The Communication Process

The Communication

ProcessSection 5.1

Communication is an exchange of information between two or more people. It is a two-way process that involves both sending and receiving messages.Sender transmits or sends the messageReceiver hears and interprets the messageGood communication occurs when the sender of the message and the receiver end up with a shared meaning about the message.

Types of CommunicationNonverbal communication is a way of sending and receiving messages without using words.Verbal communication is the use of words to send and receive messages.As you become more aware of how you send messages to others, you can begin to develop better communication skills.

Nonverbal Communication

Developing your nonverbal skills are important1. You become aware of the nonverbal messages

you send and receive2. You can learn to send clearer nonverbal

messages3. Your actions need to support the words you say

otherwise this will lead to confusion

Nonverbal Communication

Body language involves sending message through body movements. Through body language, people can express their thoughts, feelings and emotions.1. Facial Expressions2. Gestures3. Body Motions

What are some examples of body language that could be interpreted in different ways, depending on your cultural background.

Verbal CommunicationYour environment influences the words your use and the way you use them to express yourself.Word meanings may vary from one part of the country to another, or from one culture to another.Your tone of voice can change the meaning of the word

Verbal CommunicationCommunicating well with others begins with you. By developing your skills in expressing yourself, you will send clearer messagesDeveloping your listening skills is an equally important part of communication. To be a good listener, you need to develop your skills in active listening

Expressing Yourself“I-statements are used to express your thoughts, feelings, and ideas and can help you speak for yourself—from your point of viewI-statements give you responsibility and control over what you communicate to others.

Types of I-statementsDescriptive

Used to report what you have seen or heardDescribe information taken in through your senses

“I see the scale reads 135 pounds”“I smell smoke”

ThoughtStart with words such as “I think,” “I wonder,” or “I believe”Tell others how you interpret what you have seen or heard

“I wonder if it will rain today.”“I believe I am gaining weight.”

FeelingLet others know how you feel

“I feel discouraged because I failed the test”“I feel worried that it will rain during the ball game”

IntentionLet others know what you want to doStart with words such as “I want” or “I wish”

“I want to pass this course.”“I wish I could lose some weight.”

ActionLet others know what you are doing now, have done in the past, or will do in the future.Use action verbs

“I studied two hours last night”“I plan to memorize that information before the test”

Avoid You-statementsAttack the person, not the problemAttack the senders self-esteemThe receiver may respond in a defensive mannerThey may feel that his or her thoughts, opinions and feelings are unimportant.

Receiving MessagesPassive Listening- they hear words without always listening for meanings

Don’t know if the message was understood

Active Listening-when you give the sender some type of sign that you are listening

Giving feedback shows that you are listening and encourages the sender to keep talkingChecking out means using questions to clarify a message. Ex- “Did you say that his car is wrecked?”Reflecting you repeat in your own words what you think has been said

Keys to Good ListeningShow interest in what the other person is saying by sitting forward and using eye contactTry to block out interruptionsLet the sender complete his or her thoughtsAccept the sender’s ideas and feelingsUse good verbal skills in giving feedback. Ask questions, reflect feelings, or restate an idea when appropriateControl your nonverbal messages. Make sure that they are positive and reinforce your commentsBe aware of strong emotions. Understand that they can affect a message’s clarity, and the way that you might respond.Don’t let silence make you nervous. Silence provides time for both people to think about what was said

Factoring Affecting

Communication

Section 5.2

Your Self-EsteemSelf-esteem is an important factor in the way messages are sent or received.People with low self-esteem have more problems communicating effectively. They may not be quite sure of their own feelings.Sharing thoughts and feelings with another person is a good way to build self-esteem.

Negative Communication Patterns

Lying is a negative communication pattern in which people are not honest. They do not share observations, thoughts and feelings in an accurate way.Blaming is a pattern in which people accuse other for everything that goes wrong.

Placating is a pattern of communication in which people will say or do something just to please others or keep them from getting upset. Going along with the crowd is easier for people with low self-esteemDistracting is when people just ignore unpleasant situations. They may put the issue aside as not really being important.

When a friend is using a negative communication pattern, how could you respond to help improve your

friend’s self-esteem?

Your Emotional StateBefore trying to communicate, you need to recognize your emotional state. Intense emotions get in the way of sharing complex thoughts and ideas. If your emotions are intense let the other person know you need time to sort your emotions out.

Your EnvironmentThe times of day or the amount of time you have can make a difference.Avoid busy and noisy environmentsFatigue or illness can keep a person from showing interestDistance between the two who are communicating makes it harder to interpret body language and nonverbal signals

Communicating via the internet or even over a phone makes it hard to get a complete picture of the sender’s total message.

