The DAST Theory for Communication - The (Inter)Dynamics of Desire, Affinity, Space and Time in Different Contexts of Communication

ISBN: 1465204717

Author: Xin-An Lu

Condition: New

The process of real-life communication is dynamic and complex. Many prominent communication theories, perhaps in their endeavor for theoretical neatness, fall far short of the dynamic complexity of real-life communication. Uncertainty certainly does not always animate the urge to initiate communication for reduction of uncertainty--uncertainty may activate as much fear and avoidance. The uncertainty reduction theory is thus refuted. Communicators are not always onions waiting to be peeled to their core to reach intimacy. Due to factors such as desire and affinity, communicators assume characteristics more describable by images of the cherry, the watermelon, or the iron ball. The social penetration theory is thus refuted. Computer-mediated communication produces as much hyper-personal as hypo-personal relations, whose development may take shorter or longer than face-to-face communication, all depending on factors such as desire and affinity. The hyper-personal perspective is thus refuted.Many other communication theories stand at odds with the dynamic complexity of real-life communication, due to their negligence of the inter-dynamics of the four overarching forces that drive communication--Desire, Affinity, Space, and Time (DAST). The DAST theory of communication is proposed to amend errors and weaknesses in existing communication theories. More importantly, by strategically modulating the values of the four DAST factors, the communicator will be able to revise the course of communication and conduit it toward his or her desired result. This book teaches you how.