Communication Theory
Basis of multimedia
•Based on two sciences
1. Communication science
2. Computer science
Definitions and roots of communication science
•Mostly derived from social sciences and humanities
•Communication and computer sciences: distinctions and similarities
–Information transmission
–Usage of electronic media
–Information representation (information theory; minimum code required to represent information without
loss)
–Computer science concentrates on technical aspects of representation, manipulation, transmission, and
reception of information while communication science concentrates on human aspects of the same
–Computer science deals with representation of images in terms of pixels
–Communication science deals with representation of content at a higher level, more from presentation
point of view
–Broadly, computer science deals with transmission of data; communication science deals with transmission
of information/emotion/knowledge
–Communication vs communications
∗Communication refers to human aspect
·Human to human
·Human to computer
·Computer to human
∗Communications refers to technical aspect
·Computer to computer
•History of modern communication science
–Foundations in sociology, social psychology, and education
–Mass communication vs interpersonal communication
–Shaping the public opinion, and propaganda
–Social psychology
∗Focused on persuasion, attitude change, group processes, and interpersonal communication
∗Education research
1. Educational use of new technologies
2. Research on communication skills
3. Investigation of communication strategies and instructional outcomes
4. Research on reading and listening
–Commercial applications
∗Administrative research and effectiveness of advertising
