Information Manipulation Theory

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Running head: LIES! LIES! LIES! THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION OF INFORMATION MANIPULATION THEORY The Development and Evolution of Information Manipulation Theory Stephanie Gunnerson Communication Theory 457 Professor Lamb Normand Information Manipulation Theory Introduction and Review of the Literature Introduction As human beings we have the amazing ability to use written and spoken language to communicate, unlike any other species. However, this ability can be both a gift and a curse. Although language gives us many advantages and the ability to do things that would be impossible otherwise, it can also have many drawbacks. One of these drawbacks is the manipulation of our language in order to deceive others – also known as lying. Lying is seen as a normal and daily occurrence now, and most people view it as an inevitable part of life. Communication researchers have long been interested in this concept and many theories have come of it. One of these theories is the Information Manipulation Theory. This theory has its own place in the communication field as an important theory about the deception of information. To understand this theory fully and to know the impact it has on the study of communication it is crucial to look at who developed this theory, how they define it, how the theory has changed over time, what other researchers have used the theory and how, some criticisms of the theory, the strengths and limitations of the theory, and the future of the theory. Review of the Literature Development of Theory The Information Manipulation Theory has been widely accepted as a valid theory about lying. This theory was developed by Steven McCornack with his publishing of an article called Information Manipulation Theory in 1992. McCornack (1992) was not the first to develop a theory about lying. Other researchers that delved into this complicated
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