Writing Assignment: Explaining Problems Arising from Different

Writing Assignment: Explaining Problems Arising from Different Communication Styles
Scenario 1: Problems with a Food Order

Question for Scenario 1: What was it about what the woman said that got a positive response from the waitress when what the man said did not? The woman is taking ownership of her feelings as well as the man through her expression that the couple doesn’t like the crab cakes. The man seems to be pointing out a fact, the crab cakes don’t taste fresh. This ownership is able to get a different response from the waitress.
Scenario 2: Behavior after a Long, Hard Day at Work

Questions for Scenario 2: Why did the man and woman behave differently after both experienced a long, hard day at work? The man might feel that he is able to unwind after a long day of work by watching television. The woman on the other hand likes to use communication with others to help her dissect her day and unwind. How could either one of them behaved differently to create a more positive interaction? The conversation is happening while one party is trying to watch television. No one likes to be interrupted in the middle of Game of Thrones or Monday Night Football. Better communication could happen between the two if there were less to no distractions. The man might be speaking to the woman as if he were speaking to another man (PSU World Campus, 2013). This could cause the woman to feel disappointment and frustration. The woman wants to communicate her day with the man, and vice versa because she is attempting to show her feelings of sympathy and commitment. This conversation would work better with fewer distractions and at a possible set time. The woman could tell the man that she would like to hear about his day and encourage him to share his feelings.
Scenario 3: Conversation in a Car

Questions for Scenario 3: What went wrong? The first problem for scenario three is that the woman let the man drive. This should have been avoided at all costs. The second and more important issue is that the woman used an indirect request (PSU World Campus 2013). The woman asked the man if he was thirst, asking him what he wanted. When his expectations did not fall in line with hers she was left thirsty and frustrated. What could the woman have done differently that would have prevented the problem? The woman could have told the man that she was thirsty and would like to stop for a drink. She could have used a direct request and let the man know her needs instead of expecting him to have the same needs as her. What could the man have done differently? Generally people don’t ask another individual if they are thirsty unless they are hinting at their own thirst. The man missed this hint or queue of the woman’s thirst. If this happens again and he doesn’t want to stop, he should pack a large cooler full of soda – problem solved. Or he could realize that this is the way that his female companion conveys her needs and stop for a soda. He could also express to his friend that she should speak her needs in a clear manner that isn’t easily misinterpreted.

Scenario 4: Why Doesn 't He Stop and Ask for Directions?
Questions for Scenario 4: Why doesn’t he ask for directions at the gas station when he is clearly lost? The man might have had strict gender roles engrained in to him when he was a child. This in turn effects his direction asking ability. Perhaps he worries that asking for directions is a threat to his masculinity. Or he could enjoy long endless drives. What does he need to realize to avoid engaging in such self-defeating behavior? The woman seems to be offering feedback to her male companion. The behavior that he is using is not working, the man is clearly lost. In order to fix this problem the woman offers a suggestion of asking for directions. The man in turn becomes defensive because this feedback is not solicited nor wanted. The man should realize that the feedback is not criticizing his driving ability or sense of direction, only an attempt to get the car turned in the right direction. This is not an attack on the man’s character, it is only meant to be helpful (PSU World Campus, 2013). The woman could also be using a meta-message (PSU World Campus, 2013). She is offering to help the man, possibly because she cares about him and the price of gas. The man should not interpret this as a put-down or sympatric statement (PSU World Campus, 2013).
Scenario 5: Different Living Arrangements
Questions for Scenario 5: Why do the male and female professors show such different responses? Men and women communicate differently. This is seem within this scenario. The woman can see that the co-worker cares about her through this conversation. She is expressing sympathy and also acknowledging her coworkers feelings. The male might feel that the co-worker is offering sympathy and thus threatening his masculinity (PSU World Campus, 2013). Or perhaps he is a conscious fellow who feels like world problems like hunger, war, and the cost of living are more important than his living arrangements. He wants to put this into perspective and thus comes out with the snarky “things aren’t so bad…. academics… four day weekends.” Is one response better than the other? Explain. The man’s response seems to convey his true feelings on the matter, however harsh this might be. This seems better than the female’s acknowledgement of sympathy. She might be fine with the living arrangement, and just agreeing because she is a good self-monitor.

References
Pennsylvania State University World Campus. 2013. Psych 243, Lesson 15: Male-Female Communication, Marriage, and Families. Retrieved from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/fa13/psych243/001/content/15_lesson/lesson15_01.html

References: Pennsylvania State University World Campus. 2013. Psych 243, Lesson 15: Male-Female Communication, Marriage, and Families. Retrieved from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/fa13/psych243/001/content/15_lesson/lesson15_01.html