EXAM #3 Study Guide

1 page DEFs, 4 short answers, 1 bonus question (can answer by drawing upon Clybourne Park)
WOOD (PG 83-98) Woody from Toy Story

Symbolic interaction: View of communication that

Sees language and communication as actively shaping our experiences of world
Sees communication as a form of action
Recognizes that humans are highly individual actors AND social beings
Each of us is unique, yet we are all members of a common society

Communication and the Development of Selfhood

The self
o Basic nature
Self > Self-concept (Symbolic interactionists prefer)
1) Self-concept literally means concept of self, which implies only cognitive activity;
Self isnt restricted to cognition, but includes behaviors and feelings about self
2) Self-concept seems to suggest a static, relatively unchanging view of self,
generally considered stable; Self is constantly in process, always changing,
becoming
SelfTerm to refer to an individuals ongoing interpretation and organization of
experiences used to direct personal thought and action
Central to human interaction and social life; links individuals and guides our actions
Not 1 aspect of person, but the core of an individualbehaviors, feelings, goals
o

Two Fundamental Ideas regarding Self

1) Self-as-object: The concept where the person expressing an idea is the same
entity as the object to which that idea refers. We can stand outside and look at
ourselves like we would look at any other object. We are both the subjects and the
objects of experience
Monitoring: A process in which we observe and regulate our attitudes and
behaviors and then decide to modify
Often unaware of it, yet makes communication more effective
Possible because we can look at ourselves as objects
Dual perspective: The recognition of someone elses perspective in addition to
your own

Allows us to acknowledge the POV held by others we interact with and

integrate with them to enhance communication
We can stand outside of ourselves to consider another perspective (like
looking at self as object), leads you to reconsider and evaluate

2) Self as I & ME: Two aspects that provide a view of self as both individual actor and
socially conscious reflector
1. I= actor, doer, plans and enacts behaviors (spontaneous, impulsive)
Individual, creative self
2. ME= thinker, evaluator, reflects on Is activities (sensitive to social rules+othrs)
Social, analytical self
I and ME interact to design behavior that meets Is goals but is moderated by
MEs sense of what is appropriate (complementary forces)
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BREN: 1. I= Self-consciousness (aware we exist)
2. ME= Object (aware others see us/react to us)
o
o
o

Intellectual (ideas)
Spiritual (values)
Material (has clothes, things, decorates belongings)
Appearance (hair, body language, design, clothes, shoes)
Possessions (cars, phones, house, location, look)
Associations (Facebook, friends, organizations in)
^Can communicate with non-communication

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Woods 4 propositions about self

1. The Self Arises in Communication with Others infants; others interact with us, tell
us what they think of us; acquire self bc learn by observing how others define us
2. The Self is Constantly in Processreflected appraisalself-image is a reflection of
others appraisals; as interact with others, our views of self alter, evolve, and change,
some gradual some radical (death, marriage, parenthood)
3. The Self Assumes Multiple Roles roles and how play them, see different sides of
self; flexible; 1) Role taking-mental process and 2) Role playing-enacts behaviors
4. The Self is the Anchor for All Judgmentsour rules, experiences, behaviors, allows
us to judge; we are never neutral; lenses through which we interpret world

EWEN (PG 98-119) Ewww money issues

Impact of 19C capitalism on sense of
o Personhood: The idea that there is value in each individual person as opposed to that
persons role in a community
When come to America, changed by consumerism and society
Individual is who you are
But then thought as being American person by buying something
This notion of personal distinctionmarked by consumption of images (Gold
Card)stands at heart of American dream
o Social class
Huge gap between rich and poor
Class position was part of the social relations of power that were emerging
Class identity was not a matter of individual choice, but of positions one inhabits
in relation to the forces of production

