Communication As Exhaling - Expressing And Disclosing TOPIC 5 Flashcards
The output or sending aspect of communication
▪ The titles of Stewart’s chapters draw attention to the fact that interactional contexts are co- constructed Both parties turn interaction contribute to the quality and progress of interaction turn by turn.
▪ The fact that we make meaning together means we need to become aware of and develop our competencies in both aspects (‘inhaling’ and ‘exhaling’)
▪ Communication framed as expressing and disclosing highlights both the power and vulnerability inherent in this aspect of communication
Self disclosure
▪ in self disclosure its importance to focus on the present
▪ There is a Two dimensional nature to our disclosure and that is breadth of disclosure and depth of disclosure.
▪ we need to think that in fact it Involves of facts and feelings so like all communications it functions on several levels, and it functions on these levels simultaneously.
▪ The words and the content of what we say, and the feeling involved in what we say
Self disclosure ( continued)
▪Inherent in the notion of self disclosure is the notion for reciprocity
▪we somehow expect with our little disclosures, they will be met with disclosures form the other party the other person we are interacting with.
▪ Disclosure is one way in which we negotiate relationships with others this negotioan takes place little by little, turn by turn.
▪Like all communication it comes with both benefits and cautions
How does self disclosure impact relationships?
▪ We use self disclosure in initiating, building and maintaining relationships
▪ Johnson notes ‘If you cannot reveal yourself you cannot become close to others’ (p212)
▪ another thing we need to consider is thatdisclosure does not simply proceed along a linear path
▪ It ebbs and flows according to for instance: levels of trust we have in the person that we are talking with, It ebbs and flows according to the respect with that person and they have with us, and ebbs and flows according to reciprocal disclosure…in other words if we find there is no disclosure forthcoming from the other person we are likey to stop disclosing to.
▪ self disclosure can make us more aware of ourselves and of our own feelings as well as the qualities and feelings of others
Self disclosure is also cumulative
In both professional and personal sense relationships self disclosure can:
▪ Help us to identify common goals
▪ Can and does help us work together to accomplish them
▪ Helps us to maintain and further develop the relationships we have in the workplace and in our daily lives.
▪ The absence of disclosure however can lead to deterioration of relationships when there is no reciprocal disclosure there’s no disclosure from the other person we quite quickly stop disclosing ourselves. That usually reflects on the relationship going no further and usually going backwards as well…deteriorates.
As with most aspects of communication there are benefits and cautions of self disclosure
Benefits can include as mentioned - the
development and maintenance of relationships but also:
▪ Impacts on the quality of relationships which is very important.
▪ Helps in validating our perceptions or reality because it reflects them back from the other person and the other person responses.
▪ Contributes to our self-awareness and self understanding
▪ Provides a certain freedom to express feelings and reactions
▪ Allows us to manage our social interaction
▪ Helps in our management of stress and adversity
▪ Fulfils our human need to be known and accepted
Self disclosure - cautions
▪ It is important to achieve a balance in self disclosure
▪ This does not mean everyone should disclose the same amount and type of information
▪ Rather that we should disclose neither too much nor too little – disclosure that we make should be appropriate to the interaction and the context
How can/do we manage self presentation
▪ We need to acknowledge that there are many different aspects of ourselves
▪ We consciously and/or unconsciously reveal or display different aspects to different audiences in different social contexts
▪ Johnson refers to two basic motives: ➢‘self-representation’ in which we work to shape
the opinions others have of us
➢‘self verification’ – the ways in which we work to have others perceive us as we perceive ourselves
Speaking with clarity and powe
▪ Difficult conversations won’t succeed until both persons clearly express themselves.
▪ Overall goal is clarity rather than eloquence. You are entitled to be hears just as the other person is.
▪ Feel entitled and encouraged. Not obligated.