Communication

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Associate Level Material

Introduction to Communication Worksheet

Paragraph Questions

Answer the following questions in your own words. Each response must be written as an academic paragraph of at least 150 words. Be clear and concise, and provide explanations for your answers. Format your sources consistent with APA guidelines.

1. According to Introducing Communication Theory (2010), what is the definition of communication? What does communication mean to you personally? Provide an example.

The text describes communication as a social process in which individuals employ

symbols to establish and interpret meaning in their environment. Communication is a very

important aspect in the career that I am in. As a law enforcement officer it is our life line, we must

be able to communicate with each other in order stabilize a dangers decision, or to simply receive

assistance from our fellow officers when needed. Communication is so imperative within law

enforcement that when we train new officers we have what we call the crucial seven. It is seven

of the essential aspects that a police officer must be able to master prior to being able to work on

his own, and maintain his job. Two of the seven categories fall under communication, new

officers have been failed out of the program, and other officers have been disciplines because of

their lack of good communication skills. In essence what I am saying is that communication for

me is a “life line” that is not to be taken lightly.

2. Describe the differences between linear, interactional, and transactional communication. The text describes Linear communication as a one-way view of communication that assumes a message is sent by a source to a receiver through a channel (Communication theory, 2010). Some examples of Linear communication would be a letter or an email. Interactional communication is a view of communication as the sharing of meaning with feedback that links source and receiver (Communication theory, 2010). An example of Interactional communication would be forms of social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Transactional communication is a view of communication as the simultaneous sending and receiving of messages (Communication theory, 2010). An example of transactional communication would be face to face communication. The texted states that defining communication can be difficult due to conceptualizations of communication have been abundant and have changed substantially over the years (Pg 4.). The text also states that it is like a piece of luggage, it is overstuffed with all manner of odd ideas and meanings (Communication theory, 2010).

3. Why is communication critical to developing self-concept? Provide an example of how communication has helped you develop your self-concept. I believe the way we express ourselves in our communication is directly affected by the environment and surroundings we grow up in. I learned this when I moved from Pennsylvania to Georgia. When I first moved down here and began speaking to neighbors, coworkers and other acquaintances I soon learned, that the way I perceived myself and my personality was much different than how other people perceived me. I considered myself an outgoing and friendly person, but I had people here tell me I was short and came of as being condescending. I soon learned that it was a cultural thing; the way I acted and communicated up North was not accepted down South. I had to reevaluate my self-concept of the way I communicated if I wished to be able to acclimate myself to a new environment. I realized how big of a difference it was when I revisited Pennsylvania several years after moving down here, and was able to see the extreme differences in communication.

Myth or Reality?

Identify whether each of the following sentences is a myth or a reality. Explain your answers.

1. You communicate only when you consciously and deliberately choose to communicate.

Myth, I am a prime example to this because I have been told many times that my body mannerisms speak for themselves. My wife has told me she is able to tell what type of mood I am in by simply looking into my eyes.

2. Words do not mean the same things to the listener as they do to the speaker.

Reality, I say reality because in many occasions people can misconstrue something that you say. I made this mistake when speaking Spanish to woman that was from a different Spanish speaking country than I am. I unintentional offended her by utilizing a word that I believed to be one thing and she knew as another.

3. You communicate primarily with words.

Myth, false, false, false. I have heard many times that saying “if looks could kill” and let me tell you my ten year old is a prime example. I also can tell you that my children have broken my heart just by giving me a look, when they were sick, hurt or sad.

4. Nonverbal communication is not perceived solely through sight.

Reality,

5. Communication is not a one-way activity.

Myth, all though the majority of our communication is done between two or more people it is not uncommon to communicate with yourself. I learn by speaking to myself and quizzing myself, and I use self-esteem building techniques in order to reassure myself.

6. The message you send is identical to the message received by the listener.

Myth, as I stated in my response to words not meaning the same thing to the speaker as it does to the receiver, anything you say can be misconstrued by someone else. What you believe to be one thing in your message, may have different meaning to someone else.

