This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
1. John Douglas Elliott
2. 1 What is it?? Symbolic convergence deals with the general
human tendency to interpret and give meanings to signs and symbols
(Infante, Rancer, Avtgis 2010). When humans communicate their minds
try to unite with the other person they are communicating with.
This is especially common in small groups or focus groups.
3. 1 What is it?? Symbolic convergence theory can explain
meaning, motives, and values between two people with a common
experience.
4. Even with no words on the sign most people would know that
this symbol means to stop.
5. 2 Who uses it?? Many Communication scholars utilize symbolic
convergence theory to help explain human behavior. Scholars
fascinated with the idea of symbolic convergence use the theory in
case studies to determine the effect of human behavior. Symbolic
convergence is factored into daily decisions and the person may not
even be aware!
6. 2 Who uses it?? Scholar Ernest Bormann is the pioneer of
symbolic convergence and has written numerous articles on the
effectiveness of the theory.
7. 3 Soooooo what?? Symbolic convergence theory is a very
useful theory that helps explain the general tendencies of humans.
Scholars have decided that symbolic convergence can have a direct
influence on humans without them knowing or realizing why.
8. 3 Sooooooo what?? Businesses rely on marketing which is made
stronger by symbolic convergence. Symbolic convergence can help
pinpoint what clients like a bout a company which allows the
company to cater to their clients (Shields & Cragan 1992).
Symbolic convergence is often utilized by the media. Political
campaigns will use symbolic convergence, broadcasted by the media.
Candidates will adapts their message to different groups of people
based off that groups belief.
9. 4 Criticisms Symbolic convergence theory has been criticized
for being too much fantasy. The fantasy can alter the humans
rational thoughts. SCT has also been criticized for being neither a
modern nor a postmodern theory (Gunn 2003).
10. 4 Criticisms SCT can occur without people being aware. This
could severely limit the influence of SCT because of the notion
that SCT just happens. Most decisions made under SCT appear to be
subconscious decisions.
11. 5 Examples An example of symbolic convergence in politics
is the views of Republicans and Democrats. Republicans tend to view
Democrats as too liberal, fiscally irresponsible, and creators of
economic chaos. Democrats think Republicans are too conservative,
want to protect big business, and are unsympathetic to the poor
(Infante, Rancer, Avtgis 2010). Groups that share common interests
are most likely to be influenced by symbolic convergence.
12. Future Application Now that you have been introduced to
symbolic convergence theory, you will be able to apply the theory
to future situations. It doesn't take a Communication scholar to
recognize the symbolic convergence theory in everyday life!!
13. References Sovacool, B. K., & Brossman, B. (2010).
Symbolic convergence and hydrogen economy. Energy Policy, 38(4),
1999-2012. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com Bormann, E.
G. (1985). Symbolic convergence theory: A communication
formulation. Journal of Communication, 35(4). doi:
10.1111/j.1460-2466.1985.tb02977.x Bormann, E. G. (2003). Defending
symbolic convergence theory from an imaginary gunn. The Quarterly
Journal of Speech, 89(4), 366-372. doi: 10.1080/0033563032000160990
Bormann E. G. (1982). The symbolic convergence theory of
communication: Applications and implications. Journal of Applied
Communications Research, 50(1), 50-62. Retrieved from
http://ehis.ebscohost.com Cragan, J. F., & Shields, D. C.
(1992). The use of symbolic convergence theory in corporate
strategic planning: A case study. Journal of Applied Communications
Research, 20(2), 199-218. Retrieved from
http://ehis.ebscohost.com
14. References Vazquez, G. M. (1993). A homo narrans paradigm
for public relations: Combining bormann's symbolic convergence
theory and grunig's situational theory of publics. Journal of
Public Relations Research, 5(3), 201-216. Retrieved from
http://ehis.ebscohost.com Olufowote, J. O. (2006). Rousing and
redirecting a sleeping giant symbolic convergence theory and
complexities in the communicative constitution of collective
action. Management Communication Quarterly, 19, 451-492. doi:
10.1177/0893318905280326 Shields, D. C. (2000). Symbolic
convergence and special communication theories: Sensing and
examining dis/enchantment with the theoretical robustness of
critical autoethnography. Communication Monographs, 67(4), 392-421.
Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com Stone, J. F. (2002).
Using symbolic convergence theory to discern and segment motives
for enrolling in professional master's degree programs.
Communication Quarterly 50(2), 227-243. doi:
10.1080/01463370209385658 Williams, J. F. (1996). The combination
of symbolic convergence theory and situational theory of publics to
investigate messages and publics involved in a public relations
campaign. UMI Dissertations Publishing. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com
15. References Csapo-Sweet, R. M. (2000). Explicating the saga
component of symbolic convergence theory: The case of serbia's
radio B92 in cyberspace. Critical studies in media communication,
17(3), 316-333. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com Zagacki,
K., & Grano D. (2005). Radio sports talk and the fantasies of
sport. Critical studies in media communication, 22(1), 45-63.
Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com Frey, L. R., (2004). The
symbolic-interpretive perspective on group dynamics. Small group
research 35(3), 277-306. doi: 10.1177/1046496404263771 Gunn, J.,
(2003). Refiguring fantasy: Imagination and its decline in u.s.
rhetorical studies. Quarterly journal of speech, 89(1), 41-59.
doi:10.1080/00335630308168 Infante, D., Rancer, A., & Avtgis,
T. (2010). Contemporary communication theory. Dubuque, IA: Kendall
Hunt.