I have a couple of favourite theories. Activity theory, originally from Leontev in the 20's. This looks at human activity in a social context. Computers may in activity theory be seen as a means to work towards an object. The object may vary, and there is often conflict between various actors involved in the same activity (this is from Yrjoe Engestroem) Distributed cognition. cognition is not only within the head of a particular person. Instead, cognition is distributed over people and artefacts. This theory is rather similar to the activity theory, but DC is more favoured in San Diego than activity theory. Cultural theory - I guess many people on this list belong to this very amorphous collection of ideas, called theory. As far as I understand it is a kind of humanistic theory, more turned towards critical analysis of human activity, in particular with respect to media (not as mediating activity, but as mass communication, for instance). Let's see what you get more! Yvonne
As I wrestle with how to approach a research project involving CMC, I'm curious as to what types of theoretical approaches researchers on this list use when studying CMC. What are some of your "favorite" theories with respect to CMC? Thank you! JS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Jamie S. Switzer Assistant Professor Department of Journalism and Technical Communication Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785 970.491.2239 fax 970.491.2908 jamie.switzer@colostate.edu
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-- Yvonne Wærn, Professor em, PhD. Department of Communication Studies, Linköping University SE 581 83 Linköping