7. You can never give someone too much information.

Reality, knowledge is power and with that power you can accomplish anything. When it comes to academic learning I believe this statement to be reality, but I do believe that in other aspects of life sometimes holding back information is the best option.

Matching

Match the seven contexts of communication with the appropriate definition by placing the letter of the definition in the blank.

1. ___ Interpersonal | a. Communication within and among large, extended environments | 2. _e__ Intrapersonal | a. Communication between and among members of different cultural backgrounds | 3. _c__ Group | b. Communication with a group of people | 4. ___ Public/Rhetorical | c. Communication to a large group of listeners | 5. ___ Organizational | d. Communication with oneself | 6. __b_ Intercultural | e. Communication to a very large audience through mediated forms | 7. __f_ Mass | f. Face-to-face communication between people |

Communication Theories

Match the communication theories with their descriptions by placing the letter of the description in the blank.

1. ____ Social penetration theory

2. ____ Communication accommodation theory

3. ____ Spiral of silence theory

4. ____ Relational dialectics theory 5. ____ Rhetoric/dramatism/narrative paradigm

6. ____ Muted group theory

7. _____ Communication privacy management theory

8. _____ Organizational culture theory

9. _____ Agenda-setting theory 10. _____ Face-negotiation theory

11. _____ Organizational information theory 12. _____ Symbolic interaction theory 13. _____ Cognitive dissonance theory 14. _____ Expectancy violations theory 15. _____ Groupthink

A. Explains why parties to communication experience conflicting pulls that cause relationships to be in a constant state of flux. The closer individuals become to one another, the more conflict arises to pull them apart.

B. Explains why certain groups in society are muted, which means they are either silent or not heard

C. Explains why, as relationships develop, communication moves from less intimate levels to more intimate, more personal levels

D. Explains why people tend to remain silent when they think their views are in the minority

E. Explains how organizations make sense of the information that is essential for their existence

F. Explains some of the reasons for changes to speech as individuals attempt to emphasize or minimize the social differences between themselves and their interlocutors

G. Explains that people are essentially storytellers who make decisions on the basis of good reasons. History, biography, culture, and character determine what people consider good reasons.

H. Explains the process that people use to manage the relationship between concealing and revealing private information

I. Explains meanings for routine organizational events, thereby reducing the amount of cognitive processing and energy members need to expend throughout the day

J. Explains that mass media has a major influence on audiences by choosing what stories are newsworthy and how much prominence and space to give them K. Explains how different cultures manage conflict and communication. The theory explains that the root of conflict is based on identity management on individual and cultural levels. L. Explains how individuals act toward things on the basis of the meanings they assign to them. The meaning comes from the social interaction individuals have with others and with society. M. Explains the tendency for individuals to seek consistency among their cognitions, such as beliefs and opinions. When there is an inconsistency between attitudes or behaviors (dissonance), something must change to eliminate the dissonance. In the case of a discrepancy between attitudes and behavior, it is most likely that the attitude will change to accommodate the behavior. N. Explains how people have expectations about the nonverbal behaviors of others. Violations of these expectations may trigger a change in the perception of exchange—either positively or negatively, depending on the relationship. O. Explains how individuals may withhold their opposing opinions to promote cohesiveness. Individuals may also withhold their opposing opinions because they fear rejection by the group.

Communication Theories and Contexts

Match the communication theories to their contexts by placing the letter of the context in the blank. Note. Letters may be used more than once.

A. Intrapersonal B. Interpersonal C. Group D. Organizational E. Public F. Intercultural G. Mass 1. ____ Social penetration theory 2. ____ Communication accommodation theory

3. ____ Spiral of silence theory

4. ____ Relational dialectics theory

5. ____ Rhetoric/dramatism/narrative paradigm

6. ____ Muted group theory 7. ____ Communication privacy management theory

8. ____ Organizational culture theory

9. ____ Agenda-setting theory

10. ____ Face-negotiation theory

11. ____ Organizational information theory 12. ____ Symbolic interaction theory 13. ____ Cognitive dissonance theory 14. ____ Expectancy violation theory