Divided into four sections, focuses on interpersonal interaction, especially the constitutive processes within everyday communication, and is intended to complement the mass media focus of Communication Yearbooks 15 and 16. The second section focuses on message characteristics and what messages do in interaction. Section III considers value and policy issues in light of the ubiquitous nature of communication media and cultural pluralism. The final section discusses the future of communication studies and its potential social contribution. Commentaries on each chapter provide alternative perspectives ont he state of current research, extend issues of significance and help engage the reader in the contemporary debates of each area.