communication4
Write a 300 word main post that responds to each question below. Does not include reference.
Chapter 4 discussed some of the ways in which language usage and verbal communication differs from person to person.
Questions to Answer:
- Contrast your use of language with that of someone else you know. Using at least two concepts about verbal messages from the chapter, what are the differences between your use of language and theirs?
Concepts from the chapter that can be used include, but are not limited to:
1) onymous vs. anonymous
2) assertiveness vs. nonassertiveness
3) disconfirmation vs. confirmation
4) sexist speech
5) polarization
6) static evaluation
7) any other concepts from the chapter you find relevant - What challenges are presented when different verbal communication styles are used? How can those challenges be resolved?
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Chapter Four:
Verbal Messages
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Learn the nature and principles of verbal
messages
Learn to use verbal messages more effectively
Distinguish between confirming and
disconfirming language
Learn to avoid sexism, heterosexism, racism,
ageism, and understand appropriate cultural
identifiers
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Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Eight Principles of Verbal
Messages
1. Message meanings are in people
2. Messages are denotative and connotative
3. Messages vary in abstraction
4. Messages can deceive
5. Messages vary in politeness
6. Messages can be onymous or anonymous
7. Message vary in assertiveness.
8. Messages are influenced by culture/gender.
To discover the meaning a person is trying to
communicate, you must look into the person
as well as the words
As you change, you also change the
meanings of your past messages
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Messages Are Denotative and
Connotative
Denotative meanings are objective or
dictionary definitions
Connotative meanings are more subjective
and emotional meanings
Snarl and purr words (coined by semanticist
S.I. Hawakowa), highly positive or negative
terms are considered connotative
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Abstractions are general concepts; they
conjure up many images in listener’s minds
Less abstract words, which are more specific
and precise, are usually more effective in
getting your point across
Entertainment Film American Film Classic American films Casablanca
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The act of sending messages with the
intention of giving another person information
you believe to be false
There are different types of lies (pro-social,
self-enhancement, selfish-deception, and
antisocial deception)
Liars tend to exhibit certain behaviors
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Direct messages are usually less polite than
indirect ones
Indirect messages allow you to express a
desire without insulting or offending someone
Politeness differs between genders
Netiquette provides guidelines for politeness
in computer-mediated communication
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Messages Can Be Onymous or
Anonymous
Onymous messages have a clearly defined
author
Anonymous messages are messages where
the author is not identified
– These messages allow people to express their
inner feelings more freely
– This might encourage some to go to extremes
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Assertiveness is the willingness to stand up
for your rights but with respect for the rights
of others
– Describe the problem
– State how the problem affects you
– Propose workable solutions
– Confirm understanding
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Copyright ©2014, 2011, 2008
Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Messages Are Influenced by Culture
and Gender
Culture
Messages are culturally
influenced
The principle of
cooperation
The principle of
peaceful relations
The principle of self-
denigration
The principle of
directness
Gender
Verbal messages
reflect considerable
gender influences
Example:
disagreements
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Disconfirmation
A communication pattern
in which one ignores the
other person’s presence
and communication
Rejection is not the same
things as disconfirmation;
you still accept the other
person’s significance
Confirmation
A communication
pattern in which one
acknowledges the other
person’s presence and
attends to his/her
communication
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Disconfirmation and Confirmation
cont…
Confirmation
Acknowledge presence and
contribution of other
Make nonverbal contact
Demonstrate understanding
of words and feelings
Ask questions
Encourage the other person
to express thoughts and
feelings
Disconfirmation
Ignore presence and
indifferent to messages
Make no nonverbal contact
Jump to interpret and
evaluate messages
Talk about self
Interrupt; make it hard for
other’s expression
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Carrie’s boyfriend of seven years left her
and married another woman. Carrie
confides this to Samantha.
What would she say if responding
with disconfirmation?
with rejection?
with confirmation?
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Puts down, minimalizes, and marginalizes a
group based on their race
Often subtle or unintended
Avoid derogatory terms for members of a race
Avoid mentioning race when it is irrelevant
Avoid attributing individual’s economic or
social problems to the his or her race
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Derogatory language used against gays or lesbians
Avoid offensive parodies and nonverbal mannerisms
Avoid “complimenting” gay men and lesbians that
they “don’t look it”
Avoid assuming that every gay male or lesbian
knows what every other gay male or lesbian is
thinking
Stay clear of making overattributions
Remember and celebrate relationship milestones
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Ageist
Prejudice against other
age groups
General disrespect for
older people
Age restrictions in
certain occupations
Sexist
Generic “man”
Generic “he” and “his”
Sex role stereotyping
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Race and nationality
Affectional orientation
Age
Sex
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Principles for Using Verbal Messages
Effectively
Avoid intensional orientation
Avoid allness
Distinguish between facts and
inferences
Avoid indiscrimination
Avoid polarization
Avoid static evaluation
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Extensionalize: Avoid Intensional
Orientation
Intensional orientation – Viewing people,
objects, or events in the way they are talked
about or pre-labeled
Extensional orientation – Look first at the
actual people, objects, or events and then
apply labels
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Allness thinking – Putting into “all” or “never”
categories
Recognize that there is always more to learn
about something
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Distinguish between Facts and Inferences:
Avoid Fact Inference Confusion
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Discriminate Among:
Avoid Indiscrimination
Indiscrimination: A form of stereotyping,
failing to distinguish between similar but
different people
Solution: See the individual apart from the
group
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Talk about the Middle:
Avoid Polarization
Polarization: Tendency to see the world in
extremes, similar to the either-or fallacy
Solution: Search for the middle ground
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Update Messages:
Avoid Static Evaluation
Static Evaluation: When you hold on to
judgments about people and ignore they’ve
changed
Solution: Look at statements in context of
time
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Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
- Eight Principles of Verbal Messages
- Messages Are Denotative and Connotative
- Messages Can Be Onymous or Anonymous
- Messages Are Influenced by Culture and Gender
- Disconfirmation and Confirmation cont…
- Principles for Using Verbal Messages Effectively
- Extensionalize: Avoid Intensional Orientation
- Distinguish between Facts and Inferences: Avoid Fact Inference Confusion
- Discriminate Among: Avoid Indiscrimination
- Talk about the Middle: Avoid Polarization
- Update Messages: Avoid Static Evaluation
Chapter Four Goals
Messages Are in People
Messages Vary in Abstraction
Messages May Deceive
Messages Vary in Politeness
Messages Vary in Assertiveness
Disconfirmation and Confirmation
Skill Development Experience
Racist Speech
Heterosexist Speech
Ageist and Sexist Speech
Cultural Identifiers
See the Individual: Avoid Allness
End Show