This new edition provides a comprehensive overview of current theory and research written by the top theorists and researchers in each area. It has been updated to address the growing influence of technology, changing relationships, and several growing integrated approaches to communication and includes seven new chapters on:

■ Digital Media

■ Media Effects

■ Privacy

■ Dark Side

■ Applied Communication

■ Relational Communication

■ Instructional Communication

■ Communication and the Law

The book continues to be essential reading for students and faculty who want a thorough overview of contemporary communication theory and research.

Preface to the 1996 Edition

Preface to the 2007 Edition

Preface to the Third Edition

Part One: Studying "Theory": Doing "Research

1 Integrating Theory and Research: Starting with Questions

Don W. Stacks and Michael B. Salwen

2 Thinking about Theory

Steven H. Chafee

3 Thinking Quantitatively

Michael J. Beatty

4 The Qualitative Method in Communication Research

Mark Hickson III and Brennan Hickson

Part Two: Mass Communication: Approaches and Concerns

5 Mass Communication Theory and Research: The Dynamic Nature of Theoretical Approaches

Wayne Wanta and Barbara Myslik

6 Privacy Issues in Communication

Fritz Messere

7 Media Gatekeeping

Tim P. Vos

8 The Agenda-Setting Role of the News Media

Sebastián Valenzuela and Maxwell McCombs

9 Cultivation Analysis: Research and Practice

Nancy Signorielli, Michael Morgan, and James Shanahan

10 Theories and Methods in Knowledge Gap Research

Cecilie Gaziano and Emanuel Gaziano

11 Uses and Gratifications

Paul Haridakis and Zachary Humphries

12 Spiral of Silence

Charles T. Salmon and Thanomwong Poorisat

13 International Communication

Lindita Camaj

14 Violence and Sex in the Media

Wes Fondren, Kyle J. Holody, and Jennings Bryant

15 Advertising

Esther Thorson and Shelly Rodgers

16 Digital Media: Identity Management

Lee Humphreys, Alexa Paley, and Sierra Rinaldi

17 Media Effects: A Functional Perspective

Nicholas David Bowman

Part Three: Human Communication Approaches and Concerns

18 Human Communication Theories and Research: Traditions and Models

Virginia P. Richmond and James C. McCroskey

19 The Rhetorical Perspective: Doing, Being, Shaping, and Seeing

J. David Cisneros, Kristen L. McCauliff, and Vanessa B. Beasley

20 Persuasion

Michael D. Miller and Timothy R. Levine

21 Interpersonal Communication

Charles R. Berger and Michael E. Roloff

22 Delineating the Dark Side of Communication

Brian Spitzberg

23 Intercultural Communication

Thomas M. Steinfatt and Diane M. Millette

24 Intrapersonal Communication and Imagined Interactions: A Musical Application

James M. Honeycutt

25 Nonverbal Communication

Amy S. Ebesu Hubbard and Judee K. Burgoon

26 Applied Communication

Lawrence R. Frey and Jeanette German

27 Organizational Communication: Theory and Practice

Jessica Wendorf Muhamad, Tyler R. Harrison, and Fan Yang

Part Four: Integrated Approaches to Communication

28 Relational Communication

Sean M. Horan and Leah E. Bryant

29 Internet Communication (and Social Media)

Marcus Messner, Bruce Garrison, and Marcia W. DiStaso

30 Corporate Communication

Shannon A. Bowen

31 Diffusion of Innovations

Everette M. Rodgers, Arvind Singhal, and Margaret M. Quinlan

32 Credibility

Charles C. Self and Chris Roberts

33 Political Communication

Sharon E. Jarvis and Kassie M. Barroquillo

34 Public Relations and Integrated Communication

Dustin Supa

35 Health Communication: Social Support and Health Outcomes

Kevin B. Wright

36 Feminist Theory

Carolyn Garrett Cline

37 Communication Ethics

Donald K. Wright

38 Instructional Communication

Marian L. Houser

39 Communication and the Law

Jason Zenor

Part Five: Future of Theory and Research in Communication

40 The Future of Communication Theory and Research

Michael J. Beatty and Paola Pascual-Ferrá