 The promise of personal distinction is an essential part of the way of life that is
anxiously pursued by people who are in/wish to be in the great American
middle class
19th C industrialism: Increase in styled goodswhich crossed into lives of
increasing number of peopleprovided upward social mobility
o Definition of American Dream: The notion that each individual has fair access to status
and recognition and can escape common lot; shapes the meaning of American
democracy; left its imprint on the aspirations and discontents of people around the
world
This privileged dream is open to anyone who really wants it and tries hard
enough to get it
The Gold Card (says more about you than anything you buy with it) is 1 step in
right direction
Citizen as consumer
Look at people as consumers
People no longer have personhood, they are simply the buyer of products/what
drives consumption
Consumption as basis for identity
People are judged by what they have vs. what they do/who they are
Continuous offer of personal distinction may indicate an epic crisis of identity
Affluenza: The term used for the disease of having many materials in this capitalist
society, but you feel empty; we live in a throwaway society because of increase in
productions
This psychological illness includes symptoms like lack of motivation, feelings of
guilt, sense of isolation
Populuxe culture: A term used to define the shift in American production and
consumption that took place in the 50s. It was marked by an increase value on
appearance and consumption of products with superficial but recognizable marks of
status
America has always been consumer culture, but there are pitfalls
Give product high class image VS. Ppl had been buying status but now a sharp
increase in Americas ability to make items (buy symbols of affluence) cheaply and
buy cheaply
1. Increased value in design (things looking good, form vs. function) and 2. Notion of
planned obsolescence (buy a car with latest design so ppl are buying more and
more)
Commodity self: Discussing the people as consumers [Citizen as consumer], words
that indicate the extent to which the tension between inner self and outer image has
become a routine fixture in everyday life:
The process of growing up involved adjusting ones individual tensions by
comparing to societys accepted values but still integrate in the business of living
Questions such as Who am I? bc having things was your only identity
Views self as a commodity or object in society

Importance of first impressions, especially in U.S. cities

Consumer capitalism fueled by massive migrations (cheap, continually

replaceable work force)Population: Hopes for a better life
With immigrants, meaning and power of style changed. They learned that
matters of dress and personal appearance were essential for success in the
public world
NYC: Envi that made style an essential look for everyday life
Dress of urban working girls: style resulted in their work position, judged largely
by clothes not by books or house, income goes into clothing
Needed to look good for job interview or school acceptance
Struggle between cultures: Jew or American? Family or country obligations?
Style and personality occur to protect ones inner self
Americans notion of themselves has been a shift from Character to Personality
Character: The core of who a person is
Personality: An aspect of people which they constantly express in symbols (dress,
gestures, and possessions) vs. words

WILLIAMS (PG 119-136) Will I Am

Genres of discourse [legal writing] assumes

1. That people can and should write and speak in a manner that is completely
detached from who they are
2. That the world can be divided into distinct categories (public/private, black/white)
3. That universal legal truths and procedures can be found and should be applied to
any context at any time
Subject position and voice
Subject position: The variables that inform your perception and action at any given time
(You can think of self as I or Me) What is it that is informing what you are
speaking now?
In certain types of writing, this (who you are) is not supposed to be revealed or
acknowledged. This writing has some value but she critics it mostly
Voice: Public articulation or the ability to articulate ideas and feelings in a public manner
Relates to Bechdel test
Women should have voice in all sorts of things. Diminishes their voice
Theoretical legal understanding/language: characterized by 3 features of [legal]
thought and rhetoric
1. The hypostatization [creation] of exclusive categories and definitional polarities, the
drawing of bright lines and clear taxonomies that purport to make life simpler in the
face of complication (rights/needs, moral/immoral, public/private, black/white)
2. The existence of transcendent, acontextual, universal legal truths; disparage
anything that is nontrascendent, contextual, nonuniversal or just not true
3. The existence of objective voices by which those transcendent, universal truths find
their expression (judges/lawyers/logicians, real people having real experiences)
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BREN:

