Chapter VII

Theories about
How People Construct
Meaning
 Rules Theory
How people construct meaning.
&

Constructivism
How to interpret meaning which
people make it.
 Rules Theory
Coordinated Management of
Meaning (CMM)
- Hunan communication is rule
guided and rule following.
- It focus on how individual assigns
and interpret meaning.
- It also focus on how individual
apply meaning in communication.
Hierarchy of Meaning
Pearce & Cronen (1980)
Cultural Patterns

Autobiography

Relationship

Episode

Speech
Act
Content
 Example :
If you are well behavior,
I will give you a big surprise gift!

Cultural Patterns: being well behave,

you will get your reward in this family.
Autobiography: The mother is liberal
Relationship: a family (Mother -> her
kid)
Episode: The scene of son or daughter's birthd
Speech Act: Condition
Content: If you are well behavior, I will give you a
dozen chocolate bars
 Rules
Constitutive Rules
- To define meaning based on shared
understanding culture in group.

Regulative Rules
- To know when and how to respond
or interact.