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TEXT COMPARISON
FURTHER RESOURCES
New to Theory Resources?
Find out more in this
short video overview (3:01).
11th Edition
Scholarly and artistic references from the Instructors Manual and addition to the website
List mode: Normal (click on theory name to show detail) | Show All details | Clear details
Chapter 21—Symbolic Convergence Theory
For further discussion of Bormann’s work, see Sonja K. Foss, “Fantasy-Theme Criticism,” in Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice, 5th ed, Waveland, Long Grove, IL, 2018, pp. 105-140.
For a provocative book-length application of Bormann’s notion of symbolic convergence to the culture of a small group, see Moya Ann Ball, Vietnam-on-the-Potomac, Praeger Publishers, New York, 1992.
- A condensed version of this study is Moya Ann Ball, “Vacillating About Vietnam: Secrecy, Duplicity, and Confusion in the Communication of President Kennedy and His Advisors,” in Group Communication in Context: Studies of Natural Groups, Lawrence R. Frey (ed.), Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, 1994, pp. 181-198.
Another excellent book-length application is Mara B. Adelman and Lawrence R. Frey, The Fragile Community: Living Together with AIDS, Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ, 1997. (This book also overlaps nicely with the bona fide group perspective presented in chapter 17 on the functional perspective).
Theoretical considerations
For a critique of symbolic convergence theory, see the following “exchange”
Joshua Gunn, “Refiguring Fantasy: Imagination and its Decline in U.S. Rhetorical Studies,” Quarterly Journal of Speech, Vol. 89, 2003, pp. 41-60.
In response to Gunn’s article:
Ernest G. Bormann, John F. Cragan, and Donald C. Shields, “Defending Symbolic Convergence Theory from an Imaginary Gunn,” Quarterly Journal of Speech, Vol. 89, 2003, pp. 366-372.
Gunn then responded to their response:
Joshua Gunn, “Response,” Quarterly Journal of Speech, Vol. 89, 2003, p. 373.
Alaina C. Zanin, Carrisa S. Hoelscher, and Michael W. Kramer, “Extending Symbolic Convergence Theory: A Shared Identity Perspective of a Team’s Culture,” Small Group Research. Vol. 47, 2016, pp. 438-472.
Applied contexts of Bormann’s theory and fantasy theme analysis
Aubrie S. Adams, “Needs Met Through Role-Playing Games: A Fantasy Theme Analysis of Dungeons & Dragons,” Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research, Vol. 12, 2013, pp. 69-86.
Dawn O. Braithwaite, Paul Schrodt, and Jody Koenig Kellas, “Symbolic Convergence Theory: Communication, Dramatizing Messages, and Rhetorical Visions in Families,” in Engaging Theories in Family Communication, Dawn O Braithwaite and Leslie A. Baxter (eds.), Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, 2006, pp. 146-161.
Michael E. Burns, Laura C. Farrell, Judy C. Pearson, and Derek A. Jorgenson, “Spirituality's Influence on Interpersonal Competence and Friend Group Satisfaction,” Journal of the Communication, Speech & Theatre Association of North Dakota, Vol. 29, 2016/2017, pp. 28-41.
Margaret E. Duffy and Janis Teruggi Page, “Does Political Humor Matter? You Betcha! Comedy TV's Performance of the 2008 Vice Presidential Debate,” Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 46, 2013, pp. 545-565.
Amanda Hinnant and Elizabeth Hendrickson, “Rhetorical Visions of Health: A Fantasy-Theme Analysis of Celebrity Articles,” Celebrity Studies, Vol. 3, 2012, 197-212.
Jobia Keys, “Stirring Racial Conflict with ‘the Others’: A Fantasy Theme Analysis of the Alt-Right,” in The Role of Conflict on the Individual and Society (Theresa MacNeil-Kelly, ed.), 2020, pp. 71–86. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Janis Teruggi Page, Margaret Duffy, Cynthia Frisby, and Gregory Perreault, “Richard Sherman Speaks and Almost Breaks the Internet: Race, Media, and Football,” Howard Journal of Communications, Vol. 27, 2016, pp. 270-289.
