Unit 1.5: The Systems Paradigm

Question 1

What is the role of silence in communication

Answer 1

It is portraying meaning despite not active communicative behaviour - disinterest, annoyance, avoidance, lack of knowledge etc

Question 2

What are 4 strategies for coping with undesired communication?

Answer 2

• Accept (though difficult to stop)
• Reject (potentially costly)
• Disqualify (invalidate message)
• Justify impossibility to communicate (i cannot hear you)

Question 3

What is the definition of disqualify?

Answer 3

communicating in a way that INVALIDATES THE MESSAGE - saying something that means nothing.
Affirming while denying.

Question 4

What are the 2 levels of of communication?

Answer 4

Plane of content
Plane of relationship

Question 5

What is the plane of content?

Answer 5

Specifies CONTENT of the message
- referential level that conveys info

Question 6

What is the plane of relationship?

Answer 6

Specifies the KIND of message
- conative level that induces behaviours

Question 7

How are the 2 levels of communication interrelated?

Answer 7

Conversations build relationships and relationships constitute how conversations are interpreted

Question 8

3 ways to respond to a relationship proposal?

Answer 8

1. Acceptance (i see you that way)
2. Rejection (i do not see you that way)
3. Disconfirmation (you do not exist)

Question 9

HOw does communication function in a pathological relationship? (in terms of plane of content / relationship)

Answer 9

The content is lost as members place more focus on the nature of the relationships

Question 10

How does communication function in a spontaneous & healthy relationship?

Answer 10

relational aspects of communication recede into background (less necessary)

Question 11

What is a digital code?

Answer 11

Conventional, sign-referent relationship is arbitrary (random), discrete units (detachable)

Question 12

What is an analogic code?

Answer 12

Inherent, sign-referent relationship is necessary (prev. knowledge needed), continuous, intuitive, emotional impact

Question 13

Which code (digital/analogic) is best for communicating on the content plane?

Answer 13

Digital
Because it is more accurate (due to less space for interpretation)

Question 14

Which code (digital/analogic) is best for communicating on the relationship plane?

Answer 14

Analogic
Because it is expressive & emotional - open for intuition

Question 15

What is the punctuation of sequence?

Answer 15

How participants of the relationship interpret the SEQUENCE/ ORDER OF communicative events
Disagreement can create problems

Question 16

What is Schismogenesis?

Answer 16

Differentiation in individual behaviour resulting from cumulative interactions between individuals (e.g one member speaks loud, another quiet. The quiet member may speaker louder or vice versa)

Question 17

What is a symmetrical relationship?

Answer 17

When there is equality and the behaviour of one member induces a similar reaction in another

Question 18

What is a complementary relationship?

Answer 18

When there is difference and the behaviour of one member induces a complementary reaction in other.

Question 19

What is a potential limitation of a symmetrical relationship?

Answer 19

Symmetrical escalation: both members choose progressive escalation
Competition

Question 20

What is a potential limitation of a complementary relationship?

Answer 20

role rigidity
Risk of disconfirmation of self-definition other than one fitting the role