Exam 1 Flashcards
Why do we communicate?
- Relational Needs: Our need to be liked, and belong
- Physical Needs
- Spiritual Needs: What is life about? What’s bigger than us?
- Instrumental Needs: A practical tool to get things done.
What are the Characteristics of Communication?
- You cannot NOT communicate
- Meanings are in people (People interpret things differently), and not in words or behaviors.
- Communication is “Filtered”
- Communication is governed by words
- Communication = Relationship
- Communication relies on multiple channels (Verbal & Nonverbal)
- Communication is a tool
- Communication is irreversible
- Communication is not common sense
- Communication is learned
- Communication has both content and relational (nonverbal) meaning
- Communication is both intentional and unintentional
What is Interpersonal Communication?
Communication that occurs between two people within the context of their relationship and that, as it evolves, helps them to negotiate and define that relationship.
What brings us to an interaction?
- Involvement
- Proximity
- Utility
- Reinforcement
Communication is based on predictions at which 3 levels?
- Cultural/Societal
- Sociological/Groups
- Interpersonal
What is “Competent Communication”?
- Appropriateness: Follows Rules
- Effectiveness: Achieves Goals
What makes us Competent Communicators?
- Self-Awareness/Self-Monitoring
- Adaptability
- Empathy
- Cognitive Complexity
What is “Communication as Action”?
When a source encodes a message and attempts to send it through a channel. Despite any internal or external noise, the receiver then decodes the message.
What is “Communication as Interaction”?
When the situation that we’re in plays a role, and affects the way we are able to send and receive messages.
What is “Communication as Transaction”?
When we create meaning in an interaction. In a conversation, we come to an understanding together. Our communication shapes the overall message.
How can we Organize in order to Ensure Message Quality?
- Know your purpose
- Drop what’s unimportant
- “Chunk” What is important
- Use Redundancy (Give @ least 2 examples for any concept)
- Beware of Seductive Details
- Follow the “Tell-Show-Do-Respond” Method
- Repetition
- Focus on Schemas
- Ask Questions
What is Schema?
A Category System for storing information (Can be defined by hobbies, interests, studies, thoughts, etc.)
What is Culture?
A system of learned and shared symbols, language, values, and norms that distinguish one group of people from another.
What is a Symbol?
Something that represents an idea.
Note: Not all symbols are positive
What is Language?
A system of symbols.
What are Values?
Standards for judging how good, desirable and beautiful something is.
What are Norms?
Rules or expectations that guide people’s behavior in culture.
-Values are the goals, and norms are how we get there.
Individualism - Collectivism
Responsibility to oneself Vs. Responsibility to others
Low Context - High Context
Explicit Vs. Implicit - Stated Vs. Assumed
Low - High Power Distance
Who holds the power? How is the society structured? More hierarchical or more flat?
Masculine - Feminine
Masculine: Ambition, Achievement, Earning “Things”
Feminine: Quality of Life, Nurturance, Service.
Uncertainty Avoidance
How comfortable are people with the unknown, unclear and unstructured?
Monochronic - Polychronic
How do people treat me? Flexibility, Goals & Promptness.
What are the Communication Codes?
Idioms, Jargon & Gestures.
What is Idiom?
Phrases that have meaning particular to culture.
What is Jargon?
“Lingo” or Sub-Language
What are Gestures?
Body Movements
What is Gender?
Shifting Roles, Generally considering masculine and feminine attitudes and behaviors.
What is the Face Negotiation Theory?
The theory that we are very self-concerned when it comes to our personal attributes.
What is the Genderlect Styles Theory?
Says men and women live in different cultures, and because they’re different, they need to communicate in different ways.
What is the Muted Group Theory?
The theory that power is embedded in everything. Language is controlled by the majority group (men). Women’s speech is regulated to private space. There is no public space for them to be heard/have power.
What is Social Comparison?
Upward: Comparing yourself to people that you believe have better things and traits than you have.
Downward: Comparing yourself to people that you believe are below you in some way.
What is Self-Monitoring?
People that are self-aware of how their communication affects other people. These types of people tend to be more competent.