First Look at Communication Theory: 2026 Release ISE

Em Griffin received his B.A. in political science from the University of Michigan, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication from Northwestern University. He is professor of communication at Wheaton College in Illinois, where he has taught for the past 26 years and has been chosen Teacher of the Year. His research interest centers on the development of close friendships. Dr. Griffin is the author of three applied communication books: The Mind Changers analyzes practical techniques of persuasion; Getting Together offers research-based suggestions for effective group leadership; and Making Friends describes the way that quality interpersonal communication can build close relationships. He also leads workshops on these topics in the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States. Andrew Ledbetter received his M.A. and Ph.D. in communication studies from the University of Kansas. He is associate professor of communication studies at Texas Christian University. His research addresses how people use communication technology to maintain their interpersonal relationships. A related interest concerns how parent–child communication predicts health and well-being. Dr. Ledbetter has published more than 35 articles and received recognition for teaching excellence from both the National Communication Association and Central States Communication Association. Glenn Sparks received his Ph.D. in communication arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is a professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University in Indiana, where he has taught for 28 years. His research focuses on the effects of media. Dr. Sparks is the author of Media Effects Research: A Basic Overview and a personal memoir, Rolling in Dough: Lessons I Learned in a Doughnut Shop; he is co-author of Refrigerator Rights: Our Crucial Need for Close Connection. Jenna LaFreniere is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Texas Tech University. She received her M.S. in Communication Studies from Texas Christian University and her Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Denver. Her research examines the lasting impacts of family communication on young adult children, exploring such topics as emotion regulation, conflict, and divorce. Jenna has been recognized for her excellence in teaching, research, and commitment to student success. She and her husband John enjoy an adventurous life of traveling, visiting national parks, serving at church, and competing in trivia nights.

• Division One: Overview1: Launching Your Study2: Talk About Theory3: Weighing the Words4: Mapping the TerritoryDivision Two: Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal Messages5: Symbolic Interactionism6: Expectancy Violations Theory7: Family Communication Patterns TheoryRelationship Development8: Social Penetration Theory9: Uncertainty Reduction Theory10: Social Information Processing TheoryRelationship Maintenance11: Relational Dialectics Theory12: Communication Privacy Management Theory13: Media Multiplexity TheoryDivision Three: Social Influence Persuasion14: Social Judgment Theory15: Elaboration Likelihood Model16: Cognitive Dissonance TheoryPublic Rhetoric17: The Rhetoric18: Dramatism19: Narrative ParadigmDivision Four: Group and Organizational CommunicationGroup Communication20: Functional Perspective on Group Decision-Making21: Symbolic Convergence TheoryOrganizational Communication22: Cultural Approach to Organizations23: Communicative Constitution of Organizations24: Critical Theory of Communication in OrganizationsDivision Five: Cultural ContextIntercultural Communication25: Communication Accommodation Theory26: Face-Negotiation Theory27: Co-Cultural Theory28: Afrocentricity Gender and Communication29: Feminist Standpoint Theory30: Muted Group TheoryDivision Six: Mass CommunicationMedia and Culture31: Media Ecology32: Context Collapse33: Semiotics34: Cultural StudiesMedia Effects35: Uses and Gratifications36: Cultivation Theory37: Agenda-Setting TheoryDivision Seven: Integration38: Common Threads in Comm Theories