Newly Paul and Gregory Perreault. “The First Lady of Social Media: The Visual Rhetoric of Michelle Obama’s Twitter Images,” Atlantic Journal of Communication, Vol. 26 (3), 2018, pp. 164–79.
Gregory Perreault and Patrick Ferrucci. “Punishing Brady, Redeeming Brady: A Fantasy Theme Analysis of Memes from the 2015 Deflategate Controversy,” Atlantic Journal of Communication, Vol. 27 (3), 2019, pp.153–68.
Mildred F. Perreault and Gregory Perreault. “Symbolic Convergence in the 2015 Duggar Scandal Crisis Communication,” Journal of Media and Religion, Vol. 18 (3), 2019, pp. 85–97.
Brian Simmons, “A Fantasy Theme Analysis of Ex-Christians' Online Deconversion Narratives,” Northwest Journal of Communication, Vol. 42, 2014, pp. 117-141.
Chris Underation, “Seeding the Vision: Symbolic Convergence Theory and Aimee Semple McPherson,” Atlantic Journal of Communication, Vol. 20, 2012, pp. 274-289.
Fred Vultee, “Man-Child in the White House: The Discursive Construction of Barack Obama in Reader Comments at foxnews.com,” Journalism Studies, Vol. 13, 2012, pp. 54-70.
Cross-cultural applications of SCT
Verónica Calvillo, “Symbolic Convergence in Bracero Corrido Narratives,” Aztlan, Vol. 42, 2017, pp. 99-126.
Mohammed Hossain, Md. Tarikul Islam, Mahmood Ahmed Momin, Shamsun Nahar, and Md. Samsul Alam. “Understanding Communication of Sustainability Reporting: Application of Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT),” Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 160 (2), 2019, pp. 563–86.
John L. Marambio and Chad Tew, “Clash in Paradise: A Fantasy Theme Analysis of A Day Without a Mexican,” Journal of American Culture, Vol. 29, 2006, pp. 475-492.
Elaine McKewon, “Talking Points Ammo: The Use of Neoliberal Think Tank Fantasy Themes to Delegitimise Scientific Knowledge of Climate Change in Australian Newspapers,” Journalism Studies, Vol. 13, 2012, pp. 277-297.
Mei Wu and Wen-bo Zhu, “Rise of China or Western Conspiracy? A Fantasy Theme Analysis,” China Media Research, Vol. 13, 2017, pp. 23-36.
Demi Simi and Jonathan Matusitz, “War Rape Survivors of the Second Congo War: A Perspective from Symbolic Convergence Theory,” Africa Review, Vol. 6, 2014, pp. 81-93.
Emil B. Towner, “Transcripts of Tragedy and Truths: An Analysis of Rwanda's Genocide Trial Documents,” Atlantic Journal of Communication, Vol. 23, 2015, pp. 284-297.
Flow theory
Karen Beard. “Theoretically Speaking: An Interview with Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on Flow Theory Development and Its Usefulness in Addressing Contemporary Challenges in Education.” Educational Psychology Review 27 (2), 2015, pp. 353–64
Dwight C. K. Tse, Helene H. Fung, Jeanne Nakamura, and Mihaly Csikszentmihaly. “Teamwork and Flow Proneness Mitigate the Negative Effect of Excess Challenge on Flow State,” Journal of Positive Psychology, Vol. 13 (3), 2018, pp. 284–89.
Other teaching ideas
Justin D. Walton, "‘Eleven of Us Think He's Guilty’: Utilizing ‘12 Angry Men’ to Teach Symbolic Convergence Theory,” Communication Teacher, Vol. 35, 2021, pp. 299-303.
Britney Gilmore and Michael W. Kramer. “We Are Who We Say We Are: Teachers’ Shared Identity in the Workplace,” Communication Education, Vol. 68 (1), 2019, pp. 1–19.
You can access Further Resouces for a particular chapter in several ways:
- Switch to View by Theory, then select the desired theory/chapter from the drop-down list at the top of the page. Look in the list of available resources.
- To quickly find a theory by chapter number, use the Table of Contents and link from there. It will take you directly to the theory with available options highlighted.
- You can also use the Theory List, which will take you directly to the theory with available options highlighted.
