Contemporary Theories

Theories in communication are novel since the discipline relatively new. And because communication plays vital role in different aspects of life and encounters various variables, scholars need to reexamine these theories to validate, invalidate or recast them. Scientists have studied communication and its influence at different levels such as individuals, groups, societies, and states as well.

Since various life aspects incorporate communication; the participants, the media, and the messages that are essential components in the communication process play prominent role analyzing the process of communication. In addition, there are other crucial factors that contribute in the communication process such as, coding, noise, and feedback. Thus, theorizing communication stem from hypotheses that have been observed by the scientists who are concerned about their particular field. Communication is an essential artistic tool that is needed for politician, educators, sociologists, and all professional practitioners. In order to communicate successfully, communicators are required to obtain a complete understanding about their audience and the ways in which their messages are effectively delivered.

However, there are variables within communication that play role in altering the communication process with time. For example, the advancement in communication technologies, and the cultural and social changes today are very influential in characterizing the current interactive players in the communication system. Interactive media available with Internet have empowered online users to become not only recipients but also source of information. Individuals are able to express themselves by broadcast, and participating in whatever they wish, and actually be able to expose themselves at the World Wide Web by digital multimedia. They are able to publish their ideas, and find audience anywhere at any time, and on the other hand, get themselves exposed to others.

Under the rapid developments in information communication technologies, and the other variables that affect communication, former communication theories can be strongly refuted in today’s communication environment. Some of these theories may be valid to certain extend, but the current variables would lead to modifications to make these theories valid today. For example, modernity, and transnational influence on people have increased the level of complexity of audiences. Publics are no longer simply recipients. In addition, psychological, and social implications of these effects contribute heavily in understanding the behavior and attitudes of these individuals. Therefore, communication theories concerned about people may need to be completely reexamined to fit in the system of communication today.

Some communication scholars may find the theories of communication valid as concepts. But many of these theories may need to be modified in order to fit within the description of communication in the contemporary and the future world atmosphere. Therefore, the reexamination of the communication theories in a consistent manner is needed for the verification and validity of these theories.