Signifier= external thing that represents another concept (words, symbol, objects, and artifacts)
EX: Wedding Ring (Signifies one is taken, bound to another)
Floating= unstable, up in the air
Floating signifier= An external thing that represents another concept whose meaning varies a lot
(Different people hold different views at the same time)
Hoodies (People view as a mugger)
Confederate Flag (Southerners view as pride, others see as racism, Man saw as cool
decoration for his car)
Nuns (Anything from religious to slutty to cruel)
N-word (Friendly greeting for some, racist to others; depends on who says it and under
what context)
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LEWIS (PG 137-158) Louis and Clark Story

Reagans Use of Narrative Form

Narrative Form: The telling or departing of information through a story structure/format
that has a beginning, middle, and end. Its usually a chronological process where
something leads to something else
Purpose of this essay: Account for the distinction between a rational and a
narrative perspective-reasoning through syllogisms or enthymemes
Within narrative, there are enthymemes though
Two Types of Narrative
1. Anecdote: A type of narrative that defines characters and illustrates and makes his
policies/ideas more vivid; quick stories, jokes, or incidents that are verbal counterpart
of the visual image; simple story that carries a clear message to those whose
experience leads them to accept story as true or as true to life and whose values
lead them to accept the moral
2. Myth: A type of narrative that structures his message; informs all of his rhetoric; any
anonymously composed story telling of origins and destinies of Americans; simple
and familiar story thats widely taught and believed; not exactly true but not exactly
fiction; provides a sense of importance and direction and it provides a communal
focus for individual identity

Role of The Audience [in the Story]

Each is encourage to see themselves as a central actor in Americas quest for
freedom. The direction and outcome of the American story depends on you
Proper action makes the audience member a hero; Improper= Am. declines
Real heroes = ordinary people and workers who contribute to Ams goals
American heroism to Reagan = primarily economickey is effective action in
the ongoing struggle to achieve freedom and prosperity
See audience members as Americans vs. members of different political parties

Character of speaker [narrator?]

Reagan in the Story:

Plays 2 roles that encompass critics perspectives
1) As a character in the story hes a mythic hero
o Compassionate, committed political outside
o The active force that helps right the wrongs and gets things
moving again
[Critic of character (actor) only if constructing fictional persona]
2) As the narrator of the storyhe presents nature of the situation
o Theres no threat in his style of realistic narration
o Simply presents things as they are

Consequences of Reagans Use of Narrative Form:

Distinction between narrative and rational forms of consciousness is wellgrounded in literature of narrative theory
Narrative: Distinctive and important means of giving meaning to events
QWith what kind of meaning does story-ing endow political events?
ANarrative is a fundamental form of human understanding that directs
perception, judgment and knowledge
Reagan= support and opposition
His exclusive reliance on stories has dominated the realm of political judgment
The story is the primary basis for defining the situation
Morality is the primary basis for justifying public policy
Common sense is the primary basis for analyzing political issues

Narrative Truth: The notion that stories appropriateness to political discourse depends
upon their consistency with the historical world of the audience. If the story is not true, it
must be true to life. If it did not actually happen, it must be evident that it could or should
have
Assumes a type of knowledge that differs from the knowledge produces within
and sanctioned by rational argument (Narrative requires audiences common sense)
Structural characteristics of stories become more central to judgment:
1. If facts or documentary evidence are absent
2. If a collection of facts or evidence is subject to competing interpretations
Even the most obviously fantastic stories make a claim to truth for the order that
they impose on a chaotic world. Events become meaningful in stories so
significance of events in story are crucial
Complex form of narrative makes isolated events and individual statements
meaningful
Narrative credibility or powerboth substantive and formal properties
The basis for accepting the referential value of Reagans stories is not empirical
justification, but consistency with the moral standard and common sense of his
audience

Moral Argument: Used to distinguish the form of public argument most suited to
narrative