What are some common items used to communicate in today’s society? How do you

think current technology affects a person’s ability to fully understand and interpret

another’s message?

Communication BarriersPeople with closed minds shut out or ignore opinions and beliefs that are different from their own.Prejudice occurs when a person forms opinions about others without complete knowledge of facts.

How can you overcome communication barriers?Keep an open mindAvoid mixed messagesOvercome prejudice other other by asking questions and getting all the facts before forming an opinionPractice active listening when others speak. Do not let your mind wander. Respond only when the speaker is finished and it is your turn

Gender and

Communication

Quiz Time!!!True or False

Women search for the meaning behind words more than men.

TRUE

When men and women are together in a group women talk more than men.

FALSE

Women use more direct eye contact than men.

TRUE

Men, more than women, take the initiative to start and maintain conversations.

FALSE

Women ask more questions than men ask.

TRUE

Women ask for assistance more frequently than men do.

TRUE

Men use less confrontational body language than women.

FALSE

When listening, women appear to be more attentive.

TRUE

Females dominate public discussions more than men.

FALSE

Males interrupt women more frequently than women interrupt men.

TRUE

Goals during TalkingMales view talking as a competitionFemales view talking as a way to connect with people.

How do you think this creates differences when males and females try to communicate?

Women try to get closer through conversation and men want to win the conversation.

“It’s Complicated”Literal-take words at face valueImplied- reading between the lines

Describe (tell all about) a time when what you were saying was taken out of context or misconstrued.

Questions in ConversationsMales often see questions as a literal request for an answer.

Females often use questions to start conversations.

5 ways Men and Women’s Speech Patterns Differ

Tag endings are questions tagged on to the end of sentences. They make speakers

appear more unsure of themselves.

SHE: “That test was tough, wasn’t it?”HE: “That test was tough!”

Upward inflections is a rising intonation at the end of a sentence that gives a sense of uncertainty. Making a statement, as a statement sounds authorative.

She: “My neighbor played his stereo all night, so I didn’t get any sleep?”

He: “My neighbor played his stereo all night so I didn’t get any sleep.”

Emotional verbs- women use more emotional verbs, such as, “I feel…I love…I hope..”

She: “I love the student evaluation form you designed. I feel the report should be laid out using excel.”

He: “The student evaluation form you designed is excellent. The report should be laid out using excel.”

Qualifiers are words like “a bit” and “kind of”“Third quarter seems a bit long”

Quantifiers such as “always, never, all or none” sound more confident, less tentative.

“The third quarter always seems so long”

Disclaimers is a phrase at the beginning of a sentence that weakens the following statement.

“I’m not sure but…”

Hedge weakens an idea by including words:“Maybe” and “Sort of”

Skills for Conflict

ResolutionSection 5.3

Conflict occurs when any two people disagree on the same issue. Some conflict is a normal part of most relationships. Even when people attempt to communicate clearly, conflict can occur.Conflict occurs for many reasons, it is often due to different personal values.People often respond to a disagreement by arguing.

Arguing is a negative form of communication and is used to protect their self-esteem. It attacks the person not the problem.Name-calling and blaming are two types of You-Statements. Both are destructive to a relationship as they create more hostility. The real conflict is left unresolved.

In what ways would conflict be harmful to a relationship?

Steps to Resolving Conflicts

Conflict Resolution is one skill that can help you resolve conflicts in a positive way. Using this skill builds relationships.

Steps to Resolving Conflict1. Identify the problem2. Identify who owns the problem3. Accept ownership of the problem4. Solve the problem

1. Identify the Problem• Use good communication, I-statements and active

listening• Take time to analyze and identify the real problem

2. Identify who owns the problem• Problem Ownership is the person bothered by

the situation owns the problem. • If the problem affects or disturbs more than one

person, both people share ownership jointly.

3. Accept Ownership of the Problem• If two people own the problem, they must work

together to find a solution. • Sometimes only one person accepts the

responsibility for a joint problem. In this case it can be difficult to reach a solution that is fair to both people.

4. Solve the Problem• Negotiation is a communication process in which

people alternate between sending and receiving messages

• Reach an agreeable solution• Keeping open communication• Compromise is a give-and-take method that allows

both people to express themselves. It is an effective way to resolve conflict

When Problem Solving you need to:Identify the ProblemIdentify the alternative solutionsEvaluate the alternativesChoose the best solutionImplement the solutionEvaluate the solution. Was it effective in solving the problem?

Activity: Think It Through on pg 123