COMMUNICATION
THEORY WORKBOOK
SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION
SYSTEMS
THEORY
Explanation of Theory: Systems theory states groups are
open systems, which are influenced by such independent variables
as; openness to environment, interdependence, input variables,
process variables, and output variables.
Theorists: Ludwig Von Bertalanffy
Date: 1950
Primary Article:
Individual Interpretations: Basically, Systems theory explains
the process of inputs, processes, outputs, and environment
which groups engage in.
Metatheoretical Assumptions:
Ontological Assumptions: Systems Theory is Deterministic,
because the envrionment and the resources provide the processes
that are used to gain the correct outputs.
Epistemological Assumptions: Scientific. Systems Theory
is scientific because it is one truth, which states groups
will use processes and their resources within their environment
to develop the desired outputs.
Axiological Assumptions: Value Neutral
Critique: Evaluative power: yes, the theory has evaluative
power because it evaluates the process of how groups function
and are influenced by their environment,
Predictive Power: The systems theory is able to predict
the process and variables which groups use to make decisions,
but the theory is not able to predict the exact outcome.
Parsimony: Yes, the theory is simple and easily applied.
Testability: The variables are able to be tested to discover
what variables are used by the groups and to what extent.
Internal Consistency: Yes the theory has internal consistency.
We know the systems theory stems from the Biological Research
of Ludwig Von Bertalanffy.
Heuristic Provocativness: Yes future research questions
can be asked covering the systems theory in teams
Ideas and Implications: When looking at the systems theory
we can also look at the theory of productivity and the outcome
of cohesion.
Example: IF the input of the group is Group Maintenance
then the output is Cohesion. If the Input of the group is
Group task, then the output is productivity.
Relevant Research:
Tubbs
Katz an Khan
Theory Books
Location in Eight (8) Primary Communication Theory Textbooks:
Anderson, R., &
Ross, V. (1998). Questions of communication: A practical
introduction to theory (2nd ed.). New York: St. Martin's
Press. 40-43
Cragan, J. F.,
& Shields, D.C. (1998). Understanding communication
theory: The communicative forces for human action. Boston,
MA: Allyn & Bacon. N/A
Griffin, E. (2000).
A first look at communication theory (4th ed.). Boston,
MA: McGraw-Hill. N/A
Griffin, E. (1997).
A first look at communication theory (3rd ed.). New
York: McGraw-Hill. N/A
Infante,
D. A., Rancer, A. S., & Womack, D. F. (1997). Building
communication theory (3rd ed.). Prospect Heights, IL:
Waveland Press. 90-98
Littlejohn,
S. W. (1999). Theories of human communication (6th
ed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. 40-60, 56-60
West, R.,
& Turner, L. H. (2000). Introducing communication
theory: Analysis and application. Mountain View, CA:
Mayfield. 244-245
Wood,
J. T. (1997). Communication theories in action: An introduction.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. 189-198
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