allows us to predict how humans can interact effectively. 
B)  explains causal relationships in real-world situations. 
C)  offers fresh insight into the human condition. 
D)  separates a theorist's values from an observed phenomenon. 
A)  allows us to predict how humans can interact effectively. 
B)  explains causal relationships in real-world situations. 
C)  offers fresh insight into the human condition. 
D)  separates a theorist's values from an observed phenomenon.

Question 16

The ________ states that given two plausible explanations for the same event, one should accept the less complex version.

Accepted Answer

A)  scope of a theory 
B)  rule of parsimony 
C)  requirement of falsifiability 
D)  criterion of practical utility 
A)  scope of a theory 
B)  rule of parsimony 
C)  requirement of falsifiability 
D)  criterion of practical utility

Question 17

________ is another name for relative simplicity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ is another name for relative simplicity....

Question 18

Prediction differs from value clarification in that the former looks to the future, while the latter examines the past.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

If a researcher tries to establish a cause-and-effect relationship by systematically manipulating one factor, the independent variable, in a tightly controlled situation to learn its effect on another factor, the dependent variable, he or she is conducting a(n):

Accepted Answer

A)  survey. 
B)  experiment. 
C)  textual analysis. 
D)  All of the answers are correct. 
A)  survey. 
B)  experiment. 
C)  textual analysis. 
D)  All of the answers are correct.

Question 20

It is difficult to prove cause-and-effect relationships using the correlation data that surveys yield.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 3: Weighing the Words

A good interpretive theory should be aesthetically appealing.

Describe some of the ethical implications of the interpretive and objective standards that make a good theory.

A good objective theory is testable. How does this criterion relate to one's belief in God? Is it testable? If so, how? If not, should we cast such a belief aside?

A good objective theory is testable.

Compare the criteria for evaluating objective and interpretive theories. Do any similarities exist between them?

When determining how people seek to find out about things, which of the following ways reveals the meanings, relationships, and possibilities that go beyond the information from people's senses and looks at the big picture, trying to grasp the essential patterns?

Interpretive theorists are constrained by the standard format for acceptable scientific writing, whereas objective theorists have more room for creativity.

Philosopher of science Abraham Kaplan said that:

Which of the following criteria is least applicable to interpretive theory?

Outline the principal criteria for determining the value of an objective or interpretive theory.

Critical theorists tend to reject any notion of permanent truth or meaning, and they use theory to reveal unjust communication practices that create or perpetuate an imbalance of power.

Griffin presents six criteria for evaluating objective (scientific) theories and interpretive theories. For either objective or interpretive theories (your choice), list the six standards. You don't need to explain them; just list them.

There is no universally approved model; rhetoricians, critical theorists, and other interpreters repeatedly urge that interpretive theories should accomplish some functions.

Krippendorff's self-referential imperative for building theory states that:

Interpretive scholarship is good when it:

The ________ states that given two plausible explanations for the same event, one should accept the less complex version.

________ is another name for relative simplicity.

Prediction differs from value clarification in that the former looks to the future, while the latter examines the past.

If a researcher tries to establish a cause-and-effect relationship by systematically manipulating one factor, the independent variable, in a tightly controlled situation to learn its effect on another factor, the dependent variable, he or she is conducting a(n):

It is difficult to prove cause-and-effect relationships using the correlation data that surveys yield.

Launching Your Study of Communication Theory

Talk About Theory

Mapping the Territory Seven Traditions in the Field of Communication Theory

Symbolic Interactionism

Coordinated Management of Meaning Cmm

Expectancy Violations Theory

Social Penetration Theory

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Social Information Processing Theory

Relational Dialectics Theory

Communication Privacy Management Theory

Media Multiplexity Theory

Social Judgment Theory

Elaboration Likelihood Model

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making

Symbolic Convergence Theory

Cultural Approach to Organizations

Communicative Constitution of Organizations

Critical Theory of Communication in Organizations

The Rhetoric

Dramatism

Narrative Paradigm

Media Ecology

Semiotics

Cultural Studies

Uses and Gratifications

Cultivation Theory

Agenda-Setting Theory

Genderlect Styles

Standpoint Theory

Muted Group Theory

Communication Accommodation Theory

Face-Negotiation Theory

CC-Cultural Theory

Common Threads in Comm Theories

Filters