Communication Accommodation Theory

I'm curious to find out if any of our SPICE19
students learn to navigate German greetings

without feeling clumsy or awkward. 

I've updated this post with a new reading for CAT (see bullet-points, below), as well as a video from Dr. Giles explaining the theory. 

Houston, TX -- Our first week discussion will have us talking Communication Accommodation Theory, first introduced to the field of human communication by noted scholar Dr. Howard "Howie" Giles of the University of California - Santa Barbara. In general, the theory attempts to explain how individuals come to adapt their communicative styles to one another as they spend more time with each other.

While the theory is not specifically or uniquely restricted to the study of intercultural communication, it is not hard to see how the theory might help explain variance in both our initial and continued interactions with folks from another culture; after all, one way we can understand cultural differences is in terms of communicative behavioral differences (both at the verbal and non-verbal level). A particularly interesting phenomenon associated with this is that of code-switching, which tends to really get at folks who are bi- or multi-lingual (or really, code-mixing as they tend to 'mesh' different linguistic and para-linguistic styles together). As students of communication, we'll be on the lookout for these behaviors and we'll make note as we see it.

Where might this stuff matter? I'll say that it's heavily studied in the context of organizational communication - particularly as we see an increasingly global corporate environment. But even in simple interviews and interactions, we see evidence of CAT as well as influences on perceived social status.

For that first class (we're meeting Monday, 17 June at 09:00 (that's 9am), over at Double B [walking directions]) we're going to talk about some of these concepts. To prepare for class however, I would encourage you to read the following articles.

• UPDATED:  Giles, H., & Ogay, T (2007). Communication accommodation theory. In B. B. Whaley & W. Samter (Eds.), Explaining communication: Contemporary theories and exemplars (pp. 293-310). Mahway, NJ: LEA
• Gregory, S. W., & Webster, S. (1996). A nonverbal signal in voices of interview partners effectively predicts communication accommodation and social status perceptions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(6), 1231-1240. 

Otherwise, read this article and the links contained in the short entry up above and we'll talk CAT on Monday! (NOTE: CAT might explain why I format my dates differently when working with SPICE). 

Getting around Erfurt, in those first few days

Houston, TX -- In about two days, we'll all be making our arrival in Erfurt, our home for most of Summer 2019. As a way to help folks get acclimated to their new hometown, we've been preparing this map of places that former and current SPICErs tend to frequent. The map also includes places that will be critical to SPICE 2019, as well as a few spots that you might just enjoy checking out. Enjoy, and please email Nick Bowman (Nicholas.Bowman@mail.wvu.edu) if you have any questions ... or if you'd like to help curate the map!


NOTE: Keep an eye on this map, because we'll be continuing to update this map throughout the summer! So, you might want to bookmark this one in your phone.

Media Entertainment/Psychology/Influence Course materials, now ready online

Lubbock, TX -- A quick note that for the Effects of Entertainment Media Course (COM405), all of your course materials (syllabus, readings, and lecture notes) will be held online, rather than given as physical handouts. However, since this course involves WVU students as well as students from other universities, we're unable to use the WVU eCampus system.

Instead? I've build a course blog, which is now available online at http://wvuspicemediapsych.pbworks.com. If you're not able to access that page, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can update the privacy settings. You'll need access in order to complete course assignments.

Opening night(s) for SPICE 2019

Lubbock, TX -- As we prepare for our departure to Germany in less than two weeks, our contacts at the University of Erfurt have set up two different opening receptions so that we can get to know our new University, our new colleagues, and our new home in Erfurt. Quick details, below:

SPICE Information Session

There will be a SPICE Informational Session on Tuesday June 11 at 10am (written in German style, 11.06.19, 10:00) in LG4, Room 203. This is a new event for SPICE, but will be very helpful in guiding students towards some of the more critical information about SPICE as well as the University of Erfurt. Your apartments will likely be right next door to campus, so I would absolutely be sure to attend the event.

SPICE Opening Reception

Each year, SPICE hosts a very nice reception at a local cafe called Peckham's. This year's reception is scheduled for Wednesday (12.06.19) at 7pm (19:00), and is a fantastic way to get to know all of the other SPICE students, as well as some faculty. Drinks and sandwiches will be served, and you'll also get a chance to see some of the central city of Erfurt. Mark this one on your calendars, also. =)

I've marked both locations on the map below, with the area "Philosophische Fakulat" representing the building "LG4" and of course, Peckham's representing ... Peckham's. As you can see, the walk is less than 30 minutes for the Wednesday night reception if you're walking from campus.

Syllabus | COM416 International Culture and Communication Syllabus

Morgantown, WV -- As we prepare for Summer 2019, a quick note that the complete syllabus for COM416 is available below. This same document can be viewed (and downloaded) online here.