Cja 304 Effective Communication Research Paper
Effective Communication Paper
Kianna Harris
Prentice Tate
CJA/304
July 21, 2013
Communication can be simply defined as the act of transferring information from one place to another. (“What is Communication?”, 2011). It can also be defined as a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through common system of symbols or behavior. (Mathewson, 2009). Verbal and nonverbal communication are two forms of communication. The desired outcome or goal of either one of these forms of communication is understanding. Verbal, also known as spoken communication, consist of face-to-face, telephone, radio, television, or other media. Nonverbal communication consist of body language, gestures, how we dress or act, and even our …show more content…
scent. (“What is Communication?”, 2011). According to Jesse Mathewson, “Communication in general can be broken down into the following components: blaming, directing, persuading, and problem solving”. (Mathewson, 2009). There are various methods of approach to these ends within verbal communication. Verbal communication does not only involve speaking, it involves listening as well. According to Grubb Hemby, “Generally there are three purposes associated with either casual conversation or public speaking: to inform, to persuade, or to entertain”. (Mathewson, 2009). When a person is verbally trying to inform one of an incident, it is important to listen carefully. Studies have confirmed that we humans are inefficient listeners. It has been proven that the majority of the time, we only retain and fully process 50% of the information spoken to us. (Mathewson, 2009). Repeating and asking questions to the speaker about what has been said is a way to retain and process the information more. Also, if you are the speaker, it is important to leave out any unnecessary information, for it could confuse the listener. Many of these techniques can be applied to nonverbal communication as well. Body language can give off a lot signs when a person is speaking. You can tell by a person’s body language if they are upset, stressed, or even lying. If a person is in fear, or either is apprehensive about something, they will tend to lean away. Some may also cross their arms or have slight grimaces. Also, you can often times tell when a person is lying tend to unconsciously look away from the person that they are speaking to. (Mathewson, 2009). You can also tell how a person is feeling with written communication. For example, if you receive an email in all caps and explanation marks at the ends of almost every sentence, depending on its content, you can tell that the sender is excited, angry, or afraid. There is a big difference between listening and hearing. Listening means to take notice of an act on what someone says. It means to give ones attention to sound. Hearing is the sense by which sound is perceived. Yes, sound is being perceived in both listening and hearing, however, the two still differ. Hearing can take place with or without your consent. Karen Hellesvig- Gaskell stated that, “You can hear someone speak without listening to the words”. (Hellsvig-Gaskell, 2011). Hearing is a passive quality, so much so that it can even occur while you sleep. Listening, on the other hand, goes far beyond the natural hearing process. Listening means not only hearing the person who is speaking to you, but actually paying attention to the words that are being said with the intention to understand them. (Hellsvig-Gaskell, 2011). There are four basic levels of hearing and listening: * A non-listener- This is the type of listener who is totally preoccupied with his own personal thoughts. He hears the words, but does not listen to what is being said. * A passive listener- This is when a person hears the words, but does not fully absorb or understand them. * Listeners- Listeners pay attention pay attention to the speaker, but they only grasp some of the intended message. * Active listeners- These are those who are completely focused on the speaker and understand the meaning of the words without distortion. (Hellsvig-Gaskell, 2011).
A person can easily fall into one of these categories in different conversations. For example, a teenager could be a non-listener in school while the teacher is talking, but be an active listener while gossiping on the phone with friends. Listening is a major part of communication, and communication is one of the most valuable skills that we have.
In criminal justice, there are formal and informal channels of communication. The criminal justice system consists of police, corrections, and courts. The formal channels are the strict procedures defined by the policies of the organization. The informal channels consist of the undocumented sharing of information. (Sinclair, 2013). Formal channels of communication can be directed downward, upward, or horizontal. Downward formal communication is when directors send information to a lower level, and then the information will steadily be passed down to the lowest applicable subordinate. For example, a rule could be set by the warden, and be passed down first to the majors, then the lieutenants, then to the sergeants, and lastly, to the correctional officers. (Sinclair, 2013). Upward formal communication is when information from subordinates is passed up to the directors. Horizontal formal communication is when information is discussed within the same level of command. This channel is used for department problem solving, group projects, and resolving conflicts. Informal channels of communication are when employees, at any level, share information about what they heard. The most common informal channel of communication is the “grapevine”. The downside to this channel of communication is that information is not always passed on the same way as it was received. (Sinclair, …show more content…
2013). Inaccurate information going around is one of the barriers in communication. Another barrier in communication in the criminal justice organization is language.
Some victims, offenders, suspects, and witnesses speak different languages, and many criminal justice agencies find it hard t communicate with them. Things to help improve with language problems include machines that translate words, and also people. People who speak foreign languages are a big help to the justice system, especially if they can speak languages that are not commonly spoken here in the United
States.
