Description
Book SynopsisThis text remains the only introductory communication book to explore fundamental concepts, theories and skills aimed at helping readers to apply material to their personal and professional lives – with a thematic integration of the relational perspective and a focus on demonstrating its direct relevance to their own everyday communication. Readers develop a strong foundation in communication concepts, theory and research, as well as practical communication skills such as listening, critical thinking, using technology to communicate, understanding nonverbal communication, creating persuasive strategies and managing group conflict.
Trade Review"The easy-to-read, conversational style of the writing, which has carried over from the first edition…has been very well-received by our students." -- Martha Antolik
"I still believe this is one of the best textbooks for an introduction to communication class!!!"
-- Donna L. Halper
"Clear, clean, interesting and practical – an enjoyable, intellectual read across every chapter. Duck and McMahan do a wonderful job of incorporating the fundamentals/core research, theories, and perspectives of the discipline with clarity, accessibility, and creative applications to the personal and social lives of our students. This text is more than an introduction to our discipline and its subsumed areas of specialization (i.e., health, org, family/interpersonal, media); it is a great starting point for framing one’s thinking for a career of communication theory and research scholarship and practice. There is no other text that better addresses the everyday communication that creates and recreates our personal and relational identities across a variety of contexts. "
-- Christine E. Rittenour * West Virginia University *
"Duck and McMahan’s text is an excellent book for the undergraduate introductory course surveying the discipline of communication studies. The writing style and level of presentation are appropriate for the undergraduate audience."
-- Natalia Rybas
"Incredibly relevant easy to use starter text"
-- Tracy Schorle
"Communication in Everyday Life is an excellent textbook for first year students in communication disciplines. It provides students with an understanding of how communication processes work and play and how it is important to use communication skills depending of different context or scenarios. The book includes practical exercises and challenging questions suitable for the networked society we currently live in." -- Lina Gomez
"This text provides depth and breadth of information for new COMM scholars. It provides relevant thought-pieces that could create valuable class discussion tied to course concepts. "
-- Carla J. Harrell
"I think it’s a great text for an introductory course. It is accessible, easy to read, and complete. "
-- Vicki L. Karns
Table of ContentsPreface A Personal Note to Readers Acknowledgments About the Authors PART I. COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONS Chapter 1 An Overview of Communication Everyday Communication and the Relational Perspective What Is Communication? Communication Is Symbolic Communication Requires Meaning Communication Is Cultural Communication Is Relational Communication Involves Frames Communication Is Both Presentational and Representational Communication Is a Transaction Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 2 Histories and Contexts of Communication The Challenges of Writing History The Development of a Discipline The Emergence of Areas of Study Coming Together (Kind of) as Communication Studies Future of Communication and the Relational Perspective Methods of Studying Communication Social Scientific Approach Interpretivist Approach Critical Approach Improving Communication Studies Through the Relational Perspective Where Next? Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections PART II. COMMUNICATION SKILLS Chapter 3 Identities, Perceptions, and Communication Do People Have Core Selves? Identities and Perceptions Identities and Communication Transacting Identity and Other People Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 4 Verbal Communication How Is Verbal Communication Symbolic? Verbal Communication Involves Meaning Verbal Communication Is Relational Verbal Communication Is Cultural Verbal Communication and Frames Verbal Communication Is Presentational Functions of Verbal Communication Relationships and Everyday Talk Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 5 Nonverbal Communication Misconceptions About Nonverbal Communication What Is Nonverbal Communication? The Functions of Nonverbal Communication Types of Nonverbal Communication Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 6 Culture and Communication How Can Culture Be Identified and Studied? Structure-Based Cultural Characteristics Transacting Culture Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 7 Listening Why Is Listening Important? Active Listening Engaged and Relational Listening Critical Listening Recognizing and Overcoming Listening Obstacles Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections PART III. COMMUNICATION CONTEXTS Chapter 8 Personal Relationships What Are Personal Relationships? Benefits of Personal Relationships Initiating Relationships: The Relationship Filtering Model Transacting and Maintaining Personal Relationships Coming Apart Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 9 Family Communication Families as . . . Change and Development in Family Processes Families Communicate! Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 10 Groups and Leaders What Is a Group? Characteristics of Groups Group Development and Decision Making Group Decision Making Is About Relationships Leadership Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 11 Communication in the Workplace Learning About the Workplace Going to Work: The Workplace as a Special Frame The Workplace as a Culture The Workplace as Relationships Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 12 Health Communication Patient and Provider Relationships Social Networks and Health Media, Technology, and Health Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 13 Technology and Media in Everyday Life Perceptions of Technology and Media The Relational Uses of Technology and Media Smartphones: Constructing Identities and Relationships Constructing Identities and Maintaining Relationships Online Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 14 Public and Personal Influence Public Address and Relating to Audiences Sequential Persuasion Emotional Appeals Compliance Gaining Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Chapter 15 Interviewing Preparing for an Interview Interviews Pre-Interview Responsibilities Beginning an Employment Interview Asking the Questions During an Employment Interview Answering the Questions During an Employment Interview Concluding an Employment Interview Post-Interview Responsibilities Focus Questions Revisited Key Concepts Questions to Ask Your Friends Media Connections Glossary References Index
