Communication Theory (COMM 1302)

Exam I

Types of questions: Identification, multiple choice, matching (theories and theorists) & true/false (50-55 Questions)

Areas: Chapters 1, 2, and 3 (What's covered in class/lectures only. No optional theories)

Important Notes:
-All students must have a reservation prior to entering the labs/CASA-CBB. The link to the Online Scheduler is: http://www.casa.uh.edu/
-You will have actually up to 50 minutes to complete the entire test.
-You will use a lockdown browser.
-Test questions will be randomized (e.g., order, type).
-You are expected to bring nothing but yourself to the CASA-CBB (e.g., no phone).
-Anyone who violates CASA-CBB policies will receive F for the course!
- If you need to take the test early for an emergency/important reason, please arrange it with me.

Keys to a successful, high scoring test preparation:
-Print out all the PowerPoint files for Chs. 1, 2, & 3 and go over/read through them a few times! Listen to lectures when not sure about a point.
-Need to study all three chapters. All individual focus items in each chapter will have a corresponding question or two. Your online testing program will choose randomly 50-55 questions, proportional to each chapter.
-Need to memorize theories and theorists, especially bold-faced ones. You will see 5-6 theory-theorist matching questions (out of 10 matches or so).
-Do a group study. Ask each other possible exam questions.
-Come to a Review Session. If you can't make it, ask a friend/classmate to take detailed notes for you.
-Visit with me (COM-143) about any issues and concerns regarding course materials for the test.

Focuses
Ch. 1
-Why study communication theories?
-Notions of variable, constant, concept, theory, hypothesis
-Foundations of theory - (observation, analysis, generalization, prediction)
-Criteria of a sound theory (explains, predicts, controls, useful, parsimonious, etc.)
-Types of variable - discrete vs. continuous; independent vs. dependent; moderating, mediating, confounding
-Relationships between variables - positive/negative, linear/nonlinear, curvilinear, correlation, causation
-Types of models - taxonomies, graphic, mathematical
-General communication contexts - personal, interpersonal, group/team, organizational, societal/mediated

Ch. 2
-Conceptual components in communication (i.e., symbols/verbal/speech, understanding, etc.)
-Notion of communication as process
-Action, interaction, and transactional model
-Notions of encoding, decoding; characteristics of message (definitions, intent, functions)
-Media richness theory -Daft & Lengel; 5 criteria used to define richness and an overall claim, richness hierarchy, Lee & Heath’s hypothesis and findings (IVs & DVs)
-Feedback (Cybernetic notion - goal accomplishment); types of noise (e.g., psychological), types of context (e.g., social)
-Afrocentric view and Asiacentric view; East Asian vs. West Orientations
-Influence of wars (WWI & II) on communication inquiries (i.e., propaganda, public opinion, etc.)
-Study of communication today (diverse, eclectic, multi-disciplinary)

Ch. 3
-Notions of language, sign, signals, symbols, langue vs. parole, isomorphism, denotative vs. connotative meaning, regulative vs. constitutive rules
-Nature of meaning (response, relationship between thoughts and the objects of thought, impact on perceptions and actions, rule-bound)
-Referential theory - Ogden & Richards; basic premises, triangle of meaning (symbol, referent, reference; their causal/indirect relationships), predictions, major conclusions; IVs & DVs

-Representational theory of