Communications theory, also referred to as communication studies or media studies, is the study of how information is transmitted and received among people, groups, and organizations. Some synonyms for this field of study include telecommunication theory, mass communication theory, or information theory. These synonyms highlight the various aspects of communication that are studied, such as the technology used to transmit information, the way mass media influences society, or the mathematical principles behind signal processing. Regardless of the synonym used, the importance of communications theory lies in its ability to help people better understand and improve the way we communicate with each other.