Resources
by Type
Instructors can get
additional resources.
Read more
RESOURCES
New to Theory
Resources?
Find out more
in this short
video overview
(3:01).
11th Edition
Scholarly and artistic references from the Instructors Manual and addition to the website
List mode: Normal (click on theory name to show detail) | Show All details | Clear details
Chapter 21—Symbolic Convergence Theory
For further discussion of Bormann’s work, see Sonja K. Foss, “Fantasy-Theme Criticism,” in Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice, 5th ed, Waveland, Long Grove, IL, 2018, pp. 105-140.
For a provocative book-length application of Bormann’s notion of symbolic convergence to the culture of a small group, see Moya Ann Ball, Vietnam-on-the-Potomac, Praeger Publishers, New York, 1992.
- A condensed version of this study is Moya Ann Ball, “Vacillating About Vietnam: Secrecy, Duplicity, and Confusion in the Communication of President Kennedy and His Advisors,” in Group Communication in Context: Studies of Natural Groups, Lawrence R. Frey (ed.), Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, 1994, pp. 181-198.
Another excellent book-length application is Mara B. Adelman and Lawrence R. Frey, The Fragile Community: Living Together with AIDS, Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ, 1997. (This book also overlaps nicely with the bona fide group perspective presented in chapter 17 on the functional perspective).
Theoretical considerations
For a critique of symbolic convergence theory, see the following “exchange”
Joshua Gunn, “Refiguring Fantasy: Imagination and its Decline in U.S. Rhetorical Studies,” Quarterly Journal of Speech, Vol. 89, 2003, pp. 41-60.
In response to Gunn’s article:
Ernest G. Bormann, John F. Cragan, and Donald C. Shields, “Defending Symbolic Convergence Theory from an Imaginary Gunn,” Quarterly Journal of Speech, Vol. 89, 2003, pp. 366-372.
Gunn then responded to their response:
Joshua Gunn, “Response,” Quarterly Journal of Speech, Vol. 89, 2003, p. 373.
Alaina C. Zanin, Carrisa S. Hoelscher, and Michael W. Kramer, “Extending Symbolic Convergence Theory: A Shared Identity Perspective of a Team’s Culture,” Small Group Research. Vol. 47, 2016, pp. 438-472.
Applied contexts of Bormann’s theory and fantasy theme analysis
Aubrie S. Adams, “Needs Met Through Role-Playing Games: A Fantasy Theme Analysis of Dungeons & Dragons,” Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research, Vol. 12, 2013, pp. 69-86.
Dawn O. Braithwaite, Paul Schrodt, and Jody Koenig Kellas, “Symbolic Convergence Theory: Communication, Dramatizing Messages, and Rhetorical Visions in Families,” in Engaging Theories in Family Communication, Dawn O Braithwaite and Leslie A. Baxter (eds.), Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, 2006, pp. 146-161.
Michael E. Burns, Laura C. Farrell, Judy C. Pearson, and Derek A. Jorgenson, “Spirituality's Influence on Interpersonal Competence and Friend Group Satisfaction,” Journal of the Communication, Speech & Theatre Association of North Dakota, Vol. 29, 2016/2017, pp. 28-41.
Margaret E. Duffy and Janis Teruggi Page, “Does Political Humor Matter? You Betcha! Comedy TV's Performance of the 2008 Vice Presidential Debate,” Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 46, 2013, pp. 545-565.
Amanda Hinnant and Elizabeth Hendrickson, “Rhetorical Visions of Health: A Fantasy-Theme Analysis of Celebrity Articles,” Celebrity Studies, Vol. 3, 2012, 197-212.
Jobia Keys, “Stirring Racial Conflict with ‘the Others’: A Fantasy Theme Analysis of the Alt-Right,” in The Role of Conflict on the Individual and Society (Theresa MacNeil-Kelly, ed.), 2020, pp. 71–86. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Janis Teruggi Page, Margaret Duffy, Cynthia Frisby, and Gregory Perreault, “Richard Sherman Speaks and Almost Breaks the Internet: Race, Media, and Football,” Howard Journal of Communications, Vol. 27, 2016, pp. 270-289.
