Walter Fisher (professor)

Walter Fisher (1931-2018) was an American communication theorist and professor emeritus at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California. He is best known for developing the narrative paradigm, a theory positing that humans are inherently storytellers and that narratives are the primary way we make sense of the world and communicate with each other.

Fisher's work challenges the traditional rational-world paradigm, which emphasizes logic, reason, and objective facts as the primary means of persuasion. He argued that all forms of communication, even seemingly rational arguments, are ultimately understood and evaluated through a narrative lens.

Key concepts associated with Fisher's narrative paradigm include:

• Narrative Rationality: A standard for judging the quality of narratives based on coherence and fidelity.

  • Coherence: Refers to the internal consistency of a story; does it make sense?
  • Fidelity: Refers to the truthfulness or believability of a story; does it resonate with the hearer's experience and values?

• Homo Narrans: A term Fisher used to describe humans as inherently narrative beings, emphasizing our tendency to understand and communicate through stories.

Fisher's narrative paradigm has had a significant impact on the field of communication studies, influencing research in areas such as rhetoric, persuasion, intercultural communication, and organizational communication. His work emphasizes the power of storytelling and its role in shaping our understanding of the world.