 Nature of Narrative Form is said to be moral because stories make events

intelligible by imposing a temporal order that leads to some end that defines the
moral frame of the story and because the nature of characters and events in the
story will be defined with reference to that purpose
Reagans moral focus has worked well because the shift of emphasis on goals
VS. problems or implementation AND ends rather than means pre-empts
arguments about practicality
Whatever story (especially historical narratives) is told will provide a moral
direction

Common Sense: A culturally defined set of rules and expectations used to make sense
out of situations and events; knowledge that is shared by the community; Narrative is the
basic medium of common sense
There are simple answers just not easy ones (require will and courage)

Consequences for Policy: Incommensurable Frames:

Any discourse can be described different with competing NOT contradictory
accounts
Different auditors may respond different to same message because different
standards
Hard to compare narrative and rational truths with one another because kind of
evidence clashes.
POV of rational world paradigm: story should be true so used for evidence; vivid
enough to illustrate problem or possible solution; stories dont carry knowledge to
solve problem
POV or narrative paradigm: should be a good story judged by fit with audiences
experience and morality; expresses what one really needs to know to get by in
world

Impact on audience and public policy: STUFF HERE

The narrative offers a special kind of identification to Reagans audience because
encouraged to be seen as actor in America quest for freedom

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BREN:
Gender & communication 3 levels of analysis
1) Linguistic (Language)
Language you use influences how you perceive things
Marking: Mr./Mister vs. Mrs. Miss. Ms. (Feminists came up with Ms.)
(Man doesnt need to be specified as married)
Blondie/Red-head (always assume they are girls)

Foods and tastes=sweetie, honey, cupcake (refer to girls with food)

Diminution: ess and ette make things smaller, less important
Actor vs. Actress. Waiter vs. Waitress. Poet vs. Poetess. Major vs. Majorette
False neutral: Chairman vs. Chairperson
(Often give the unisex word in form of MAN, HEChairman/Actor)
Doctor= he. Nurse= she
God= he or she? Father or mother? (Big debate)
False equivalents: Men vs. Ladies (never says Women on bathrooms)
(Occupation assumptions: Rambler vs. Lady Rambler. Doctor and Lady Doctor.
Pilots and their wives)
Metaphors/nicknames: Bachelor vs. Old Maid/Spinster
Player vs. Slut
Boy nicknames= sissy, mamas boys, fag, girl (given a bad name
Because you are a girl, not masculine enough; reveals an
Inequality, worst thing man could do is be a girl)
Girl nicknames= stuck-up, bossy (worst thing girl could do is
Assert herself, be different, smart, or powerful)
Variable evolution:
King vs. Queen (drag Queen)
Master vs. Mistress (slut, adulteress)
Sir vs. Madam (prostitutes)
Lord vs. Lady (tramp)
Every female term has taken on a sexual meaning

2) Interactional (Interaction)
Seen with a phone call home. Talk to dad quickly whereas Mother asks and tells all
the details/connecting to/views as interaction
Interaction patterns: Tannens orientation to communication (men and women
use communication differently)
Male:
Report- goal oriented, more closed and direct, get to main points, view as
utilitarian
To compete- talk through winning, playing better
Female:
Rapport- listen and create a relationship, interact more, self-expose
To collaborate/strive for symmetry- sit and talk, play house when little and all
can be Cinderella

