50 Ways to Understand Communication: A Guided Tour of Key Ideas and Theorists in Communication, Media, and Culture

by Arthur Asa Berger

Is consciousness like an iceberg? Does advertising lead to the commodification of humans? What is the hidden meaning of fairy tales? In 50 Ways to Understand Communication , Arthur Asa Berger familiarizes readers with important concepts written by leading communication and cultural theorists, such as Saussure, Lévi-Strauss, de Certeau, Lasswell, McLuhan, Postman, and many others. Organized in fifty short segments, this concise guide covers a wide range of important ideas from psychoanalysis and semiology to humor, "otherness," and nonverbal communication. Berger's clear explanations and examples surround this assortment of influential writing, walking the uninitiated through these sometimes dense theoretical works. His selections and commentary will challenge readers to reconsider the role of communication in our culture. This engaging, accessible book is essential for students of communication and anyone interested in how we communicate in a world of rapidly changing media.

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Stan · Rating 3 out of 5]

50 Ways to Understand Communication is an introduction to key ideas and theorists in the fields of Communication, Media, and Culture - as the title states. The book features a series of quotes from various theorists followed by an explanation by Arthur Asa Berger. Sadly, sometimes the author's comments add nothing. As an overview of key ideas and an introduction to various theorists the book achieves the author's objectives.

As I recently took an interest in communication theory I picked this book up. I think "50 Ways to Understand Communication" is a bit misleading. The book does not include 50 key ideas nor fifty theories of communication, nor twenty-five of each. There are fifty entries in the book. But, several times previous entries are referenced. At times one perceives nuances of previous material. So, I was a little let down that there was a degree of overlap.

What did I gain from reading this book? Plenty! Or primary importance, a collection of source document quotations with a hefty bibliography for further study!

The book spans the ages in a quest to present communication theory. It also spans much of the Western hemisphere. A wide array of voices speak into how one understands communication (linguistics, anthropology, social science, psychoanalysis, etc.). And, when the discussion turns to mass media (a bit dated) some of the concerns expressed about the influence of television are alarming. Fast forward to today's social media and the concerns increase. Very interesting, as well, are the discussions of various art forms as communication.

What I wish had been included is a little on rhetoric and persuasion. That seems to be assumed but is never really addressed.

Overall, it is a good, albeit dated, introduction to communication theory.

[Rayiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concepts, but it’s pretty outdated