User:DMM78~enwiki/Sandbox

For my wiki project, I will be working on the entry for Problematic Integration Theory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problematic_integration_theory). The article, as it currently exists, contains the bare bones of an outline, history, and description of the concepts. It could use, I believe, an expansion on weaknesses and critiques of the theory.

My plan is to expand on the introduction (outline), flesh out the history (specifically provide a bit more on Babrow's research), develop the concepts section (possibly creating new sections/subsections to better explain the theory and discuss its relevance and applications), and finally provide a section for critique of PI. Moreover, I would like to find current research of the theory and add it to the "Current Use" section.

Introduction

The theory of Problematic Integration is situated at the intersection of communication and one’s environment. The theory suggests that humans are affected on a myriad of levels according to their interpretations of what is likely, and what is good or bad. The interplay between these complementary processes represents more than simple co-occurrence. When there is consistency and convergence between clear probabilities and favorable (desired or valued) outcomes, integration is routine. However, when these orientations are less clear and consistent, integration is problematic. This can lead to discomfort cognitively, communicatively, affectively, and motivationally.

History

Austin Babrow [1] first introduced the theory of Problematic Integration (PI) in 1992. Babrow brought together a diverse and interdisciplinary literature to serve as building blocks for his new theory. Among the theoretical underpinnings that support PI are: Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT); the theory of belief in a just world; analysis of decision-making; the theory of and motivation and self-esteem; and cognitive dissonance. However, despite integrating elements from these theories, PI has striking differences (e.g., unlike URT, PI does not assume that uncertainty is an undesirable situation). Due to the complexity of PI, there is ample room for the breadth of Babrow’s theoretical integration.

Concepts

'''Add: PI is a type of message processing, and relates to decision making and persuasion theories.

probabilistic orientation - how likely is this to occur? and evaluative orientation - are these outcomes desirable?

Uncertainty occurs when an unknown obscures or complicates one's orientation (probability and evaluation) toward an outcome.

Communication is both a source of, a medium, and a method for resolving this conflict.'''

Problematic Integration (PI) proposes that we orient ourselves to the world in both a probabilistic and an evaluative manner, that probability and evaluation are not independent, that they are social and social constructed, and that they are integral to our daily experience. Often, assessments of probability and value are cooperative and easily integrated. As the title of the theory implies, there are occasions when integration becomes problematic. Integration becomes more difficult as:
 * 1) clarity of object probability decreases
 * 2) object value conflicts increase
 * or, there is an increase in the divergence between object expectation and desire

Babrow identified four distinct manifestations of problematic integration: divergence; ambiguity; ambivalence; and impossibility. Divergence arises when there is a discrepancy between what we believe to be true (or to be the likely outcome) and what we want to be true (or the desired outcome). Ambiguity arises when the probability of what is valued or despised is unclear. Babrow explained, that “in ambiguous situations, neither the outcome, nor the probability of the outcome is known, though the latter has restrictions” (Babrow, 1992, p. 112). Ambivalence is borne from one of two choice conditions: (1) an individual is forced to choose between two similarly valued alternatives; or (2) an individual is forced to choose between mutually exclusive alternatives. Impossibility occurs upon the realization or belief that an outcome is will not happen. Impossibility is recognized as different from a form of divergence, because only impossibility denotes a sense of certainty. Responses to impossibility can range from a sense of futility, to one of increased motivation to deny the perceived impossibility. All of these give rise to conflict.

Add later development of uncertainty management theory (UMT)?

Current Usage

The complexity of PI and the multiplicity of its manifestations makes it difficult to operationalize, measure, and apply. However, it has been used within the realm of Health Communication studies in order to assess methods of educating, and communicating with, patients facing a variety chronic or life threatening conditions. In 2003, Babrow received the prestigious Woolbert Award for scholarship of exceptional originality and influence from the National Communication Association [2] for his work with PI.

'''PI has been used extensively in analysis of the health care system, particularly in regard to communication between health care providers and patients. Studies: breast cancer studies, diabetes treatment in elderly patients, pregnancies.


 * PI has also been used to evaluate communication in the business world.
 * Communication in organizations - (PI takes on a new appearance in the context of complex systems of communication; PI can be created, maintained, or avoided by an organization's system design and strategy).
 * Communication in marketing and advertising'''

Add section on potential future studies