A First Look at Communication Theory

by Em Griffin

The most widely-used textbook for the communication theory course, "A First Look at Communication Theory" analyzes the major communication theories at a level that is appropriate for both lower- and upper-level courses. The theories represented in the text reflect a mix of foundational and recent scholarship and strike a balance of scientific and interpretive approaches.

Genres: Communication, Nonfiction, School, Textbooks, Academic, Reference, Psychology

Paperback

Published January 1, 1994

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Jennifer]

This book is revolutionary. I might be biased becuase I actually had Em as a Communication Theory professor, but who better to teach the theories than the author of the book? He definitely ensured that Communication Theory was not a blow-off, fluff course, and that the students took away life-long lessons.

[Monica]

An incredible look into communication theory. Clear, precise, practical. An excellent read for anyone interested in communication and its function in our lives.

[Riham Ibrahim]

It's a must read book for anyone who wants to know about communication theory and how this discipline functions.

[Leah Jones]

This was the textbook for my Communication perspectives course. I thought it was very well written and did a good job of explaining the different theories in a clear and concise manner.

[Allyson]

I used this textbook to teach an undergrad Principals and Theories of Communication class. I'd recommend this textbook to fellow professors. I think the authors do a good job of breaking down complex communication theories in layman's terms. I found the supplemental online instructor resources to the textbook helpful as well. My only criticism is that I wish the authors provided more examples of how the theories are presented in real life.

[Sarah Spacek]

this was a classic textbook and, frankly, a struggle to read. That said, I can't stop thinking about the content. I've almost had my family ship it to me multiple times because I want to study theory again... don't know what that says about the book but it says something haha

[Tim]

Really cool read that I’ve dove into over the past few months. It really changed how I viewed various communication styles. Not only the style but how they are in my life as well.

I have enjoyed my study of it.

[Emily]

This book manages to make communication theories very interesting, even for people like me that come into this book thinking they will be bored.

[Sarah]

Textbook for class 😂🤷🏼‍♀️

[Catherine Bruzdzinski]

Easy read and guide when studying or teaching Communication theory.

[Becca]

idk, It's a textbook. It was ok.

[Fresaaa]

classic book

[slumpeer]

A better textbook that I’ve read as it actually teaches you the basics and is interesting, but it doesn’t go into anything needed for class outside the basic. I find the extra info just… unnecessary

[Sarah Morris]

Very long and confusing

[Micah Miranda]

This book does a really good job of explaining and illustrating the communication theories within. It also reports back the criticisms of the theories and offers a well-rounded discussion on the implications of the theories to culture and everyday life.

[Gholam Reza Azari , Ph.D.]

This text presents 34 communication theories, from classic to new work, based on one chapter per theory. Extended examples are used to explain each theory, which should help students understand theories by applying their explanations and predictions to real-life situations. Ethics are covered in a special chapter and throughout the text, helping students to focus on the ethical implications of communication theories. Each chapter concludes with a critique of the theory, summarizing its strengths and weaknesses and raising critical questions to encourage analysis and give students an appreciation of the on-going process of communication research. Cartoons are also included to illustrate important concepts. Chapter One provides criteria for determining what makes a communication theory good, encouraging critical thinking from the start. This edition features a new chapter on the history of the communication discipline and a chapter that explains and illustrates two different approaches to communication research and theory: social scientific and humanistic. Totally new sections on intercultural communication and gender communication are also included. Ten new theories are presented, including William Gudykunst's anxiety/uncertainty management theory, Stella Ting-Toomey's face-negotiation theory and Deborah Tannen's genderlect styles.

[Alejandro Teruel]

A wonderful, clear and witty introduction to Communication Theory.

Griffin cleverly provides a scientic or humanist perspective continuum on which he proceeds to place different approaches to communication theory.

He also manages to include a very apt and usually very funny cartoon to illustrate a major point of each theory.

The book covers a lot of ground including theories about communication and verbal messages, nonverbal messages, cognitive processing, relationship development, relationship maintenance, group decision making, organizational communication, public rhetoric, media and culture, media effects, intercultural communications and gender.

I read the third edition of the book (published in 1997) and am looking forward to reading the new eighth edition (published in 2012).

[Emma M.]

There were moments that were difficult to follow but that could just be the individual theories themselves. Overall I think Griffin did a fantastic job writing about the various theories. His examples and the way he incorporated films really added to my understanding. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn the basics of some of the more popular communication theories.

[Seth Pierce]

Great introductory textbook. A lot to digest reading it straight through, but I found it very helpful and simulating. Well written, punctuated by cartoons from The New Yorker, and full of additional multimedia resources, I highly recommend this for anyone stepping into the communications discipline. Though I must admit one of the feminist theories bothered me--I suppose because I'm a man ;)

[Zakaria Bziker]

If you are a communication studies student, then you can do without this book. Does not encompasses all theories out there in the field of communication but captures the prominent ones. An easy to read book that goes from simple to complex thoughts. I feel though there are other theories that are neglected by this book that have an equal weight to the theories enclosed in the book.

[Mia Claire]

Griffin explains the theories in simple language with helpful examples. Good for learning the basic communication theories of organizational communciation, mass communication, interpersonal communication, and small-group communication.

[Kali Yuga]

the book we used back in college. i would never admit this before but i really enjoyed that class, Communication Theories, not a lot people share the same sentiment. it enabled and tolerated my OCD and analytical tendencies.

[Nulur]

complete!

[Dr. Dena]

Excellent + trusted primer for a survey of comm theories.

[Jesse Booth]

Required textbook for a class I took for Spring semester. Some good theories inside, but alas, there were some that I completely disagreed with.

[Kathryn]

For my communication nerdiness.
Loved this book.

[Eva Hough]

I just read parts of it for research for Interpersonal Communication at University. I had a group presentation and we had to research Communication Accommodation Theory

[angela]

Accompanied with sleepless nights, too much coffee, and palpitating anxiety in my research szn.

[Cecily Robertson]

Would never read it again, but some of the chapters were interesting.

[Kristen]

I had to read this book for a university class and I hated it. as simple as that!