Understanding Human Communication

by Ronald B. Adler, George Rodman

Now in its tenth edition, Understanding Human Communication continues to build on the widely successful approach--a sophisticated balance of theory and skills--that has captivated more than a half million students and their professors. The best-selling introductory communication book in the
field, this classic text has been enriched and streamlined to reflect the latest research developments and to meet the evolving needs of students. It begins with an introduction to the basic elements of communication, providing students with a solid understanding of perception, language, listening,
and nonverbal communication. Next, the book guides them through lively sections on interpersonal communication, small group communication, and public address.

Esteemed authors Ronald B. Adler and George Rodman speak to students in language that is both engaging and accessible, offering numerous examples that clearly illustrate concepts in real-life scenarios. Throughout, they draw from the latest media, culture, technology, and scholarship to create a
distinctive pedagogy that gives students the tools they need to master--and enjoy--this intriguing and relevant subject.

With its striking visual presentation, comprehensive classroom supplements, and dedicated student-focused pedagogy, Understanding Human Communication continues to enliven classrooms and equip students with effective communication skills that will make a difference in their everyday lives.

New to the tenth

* "Media Room" boxes analyze examples from popular films and television shows, in order to illustrate important communication concepts, from drama ( Grey's Anatomy ) to comedy ( Little Miss Sunshine ) to documentary ( An Inconvenient Truth ).

* "Understanding Diversity" and "Understanding Technology" boxes incorporate new, incisive examples that convey key ideas.

* New and updated coverage of culture and technology is integrated throughout.

* Thought-provoking Case Studies now wrap up each unit, presenting real-life communication challenges that students might encounter on the job, in school, and in personal relationships.

* All-new Sample Speeches include full outlines and commentary from students and the authors.

* The Interviewing Appendix now addresses the needs of students entering the workforce, featuring pre-interview strategies, examples of questions that potential employers may and may not legally ask, and behavioral interviews.

The text is accompanied by a Student Success Manual, an Instructor's Manual and Test Bank, a comprehensive companion website at www.oup.com/us/uhc10, and Now Playing , a vibrant resource (available both online and in print) that examines contemporary films through the lens of communication
principles.

Genres: Textbooks, Psychology, Nonfiction, School, Communication, Read For School, College

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Ronald Brian Adler

Reviews

[Jessica Gleason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting updates. The new chapters are useful. Lacks real world readings/articles which could help students apply concepts. I wish it also had better activities.

[Spencer Hubert · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was extremely frustrating to read. Almost all of its content everyone knows by the age of 14, but because the book spends chapters and chapters putting in into words to whose benefit I do not know (aliens?), it tricks the reader into thinking they're learning new concepts or skills. While in addition, just constantly throughout the book, every other paragraph, the extremely annoying author HAS to throw in another political jab. And the thing is: college students eat this stuff up. It's literally a tool for brainwashing.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son’s speech class text
Comprehensive and well written I liked the connection to Chapman, as I was previously familiar with his work
Activities are connected to the material well and further exploration is available at the website
The format design was colorful, text format changing appropriately as well
Summaries are brief, key terms pretty direct

[Angela]

Ronald B. Adler has been groundbreaking in the field of communications since his 1965 edition. I took a course in 1989 in college that studied his insights, and it has been a benefit to my personal and professional life ever since.

[Alexann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but incredibly redundant in my opinion. I ended up not reading the last chapters, opting for my teacher’s powerpoint explanations instead which were more organized and went straight to the point.

[Shaydy · Rating 2 out of 5]

At times this is a self-help book with valuable mementos; at others, it puts names to phenomenon most people have experienced since youth and don’t necessarily benefit from hearing explained in textbook (albeit accessible textbook) format.

[Rain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dry boring... but required reading for college speech class.

[Acenith Claassen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tends to contradict its own text quite a bit with regard to sex and gender. Quizzes in each chapter put people into categories that simply cannot be accurate based on 4 or 5 questions.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many typos, but I learned a lot from the actual content.

[Nicholas Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough

[Maya Lane DeGala Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book determines whether you are a good human being with interpersonal communication terms!

[Haytham Badawey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on human communication, it has the cutting edge for the art and science of human communication. The terminology, the concepts, processes, skills and abilities; everything is explained in fine details and very well presented and summarized in this book.

Other books in the field are just a trial for imitating and copying this book, I read the 3th edition, and I use it as a reference!

I completely recommend it!

[Magali Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fun read--it was a textbook for a class lol, but for the most part very educational. There were several things about the LGBTQ+ that were either blatantly wrong or just mostly wrong. It was nice to see the effort but it's really frustrating when it might be some people's only knowledge on certain aspects of the community. Most of the issues I found were with the gender side of things or just using sexuality, sex, and gender interchangeably at times.

[Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

2004 wrote: Required Read for Fundamentals of Speech and Communication. I resolve I will never understand human communication, nor will anyone, for as soon as it is studied, it will evolve into something else. If too many know it's secrets, the tricks are gone. The gig is up.

[Jonathan]

None

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a 1st year University class. I remember using it again in other years as it was very informative to my studies as a Communications student

[Miriam Dyck · Rating 3 out of 5]

It did its job. It got me through my course and it was very well organized. For all intense and purposes it was fine but nothing to read for fun

[Melonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book must be good, since I was on the re-editing team ;-)

[Issa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It definitely exceeded my expectations!