Newly Paul and Gregory Perreault. “The First Lady of Social Media: The Visual Rhetoric of Michelle Obama’s Twitter Images,” Atlantic Journal of Communication, Vol. 26 (3), 2018, pp. 164–79.
Gregory Perreault and Patrick Ferrucci. “Punishing Brady, Redeeming Brady: A Fantasy Theme Analysis of Memes from the 2015 Deflategate Controversy,” Atlantic Journal of Communication, Vol. 27 (3), 2019, pp.153–68.
Mildred F. Perreault and Gregory Perreault. “Symbolic Convergence in the 2015 Duggar Scandal Crisis Communication,” Journal of Media and Religion, Vol. 18 (3), 2019, pp. 85–97.
Brian Simmons, “A Fantasy Theme Analysis of Ex-Christians' Online Deconversion Narratives,” Northwest Journal of Communication, Vol. 42, 2014, pp. 117-141.
Chris Underation, “Seeding the Vision: Symbolic Convergence Theory and Aimee Semple McPherson,” Atlantic Journal of Communication, Vol. 20, 2012, pp. 274-289.
Fred Vultee, “Man-Child in the White House: The Discursive Construction of Barack Obama in Reader Comments at foxnews.com,” Journalism Studies, Vol. 13, 2012, pp. 54-70.
Cross-cultural applications of SCT
Verónica Calvillo, “Symbolic Convergence in Bracero Corrido Narratives,” Aztlan, Vol. 42, 2017, pp. 99-126.
Mohammed Hossain, Md. Tarikul Islam, Mahmood Ahmed Momin, Shamsun Nahar, and Md. Samsul Alam. “Understanding Communication of Sustainability Reporting: Application of Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT),” Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 160 (2), 2019, pp. 563–86.
John L. Marambio and Chad Tew, “Clash in Paradise: A Fantasy Theme Analysis of A Day Without a Mexican,” Journal of American Culture, Vol. 29, 2006, pp. 475-492.
Elaine McKewon, “Talking Points Ammo: The Use of Neoliberal Think Tank Fantasy Themes to Delegitimise Scientific Knowledge of Climate Change in Australian Newspapers,” Journalism Studies, Vol. 13, 2012, pp. 277-297.
Mei Wu and Wen-bo Zhu, “Rise of China or Western Conspiracy? A Fantasy Theme Analysis,” China Media Research, Vol. 13, 2017, pp. 23-36.
Demi Simi and Jonathan Matusitz, “War Rape Survivors of the Second Congo War: A Perspective from Symbolic Convergence Theory,” Africa Review, Vol. 6, 2014, pp. 81-93.
Emil B. Towner, “Transcripts of Tragedy and Truths: An Analysis of Rwanda's Genocide Trial Documents,” Atlantic Journal of Communication, Vol. 23, 2015, pp. 284-297.
Flow theory
Karen Beard. “Theoretically Speaking: An Interview with Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on Flow Theory Development and Its Usefulness in Addressing Contemporary Challenges in Education.” Educational Psychology Review 27 (2), 2015, pp. 353–64
Dwight C. K. Tse, Helene H. Fung, Jeanne Nakamura, and Mihaly Csikszentmihaly. “Teamwork and Flow Proneness Mitigate the Negative Effect of Excess Challenge on Flow State,” Journal of Positive Psychology, Vol. 13 (3), 2018, pp. 284–89.
Other teaching ideas
Justin D. Walton, "‘Eleven of Us Think He's Guilty’: Utilizing ‘12 Angry Men’ to Teach Symbolic Convergence Theory,” Communication Teacher, Vol. 35, 2021, pp. 299-303.
Britney Gilmore and Michael W. Kramer. “We Are Who We Say We Are: Teachers’ Shared Identity in the Workplace,” Communication Education, Vol. 68 (1), 2019, pp. 1–19.
You can access Further Resouces for a particular chapter in several ways:
- Switch to View by Theory, then select the desired theory/chapter from the drop-down list at the top of the page. Look in the list of available resources.
- To quickly find a theory by chapter number, use the Table of Contents and link from there. It will take you directly to the theory with available options highlighted.
- You can also use the Theory List, which will take you directly to the theory with available options highlighted.
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