References
"What is Communication?". (2011). Retrieved from http://www.skillsyouneed.com/general/what-is-communication.html Mathewson, J. (2009). "Effective Communication in Criminal Justice: Process, Components, and Various Types". Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/article/effective-communication-criminal-justice-components-and-various-types
Hellsvig-Gaskell, K. (2011). "Difference between Hearing and Listening Skills". Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/articles/83661-difference-between-hearing-listening/
Sinclair, C. (2013). "Formal and Informal Channels of Communication in the Criminal
Justice Field". Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_846247-formal-communication-criminal-justice-field.html
Kianna Harris
Prentice Tate
CJA/304
July 21, 2013
Communication can be simply defined as the act of transferring information from one place to another. (“What is Communication?”, 2011). It can also be defined as a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through common system of symbols or behavior. (Mathewson, 2009). Verbal and nonverbal communication are two forms of communication. The desired outcome or goal of either one of these forms of communication is understanding. Verbal, also known as spoken communication, consist of face-to-face, telephone, radio, television, or other media. Nonverbal communication consist of body language, gestures, how we dress or act, and even our …show more content…
scent. (“What is Communication?”, 2011). According to Jesse Mathewson, “Communication in general can be broken down into the following components: blaming, directing, persuading, and problem solving”. (Mathewson, 2009). There are various methods of approach to these ends within verbal communication. Verbal communication does not only involve speaking, it involves listening as well. According to Grubb Hemby, “Generally there are three purposes associated with either casual conversation or public speaking: to inform, to persuade, or to entertain”. (Mathewson, 2009). When a person is verbally trying to inform one of an incident, it is important to listen carefully. Studies have confirmed that we humans are inefficient listeners. It has been proven that the majority of the time, we only retain and fully process 50% of the information spoken to us. (Mathewson, 2009). Repeating and asking questions to the speaker about what has been said is a way to retain and process the information more. Also, if you are the speaker, it is important to leave out any unnecessary information, for it could confuse the listener. Many of these techniques can be applied to nonverbal communication as well. Body language can give off a lot signs when a person is speaking. You can tell by a person’s body language if they are upset, stressed, or even lying. If a person is in fear, or either is apprehensive about something, they will tend to lean away. Some may also cross their arms or have slight grimaces. Also, you can often times tell when a person is lying tend to unconsciously look away from the person that they are speaking to. (Mathewson, 2009). You can also tell how a person is feeling with written communication. For example, if you receive an email in all caps and explanation marks at the ends of almost every sentence, depending on its content, you can tell that the sender is excited, angry, or afraid. There is a big difference between listening and hearing. Listening means to take notice of an act on what someone says. It means to give ones attention to sound. Hearing is the sense by which sound is perceived. Yes, sound is being perceived in both listening and hearing, however, the two still differ. Hearing can take place with or without your consent. Karen Hellesvig- Gaskell stated that, “You can hear someone speak without listening to the words”. (Hellsvig-Gaskell, 2011). Hearing is a passive quality, so much so that it can even occur while you sleep. Listening, on the other hand, goes far beyond the natural hearing process. Listening means not only hearing the person who is speaking to you, but actually paying attention to the words that are being said with the intention to understand them. (Hellsvig-Gaskell, 2011). There are four basic levels of hearing and listening: * A non-listener- This is the type of listener who is totally preoccupied with his own personal thoughts. He hears the words, but does not listen to what is being said. * A passive listener- This is when a person hears the words, but does not fully absorb or understand them. * Listeners- Listeners pay attention pay attention to the speaker, but they only grasp some of the intended message. * Active listeners- These are those who are completely focused on the speaker and understand the meaning of the words without distortion. (Hellsvig-Gaskell, 2011).
A person can easily fall into one of these categories in different conversations. For example, a teenager could be a non-listener in school while the teacher is talking, but be an active listener while gossiping on the phone with friends. Listening is a major part of communication, and communication is one of the most valuable skills that we have.
In criminal justice, there are formal and informal channels of communication. The criminal justice system consists of police, corrections, and courts. The formal channels are the strict procedures defined by the policies of the organization. The informal channels consist of the undocumented sharing of information. (Sinclair, 2013). Formal channels of communication can be directed downward, upward, or horizontal. Downward formal communication is when directors send information to a lower level, and then the information will steadily be passed down to the lowest applicable subordinate. For example, a rule could be set by the warden, and be passed down first to the majors, then the lieutenants, then to the sergeants, and lastly, to the correctional officers. (Sinclair, 2013). Upward formal communication is when information from subordinates is passed up to the directors. Horizontal formal communication is when information is discussed within the same level of command. This channel is used for department problem solving, group projects, and resolving conflicts. Informal channels of communication are when employees, at any level, share information about what they heard. The most common informal channel of communication is the “grapevine”. The downside to this channel of communication is that information is not always passed on the same way as it was received. (Sinclair, …show more content…
2013). Inaccurate information going around is one of the barriers in communication. Another barrier in communication in the criminal justice organization is language.
Some victims, offenders, suspects, and witnesses speak different languages, and many criminal justice agencies find it hard t communicate with them. Things to help improve with language problems include machines that translate words, and also people. People who speak foreign languages are a big help to the justice system, especially if they can speak languages that are not commonly spoken here in the United
States.
References
"What is Communication?". (2011). Retrieved from http://www.skillsyouneed.com/general/what-is-communication.html Mathewson, J. (2009). "Effective Communication in Criminal Justice: Process, Components, and Various Types". Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/article/effective-communication-criminal-justice-components-and-various-types
Hellsvig-Gaskell, K. (2011). "Difference between Hearing and Listening Skills". Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/articles/83661-difference-between-hearing-listening/
Sinclair, C. (2013). "Formal and Informal Channels of Communication in the Criminal
Justice Field". Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_846247-formal-communication-criminal-justice-field.html