Each of us wonders about something. We might wish we understood our romantic partners better. Maybe we struggle to understand people from other cultures, or we can't figure out why different religious or political groups do what they do. Even though we all communicate on a daily basis, we frequently wonder about the behavior of others. Good theories help us answer a broad range of questions. Why do some messages persuade us better than others? Why do people believe what they hear on television or read online? Why do some marriages succeed and others fail? Communication theory has the answers. This book selects key theories about a range of communication topics and explains each one in a clear and accessible manner. Students are encouraged to understand, question, and evaluate theories to make better sense of their social worlds.