Mass Communication Theories: Explaining Origins, Processes, and Effects

The second edition of this innovative textbook provides a comprehensive overview of mass communication theories, as well as their origins and empirical supports in psychology, sociology, political science, and philosophy.

Each chapter presents a specific theory, describing its basic structure in simple formal terms and providing an accessible summary of the research studies and scholarly writings from which it developed. It breaks each complex theory down into five or six interlinked basic propositions, making them easily digestible for students. This new edition includes up-to-date research; improved coverage of contemporary critical and cultural theories; expanded treatments of theories such as cultivation theory, the spiral of silence, and framing; the use of social media; chapter discussion questions; and informative charts and figures.

This textbook serves as an accessible core text for undergraduate and graduate Mass Communication, Communication Theory, and Communication and Society courses.

Melvin L. DeFleur held the title of Distinguished Professor at the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University. Previously, he was Director of the School of Mass Communication at Boston University and held the John Ben Snow endowed Chair at Syracuse University. He served on the faculties of eight universities and was responsible for the development and administration of several Ph.D. programs. Melvin DeFleur is one of the most recognized scholars in the field of mass communication. He wrote numerous articles and books, including Milestones in Mass Communication Research, many of which have been translated into several languages.

Margaret H. DeFleur is Professor Emerita at Louisiana State University. She served as Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research at the Manship School of Mass Communication. Previously, she was the director of a graduate program in the College of Communication at Boston University and also taught at Syracuse University. She is the author or co-author of a number of articles and books, including Fundamentals of Human Communication: Social Science in Everyday Life.