3) Representational (Representation)
Can be seen through gender in films
Smurfette Principle: Smurf vs. Smurfette (Her job was to be a girl)
Bechdel Test
1) Is there more than one named women in the film?
2) If there is, do they ever talk to one another?
3) If they do, do they talk about anything other than men?
How are men and women represented in mass media, video games, plays, operas,
popular culture?
Generic roles are assumed to be men
Women are just supposed to be women unless they are the main characters
Ethics and Communication
o Ethics: The study and practice of moral reasoning
Different than law, custom, manners
o Inherent connection [to communicate it to make an ethical decision]:
Stakeholders: People who have an interest or concern in something, especially a
business; Denoting a type of organization or system in which all the members or
participants are seen as having an interest in its success; One who can be affected by
the actions of the corporate business as a whole
People/places that will be affected by your decisions. Helps allow you to be ethical in
your thinking
EX: If you use a fake ID to go into bar, who will be affected?
You, people your with, person who gave ID, the bar (business)
o Variables: An element, feature, or factor that is liable to vary or change
o Constraints: A limitation or restriction; In business, constraint optimization is known as
the process of optimizing an objective function with respect to some variables in the
presence of constraints on those variables
The consequences of actions: the law, the morals, the punishment
o Frameworks of moral decision-making
1) The Rights Approach
Every human being has dignity and is worthy of respect. Human dignity gives rise to
fundamental moral rights
Rights are legitimate claims persons have on others and our society. There are two
kinds:
1. Claims that protect human freedom (EX: the right to free speech)
2. Claims that entitle a person to what is necessary for a minimum level of wellbeing (EX: the right to food)
Both impose on others to protect these freedoms and rights
An action or policy is ethical if it protects or advances moral rights.
o

2) The Fairness or Justice Approach

Focuses on how fairly or unfairly our actions distribute benefits and burdens among
the people in groups
Benefits and burdens may be distributed based on what a person needs, deserves,
contributes (may be distributed equally to all)

In distributing benefits and burdens, treat people the same unless there are morally
relevant differences between them.

3) The Utilitarian Approach

Focuses on the consequences that actions or policies have on the well-being
of the ppl directly or indirectly affected by the action or policy
Of any two actions, the more ethical one will produce the greatest balance of
benefits over harms.
4) The Virtue Approach
Focuses on attitudes or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways
that develop our human potential
EX: Compassion, honesty, courage, faithfulness, trustworthiness, integrity
What is ethical is what develops moral virtues.
5) The Humane Community Approach
Presents a vision of society as a community whose members are joined in the
shared pursuit of common values and goals
This community is comprised of individuals whose own good is bound to the
good of the whole
What is ethical is what advances the common good.

MORE Ethical Issues and Communication Behavior

I.
Repression Restrictions on human interaction; acts or expressed attitudes that
prevent or make interactions with ppl extremely difficult
A. A dominant culture repressing a subordinate
1. MaleFemale (ignoring relegating)
2. WhiteBlack, Latino, Asian (different language, nonverbal norms)
3. HeterosexualHomosexuals (forbidden topics)
4. TeacherStudent (punishing contrary views)
5. BossEmployee (punishing disagreement, flattery)
6. The degree of homogeneity in news and entertainment broadcasting
(dominant narratives or scripts)
B. Repression of certain alliances/friendships
1. Gossip
2. Badmouthing (hes so retarded)
3. Labeling; prejudicial remarks
C. Censorship
II.
Intrusion Inappropriate gathering/distribution of private information; imposing
unwelcome/unsolicited communication
A. Invasion of Privacy (inappropriate questions, mandating self-disclosure)
B. Symbolic battery (verbal abuse)
C. Objectionable sights and sounds (loud radio playing)

D. Whistle-blowing (calling out deception in a company, making it public)

III.

Conditioning= Molding other peoples behavior; getting them to believe feel/do

what they might not without exposure to the persuasive message
A. Persuasive Speeches and other messages
1. Ambiguous words/images
2. Inflammatory words/images
3. Premises (vague, implied)
4. Blame/praise (prejudicial statements)
B. Disguised Persuasion
1. Public relations
2. Entertainment
3. Institutional Indoctrination (corporate culture)
4. Flattery
5. Jargon
C. Lying/Withholding information/Casuistic stretching
1. Private
2. Public (government secrecy, disinformation)
D. Ghost-Writing (Plagiarism of sentences to whole works)
1. Lifted papers
2. Using someone elses text (speaker, reporter, politician)

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