Communication Science vs. Semiotics
Marcel Danesi says that "communication theorists generally focus more on the study of message-making as a process, whereas semioticians center their attention more on what a message means and on how it creates meaning" (Messages and Meanings: An Introduction to Semiotics, 1994). He implies that both communication science and semiotics are systematic studies of signs. Interestingly, Danesi comments that semiotics studies signification first and communication second.
Danesi's definitions and distinctions about communication science and semiotics captured my interest because of the way he draws the line between to areas of study that are very closely related. In this paper I will try to elaborate on those differences. I have to admit that until now I am not completely convinced about the way to distinguish among semiotics and communication science. However, I believe that it is worth the effort. Reflection about these topics will help me and possibly the reader to understand them better.
We are in broad information age. The handling of information is definitely the main commercial activity of our days. We are all consumers of information at different levels. Most of us also have to either manage, process, market, deliver or sell information as a way of living. Information is wrapped in all kinds of packages, or better said it is delivered through all kinds of media. All kinds of messages are delivered to all kinds of audiences.
Information is the core element of communication science and probably of semiotics as well. I consider information to be the raw material for message construction and the creation of meaning. Signs are a collection of bits and pieces of information. Information is what we decipher from signs. Notice that decoding has to be performed because some sort of coding is always a part of the "creation" of a sign. Even iconic signs which are "a direct representation of a referent" as defined by Danesi, have to be encoded in order to make them deliverable through any given medium.
Let us take for example a flower as a referent. An iconic representation of a flower could be a hand drawing, a painting or a color picture. From the least iconic (the drawing) to the most iconic (the color picture) representation coding of information (i.e. shape, texture, color) is necessary to create a sign. A perfume that smells "like" a flower is also an iconic representation of the real object.
The two theories I have decided to merge are Agnew’s General Strain Theory and Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory. I picked General Strain Theory because it does a good job at discussing some of the things that can trigger the release of a person’s negative emotions which in turn may lead to deviant behavior. I also decided to write about Social Bond Theory because it describes some of the factors that keep people from committing crime. Both of the theories have strengths and weaknesses individually, but when merged they help fill in each other’s gaps. (Agnew, 2011; Hirschi, 2011) +1 (888) 295-7904
Jang and Johnson (2003) noted GST as being “one of the most important theoretical developments in criminology over the past ten years.” In his theory, Agnew (1992) identified three major types of strain: ‘‘strain as the actual or anticipated failure to achieve positively valued goals, strain as the actual or anticipated removal of positively valued stimuli, and strain as the actual or anticipated presentation of negative stimuli” (p. 59). He then specified strain-generated emotions and revealed conditioning factors to explain individual differences in juveniles’ adaptations to strain. GST is set apart from other strain theories through its inclusion of another variable, negative emotion.
The prevalence of trauma of all types is widespread throughout much of the world and includes trauma from accident, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, political conflict, war, or other human struggles. The many faces of bullying, hatred, economic insecurity and oppression (racism, sexism) leave a steady stream of survivors carrying the burdens of fear, anxiety, rage, and physical illness.
Jay was to open with a set of his renditions of some major hits from the past fifty years, which had me thinking it was going to be a long night. I am very seldom a fan of covers, let alone covers of originals I have listened to hundreds of times. I began frantically searching for my server because I intended to make a preemptive strike on the pain I was about to endure.
Albert Cohen’s thesis is that class based status frustration is the origin of subcultures. Crime culture existed in certain social groups and the individuals learned the value of the delinquent subculture through participation in gangs. Delinquent subcultures have values that are in opposition to those of the dominant culture. The strain is rooted by low economical conditions, poor parental relations, and low school standards, with no chance of succeeding in the future. The anti social structure of cities also affects the why a boy and or girl joins a gang. The formation of gangs in cities, and most recently in suburbs, is assisted by the same lack of community among parents. While almost half of high seniors used marijuana at least once, thirty-seven percent said they had used it in the past year, and twenty-three percent said they had used it in the previous month.
