This chapter introduced the concept of theory and its usefulness for examining communication behaviors. We have provided an initial definition of theory as well as explored some of the goals of theory and the relationship between theory and experience. We discussed the frameworks for theories, which consist of intellectual traditions and paradigms. We detailed three metatheoretical perspectives, and we provided criteria for evaluating the theories that you will encounter in this book. As we seek to understand communication, we need to turn to theory to help us organize the information that research provides.

Yet, we must realize the limitations of theory. Communication interactions consist of multiple perspectives, and theories are, at best, only partial explanations of the multiplicity of social life. We can overcome this limit to an extent by acknowledging the partiality of our theories and opening ourselves to diverse points of view. As Yerby (1995) states, our ability to listen to the perspectives of others while at the same time voicing our own perspectives ultimately contributes to our ability to understand how we are connected to others.