The cartoon I chose shows the evolution of phones over time from early rotary phones to modern smartphones, displaying how communication and technology changed throughout the years. This progression perfectly illustrates how communication theories develop just like phones evolve to meet new ways we communicate. Scholars observe these changes, ask important questions, and build theories to explain how communication works and shifts over time.

According to the reading, developing communication theories involves three key steps,asking meaningful questions about communication, observing real behavior, and forming theories based on those observations. Researchers like Deborah Tannen and John Gottman used this process to challenge common beliefs about how men and women communicate or what makes relationships succeed.

I can relate to this because I’ve seen how different generations use different communication tools my grandparents relied on landlines and letters, while I mostly use texting and video calls. Understanding that communication evolves like technology helps me appreciate different styles and reminds me that communication theories must also adapt to keep up. It’s a helpful way to think about how and why we communicate the way we do and how that might continue to change.

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