Communication Theory

Aims & Scope

Communication Theory is an international forum publishing high quality, original research into the theoretical development of communication from across a wide array of disciplines, such as communication studies, sociology, psychology, political science, cultural and gender studies, philosophy, linguistics, and literature.

A journal of the International Communication Association, Communication Theory especially welcomes work in the following areas of research, all of them components of ICA: Communication and Technology, Communication Law and Policy, Ethnicity and Race in Communication, Feminist Scholarship, Global Communication and Social Change, Health Communication, Information Systems, Instructional/Developmental Communication, Intercultural Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Journalism Studies, Language and Social Interaction, Mass Communication, Organizational Communication, Philosophy of Communication, Political Communication, Popular Communication, Public Relations, Visual Communication Studies, Children, Adolescents and the Media, Communication History, Game Studies, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies, and Intergroup Communication.

The journal aims to be inclusive in theoretical approaches insofar as these pertain to communication theory.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	6.2
2024	4.70

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	2.316

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	102

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	1093

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	776

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Presence, Explicated

  Citation: 1211

  Authors: Kwan Min

• An Explication of Social Norms

  Citation: 1014

  Authors: Maria Knight, Rajiv N.

• Political Communication in Media Society: Does Democracy Still Enjoy an Epistemic Dimension? The Impact of Normative Theory on Empirical Research

  Citation: 954

  Authors: Jürgen

• Toward a Theory of Entertainment Persuasion: Explaining the Persuasive Effects of Entertainment-Education Messages

  Citation: 933

  Authors: Emily

• Social Identity, Self-Categorization, and the Communication of Group Norms

  Citation: 838

  Authors: Michael A., Scott A.

• Understanding Media Enjoyment: The Role of Transportation Into Narrative Worlds

  Citation: 771

  Authors: Melanie C., Timothy C., Geoff F.

• Reinforcing Spirals: The Mutual Influence of Media Selectivity and Media Effects and Their Impact on Individual Behavior and Social Identity

  Citation: 734

  Authors: Michael D.

• Interpersonal Deception Theory

  Citation: 729

  Authors: David B., Judee K.

• Using Theory to Design Effective Health Behavior Interventions

  Citation: 688

  Authors: Martin, Marco C.

• Communication Theory as a Field

  Citation: 676

  Authors: Robert T.

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