Evaluating Communication

The similarities between how I evaluated myself as a communicator and how my husband and co worker evaluated me as a communicator was surprising because they both knew me so well. The scores in each category were very similar to my own evaluation. They both knew my weaknesses and what I needed to work on.  As we discuss their score and my own score they were amaze at the similarities.

The two insights I gained about communication this week is First, the communication anxiety inventory gave me a explanation on why I feel a bit uneasy in some communication situation Second, the evaluation made me take a good look at the many things I need to work on as it relates to communication.

Communicating Differently

I haven’t had much experience with communicating with people of different cultures. I look forward to get the opportunity to work with people of different cultures in the very near future.

The three strategies that I will use when I get the opportunity to work with people of different cultures are:

1. Consider asking more question than I normally would if I were interacting face to face to clarify meanings and the interpretation of message

2. Use “small talk” and comments about the weather, what your typical day is like, and other low-level disclosures to build a relationship. Then look for reciprocal responses from your communication partner that indicate a relationship is naturally evolving.

3. I will summarize and paraphrase messages that you receive more often than you might normally, in order to increase the accuracy of message content.

Reference

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Blog Assignment: Week Two

The show I watched was Psych on the USA television network.

Watching the show without sound:

The relationship between the characters watching the show without the sound on seems to show that the two main characters were partners. One of the main characters through the body language seems to be the one doing all the talking. They were always together. One of the main characters seems confused about the statements the other one made from his facial expression. It seems through the non-verbal communication without the sound on that they had a great working relationship.

Watching the show with the sound on:

The two main characters were indeed partners. The main character Shawn was the one doing the most of the talking because he was a so-called psychic and he thought he had all the answers.  Gus was not confused but always gave funny facial expressions when Shawn spoke. Because Shawn and Gus were partners, they were always together. Watching the show with sounds, I observed even though one of main character talked constantly they had a great working relationship.

The assumptions I made was about the main character Gus who’s facial expressions seem to show he was confused about what his partner was saying. What I found interesting when watching the show with the sound on was that facial expression can mean many different things. That why people should never make assumption about what someone is saying because their facial expression may mean one thing but really mean something very different.

I think it would not have been fair to do a show you watch often. You know how the characters interact with one another. Therefore, with or without verbal communication you could figure out what is going on.

I learn through this assignment that you may or may not be able to read facial expressions, hand gestures, or other forms of non-verbal communication. This was a great experience. I enjoyed trying to figure out what the characters were saying without the sound on. I was amazed that I was able to figure some of the non-verbal communication when the sound was off and on.

Reference

Adapted from O’Hair & Wisemann, 2009. Real Communication. p.128.

Blog Assignment Week One

One of my undergraduate professors Dr. Oliver demonstrated competent communication within several courses I took under him. Dr. Oliver had a way of getting your attention and keeping it. He was passionate about his work and he loved lecturing. I always enjoyed his classes. Even though his class was a 6:00 to 9:30 evening class, I did not mind going because he kept my attention throughout the entire class. It was a joy listening to his lectures. Dr. Oliver successfully uses symbols, signs, and behaviors to exchange information to engage his students to want more and learn more (Hair & Wiemann, 20). Because of his effective communication as professor, he made me want to work harder and to become effective communicator who is able to reach other.

Reference

O’Hair, D, & Wiemann,  M. (2009). Real communication. New  York: Bedford/St. Martins.

            pp. 3-28.