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Human Communication in Society, 5th edition

Published by Pearson (January 18, 2018) © 2019

  • Jess K. Alberts Arizona State University
  • Thomas K. Nakayama Northeastern University
  • Judith N. Martin Arizona State University

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For courses in Introduction to Communication.

An overview of communication that balances individual and social factors

Human Communication in Society engages students in exploring the implications of communication in their daily lives. Providing a balance between theory and applications, the authors highlight the tension between individual and societal forces and encourage students to recognize the value of multiple perspectives in understanding communication.

The 5th Edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect the latest research and to include expanded coverage of social media and LGBT voices.

Hallmark features of this title

  • To reinforce the authors' emphasis on ethics, each chapter includes 1 or more detailed sections discussing ethical issues relevant to that chapter's topic.
  • It Happened to Me boxes offer real-life accounts of student experiences that bring important communication concepts to life.
  • Alternative View boxes offer perspectives that challenge mainstream thinking or offer an interpretation of a chapter-related topic counter to conventional wisdom.
  • Did You Know? boxes offer examples of chapter-related material that students may find surprising or unfamiliar.
  • Apply What You Know questions prompt students to work through challenging concepts.
  • Critical thinking prompts encourage students to reflect on how major concepts connect with their everyday experiences.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW: The 5th Edition has been updated with new examples, theories and applications, as well as updated photos that reflect the pervasiveness of social and other interactive media.
  • UPDATED: The text's content has been updated to incorporate examples of studies and applications that include LGBT communicators.
  • NEW: The authors have incorporated more examples of specific research studies, particularly those that address LGBT as well as heterosexual relational communication in all 3 major paradigms.
  • UPDATED: References in each chapter have been updated to reflect the most recent available research on the topics addressed.
  • UPDATED: Updated examples address contemporary events and trends in order to help students connect the concepts to their personal experiences and concerns.
  • UPDATED: Chapters 13 and 14 (Mass Media and Communication and Communicating Through Social and Other Interactive Media) have been updated and revised to more clearly differentiate between communication processes that occur in mass media and interactive media, respectively.

Features of Revel for the 5th Edition

  • Videos throughout the narrative show how ethics, culture, language, and listening skills shape the act of communication to boost mastery. Accompanying video self-checks for many of the videos enable students to test their knowledge.
  • Fill-in critical thinking applications prompt students to answer questions that require them to apply their personal experiences to the concepts within the text.
  • Animated figures help students understand hard-to-grasp concepts through interactive visualizations.
PART I: UNDERSTANDING HUMAN COMMUNICATION PROCESSES
1. Introduction to Human Communication
2. Perspectives on Human Communication
3. Communicating Identities
4. Communicating, Perceiving, and Understanding
 
PART II: DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE HUMAN COMMUNICATION SKILLS
5. Verbal Communication
6. Nonverbal Communication
7. Listening and Responding
 
PART III: COMMUNICATING IN CONTEXT
8. Communicating across Cultures
9. Communicating in Close Relationships
10. Small Group Communication
11. Communicating in Organizations
12. Rhetorical Communication
13. Mass Media and Communication
14. Communicating through Social and Other Interactive Media

About our authors

Jess Alberts is President's Professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University. She is an interpretive scholar who focuses on interpersonal communication and specializes in the study of conflict.

Thomas Nakayama is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Northeastern University. He is a critical scholar who focuses on rhetoric and intercultural communication.

Judith Martin is professor emerita in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University. She is a social scientist whose expertise is in intercultural communication.

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