Trauma-specific services consist of any treatment or treatment program that is specifically designed to treat someone who has experienced trauma. The need for respect, information, connection, and hope for their own recovery, along with in person-directed support with individuals who have experienced trauma is key to making sure these services provide the care needed. Evidence-based practices for trauma treatment include but are not limited to Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Seeking Safety, Child Parent Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Trauma in Schools, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) (Clackamas County Behavioral Health Division (CCBHD): Trauma-,
Communication is defined in the book as "a systematic process in which individuals interact with and through symbols to create and interpret meaning." (Wood, p.9). The definition can be broken down into four separate parts and they are as follows: process, systematic, symbols, and meaning. Process means that communication is ongoing and always in motion. Systematic focuses on how communication involves a group of interrelated parts that affect one another. Symbols are described as abstract, arbitrary, and ambiguous representations of other things. The key note on symbols is that they do not only include all language, but also include an important aspect of communication which is non-verbal. The fourth and final focus is meaning and is considered the heart of communication. The great thing about meaning is that we create it.
Griffin, E., Ledbetter, A., & Sparks, G. (2015). A first look at communication theory. New York:
What do you think of when you see or smell your favorite food? On one hand the sight or smell of that food might trigger hunger, or even a memory of the last time you shared that meal with a loved one. The point is, the smell or sight of our favorite food would trigger a different thought or feeling in each of us. This is an example of Semiotics. Semiotics is defined as "anything that can stand for something else." Roland Barthes was one of Europe's most renowned theorists of semiology. Barthes believed that in order to generate a complete sign, there were two parts that have to work together. These two parts are known as the signifier and the signified. A good example of this is your favorite food you thought of earlier, it would act as a signifier, and the thought that came to your head when thinking of this food would act as the signified. Together they create a sign. This is just a simple example of a complete sign.
...feelings of wealthy people. “Well, now you get why I hate rich people’” (Green 91). As many would think he is the stereotypical arrogant jock, you thought wrong. Once, you are able to learn about Chip Martin and become his friend, his kinder and sentimental side shines through. The author shows the reality of poverty, single parents and the strength of teens in our society. Families in Canada are very lucky, but living in a great country makes us blind-sided to everything around us. The Colonel’s friends never saw where he was from, and when they do they realize how lucky they really are.
Griffin, Emory A.. A first look at communication theory. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012. Print.
Communication serves various purposes, takes different forms, communication has six characteristics, and trains us how to communicate interpersonally. Communication meets people’s physical, relational, spiritual needs and fills identity needs of human needs. Communication naturally follows a certain process and there are three models or theories that describe this process. Human communication is taken to an action where the user encodes message and conveys it through a communication channel for the receiver to encode, an interaction which explains that our message are shaped by the feedback we receive from others and the context in which we are interacting, or a transaction where both people in a conversation are simultaneously senders and receivers.
In spite of many hardships, Jane manages to graduate and becomes a governess under Mr. Rochester’s employment. Mr. Brocklehurst’s influence on Jane to be plain, to be an underclass to serve becomes more apparent when Jane thinks, “is it likely he (Mr. Rochester) would waste a serious thought on this indigent and insignificant plebeian?” (Bronte: 191). Having no money or a house of her own, she considers herself inferior and unlikely that Mr. Rochester, being a man of power and class, would ever lay eyes on her. When Jane leaves Thornfield after she finds out that Mr. Rochester is married, she decides that it’s better to be a schoolmistress, honest and free, than to stay and become a slave full of remorse and shame.
D.E. McFarland defines communication as, “Communication may be broadly defined as the process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More specially, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understandings are reached among human beings.”
The study of semiotics shows that language is the primary mediator in the construction of reality. All systems of signification are dependent on language, and the development of subject position is determined through the act of speaking. (footnote 2) In a discussion of language functions, Fredric Jameson d...