This sampling of watershed research traditions in interpersonal, organizational, and mass communication manifests how communication theory is developed, defended and extended at a philosophical, theoretical and practical level of inquiry from a plurality of research perspectives.

The book includes the foundational works of Pearce, Cronen, and Associates on the coordinated management of meaning; Berger, Gudykunst, and Associates on uncertainty and anxiety reduction theory; Cushman, Nicotera and Associates on the communication rules involved in establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships; Delia, Clark, and Associates on constructivism; Deetz, Mumby, and Associates on critical theory; Desmond and Associates on mass communication theory; Sanders and Gottman on communication sequences; Cushman, King, and Associates on high-speed management; and Philipsen and Associates on the ethnography of communication.