Communication Ethics Flashcards
_______ play a vital role in communication. When we
communicate, we should consider how helpful or
harmful our words and actions are to others.
Ethics
is a systematic approach to analyzing and distinguishing what is right and wrong and what is good and bad.
Ethics–
_______ process of sending and receiving message through verbal or non-verbal means.
Communication
____________ is how one’s behavior is governed by one’s
morals and how this in turn affects the way we communicate to others.
Ethics of Communication
What Are the Four Methods of Ethical Reasoning?
- The Utilitarian Method
- The Deontological Method
- he Virtue Ethics Method
- The Feminist Ethics Method:
It is the “greatest good for the greatest number” approach. This method prompts us to carefully consider the potential consequences or outcomes of
our actions and choose the course of action that leads to the most positive impact for the majority of individuals involved.
The Utilitarian Method
______________: Following the Rules and Duties
focuses on the inherent moral duties and principles that guide our actions. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to universal moral rules or principles, regardless of the outcomes.
The Deontological Method
_______________: Cultivating Moral Virtues
centers on the development and cultivation of moral
virtues within ourselves. It encourages us to focus on personal character development and the embodiment of virtuous qualities (honesty, courage, wisdom). Instead of solely focusing on the consequences or rules, we strive to become better individuals with
admirable traits.
The Virtue Ethics Method
________________: Incorporating Care and Empathy
places a strong emphasis on care, empathy, and interpersonal relationships. It challenges traditional ethical theories by highlighting the importance of context and interconnectedness. This method prompts us to view ethics through a relational considering the impact of our actions on relationships and the well being of individuals involved.
The Feminist Ethics Method
Being honest means communicating what is known to be true to a listener, with no intent to deceive or present only parts of the truth. It also means being as objective as possible, that is, not tailoring the story based on what the speaker wants the listener to
believe.
BE TRUTHFUL AND HONEST
Hearing someone and listening to them are two different things. In order for ethical communication to be effective, it is necessary for the recipient to pro-actively listen to the speaker, and to not just hear what they want to hear, or to hear only parts of the
conversation.
ACTIVE LISTENING
Ethically and concisely communicating means speaking in a non-judgmental manner with every recipient, negating unnecessary conflict, which typically creates a breakdown in communication and causes misunderstandings.
SPEAK NON-JUDGMENTALLY
Bringing your personal experience into a dialogue with business listeners is important, providing backup for your arguments with something more tangible.
SPEAK FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE
You risk losing an audience if you use a communication channel that is not preferred by your intended receiver. To effectively communicate with your listeners, use the most preferred communication channel and medium, whether that be face-to-face, email, conference call, phone call, messenger app, etc.
CONSIDER THE RECEIVER’S PREFERRED
COMMUNICATION CHANNEL
While it is important to be proactive in listening, it is important for listeners to also strive to fully understand what is being said before responding. While asking for clarification or confirmation of a
point is fine, many times questions that listeners pose have already been answered.
STRIVE TO UNDERSTAND
Ethically communicating assumes the speaker will avoid rudeness, be polite and professional, and have tact. The ethical communicator knows that it’s not only important what you say, but how you say it. Tone is one of the most critical facets of communication.
AVOID A NEGATIVE TONE
Allowing others to speak is important for the creation of a civil, effective working environment. Interrupting others results in misunderstandings and unnecessary
conflicts and a breakdown in workplace communications, which only hinders corporate progress and creates problems
DO NOT INTERRUPT OTHERS
Most businesses should include a clause in their code of ethics defining what is appropriate when it comes to honoring client and employee confidentiality and privacy.
RESPECT PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
As an example, a core tenant within any ethical communication framework is taking responsibility
for the actions that result from one’s words, whether it be good or bad.
ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY
_____________ attack an individual, organization, or group using derogatory, insensitive, or inflammatory language. Includes abusive language and use of information to discredit. It is aggressive, harassing, and degrading.
Destructive communications
____________ abuse power to threaten or stifle others. Coercion can be communicated through implications, double binds or dead ends, or exclusion and silencing. Coercive communications involve the abuse of one’s position of authority or power to obtain goals by disempowering others from dissent. It is threatening, tyrannical, and stifling.
Coercive communications
___________ refer to those communications which manipulate and/or exploit the audience’s ignorance, prejudice, or fears around a topic to conceal important
information and affect audience opinions or actions to align with the writer’s.
Manipulative-exploitative
communications
_________________ is another form of unethical
communication characterized by misleading others like leaving out key information. While manipulation
involves withholding information to incite effects, deception involves concealing unflattering or immoral
behavior to diminish effects.
Deceptive communications
_________ remain silent or unresponsive on important topics. Secretive communications attempt to “sweep” indiscretions “under the rug,” either by omitting key information or refusing to discuss the topic. It is a sort of power play in which the author veils or buries important information. It is obscuring, omissive, and excluding of public input.
Secretive communications
