Relevance theory

Definition

Relevance theory is a cognitive approach to communication that suggests that individuals interpret messages based on the principle of maximizing relevance, meaning they seek information that is most pertinent to their needs and goals. This theory emphasizes that people process information by considering both the cognitive effort required and the potential benefits of understanding a message, which connects directly to implicature and meaning in communication.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Relevance theory was developed by cognitive scientists Dan Sperber and Deirdre Wilson, who challenged traditional views on communication and meaning.
2. According to relevance theory, speakers aim to provide information that their audience will find relevant, while listeners assess the relevance of the information presented.
3. The theory posits that communication is effective when it balances minimal effort with maximum informative payoff for the receiver.
4. Relevance is not static; it can change based on context, background knowledge, and individual goals, affecting how messages are interpreted.
5. Relevance theory also addresses how implicatures arise through context, suggesting that what is implied can be as significant as what is explicitly stated.

Review Questions

• How does relevance theory enhance our understanding of implicature in communication?
  • Relevance theory enhances our understanding of implicature by proposing that people derive implied meanings based on the relevance of information to their context and needs. Rather than just relying on literal meanings, speakers and listeners engage in a process where they weigh the cognitive effort against the potential gain from interpreting an implicature. This allows for richer communication where nuances are understood through the shared cognitive environment between participants.
• Discuss the role of cognitive environment in relevance theory and its impact on communication.
  • The cognitive environment plays a crucial role in relevance theory as it shapes how individuals interpret messages. Each person's background knowledge, beliefs, and assumptions influence what they consider relevant when processing information. As a result, effective communication relies on aligning the speaker's intent with the listener's cognitive environment, ensuring that the conveyed message resonates with the audience's existing knowledge and expectations.
• Evaluate the implications of relevance theory for understanding communicative intention in modern digital communication platforms.
  • Evaluating the implications of relevance theory for modern digital communication platforms reveals important insights into how people share and interpret information online. In environments like social media where brevity and immediacy are key, communicative intention is often inferred rather than explicitly stated. Users rely heavily on contextual cues to assess relevance quickly, impacting how messages are crafted and understood. This shift underscores the need for clear context to ensure that intended meanings are effectively conveyed in an increasingly complex communication landscape.

Related terms

Implicature: Implicature refers to what is suggested or implied in a conversation without being explicitly stated, often relying on context and shared knowledge.

Communicative intention: Communicative intention is the purpose behind an utterance, guiding how a speaker conveys a message and how a listener interprets it.

Cognitive environment: Cognitive environment encompasses the set of assumptions, beliefs, and knowledge that individuals draw upon when interpreting messages in communication.