Jessica Hofhine

Communication Theory Analysis

Comm 2050
April 18, 2018

Face Negotiation Theory

Introduction
The Face Negotiation Theory is a key factor we use in communication of our daily lives,
but may not notice it. Communication doesn't just mean verbalism, it could mean body
language, sign language, and facial expressions. People that aren't able to hear depend on body
language and facial expressions to interpret social encounters. This is where the Face
Negotiation Theory comes into place. There are four parts of the theory: face losing, face
saving, face maintaining, and face restoration. While communicating a person predicts which of
those behavior patterns are being used in the conversation.
In this paper I will break down and specify the components of the Face Negotiation
Theory. I will get into the theory definition itself, the theory's approach, the author in which
who formulated it. I will discuss where the theory current stands, and who uses the theory
today. I will also be listing the strengths and weaknesses of the theory and what can be
improved in it. To wrap up the paper I will state what I learned and my final thought of Face
Negotiation Theory.
Theory Definition, Approach, & Author
The Face Negotiation Theory was created by Stella Ting-Toomey in 1985. She created the
theory by observing intercultural communication. Stella was a professor of human
communication at California State University. Face Negotiation Theory believes that cultural
differences shape the responses to conflict in different societies. "The face" is nothing but a
persona we keep up in our social image. The Face Negotiation Theory predicts how people will
respond using communication behavior patterns: face saving, face losing, face restoration, and
face maintenance. Typically this theory is used during conflict. The Face Negotiation Theory uses
Scientific/Empirical Approach. Using large amounts of data can predict the behavior patterns
when it comes to face negotiation.
There are established factors in negotiating face. One being concern over self-face and
others faces. It's important to maintain a certain face based on how you want it to reflect back
to others. People from collectivistic culture usually tend to avoid conflict while individualistic
people dominate the conflict in order to maintain an individual face in society. Status in the
society which creates power is also a negotiating face, people in a more individualistic society
earn their power to live in their society while collectivistic people are born into a status. Based
 on individualistic and collectivistic society cultures there are different types of conflict style.
Two collectivistic approaches from giving up or staying away from conflict is avoiding and
obliging. Some individualistic approaches are domination, compromising, and integrating which
are approaches that help negotiate or work together to reach a solution.

Current Theory Status

There has been criticism directed towards the theory since it was first created. Toomey
bases her assumptions off the observations of individualistic and collectivistic cultures. However
they are just assumptions and do not fully define how each one operates. The way that power
operates is also a huge part of her theory. A number of researchers still to this day from various
cultures still test out Stella's theory. The theory has seen multiple changes since it first
originated. When new information is found, it is incorporated into the theory. Face Negotiation
Theory's most recent update is from 2005. Stella Ting-Toomey has also come out with more
books going into greater depth of the theory since she first originated it.
7 Criteria Theory Evaluation
There are obviously some concerns and weaknesses to the theory. Face negotiation is
impacted by culture, so there are some disagreements among different cultures. Weaknesses of
Face Negotiation Theory using the 7 Theory Evaluation Criteria are since the theory is based off
of observations, experiences and perceptions it isn't 100% accurate and cause conflict among
those who don't agree. Even some of Stella's research has shown some discrepancies. Reasons
like this lead to face negotiation not being accurate all the time which is a weakness. Strengths
of Face Negotiation Theory using the 7 Theory Evaluation Criteria are it has helped with
communication in situations many of which are when conflict occurs. Between different races
they need to negotiate and meet in the middle when it comes to solving problems. This theory
also gives us an insight as to why people act a certain way.
Improvements to the Theory
Improvements needed comes with new research. Given the research and the how
applicable to the situation is varies on if they can add it to the theory. I feel like I already use
face negotiation in my daily life communication. Especially when talking to my boyfriend he's
very sensitive if he feels like I give him a bad look or use a tone with him he gets angry easily. So
when I am trying to say something he might not like or agree with I try to smile and say it in a
nice tone. It definitely helps how the conversation goes and helps save the conversation before
it results to conflict.
Conclusion
Face negotiation is an important aspect in communication. Especially amongst deaf
people, they depend on facial expressions and other signs to even be able to communicate.
When someone loses their face it makes them feel embarrassed because it makes them feel
insecure, and anyone as a human wants to feel confident about themselves. Since the "face" is
just a persona we keep up for our social image we not only care about what other people think
about us, but what we think about ourselves. Our ego and confidence is built off of respect and
reputation, without a good reputation we tend to lose self esteem. Everyone should be
confident it's key to attain happiness and everyone deserves to be happy.
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<https://tcomm87.wordpress.com/face-negotiation-theory/strengths-and-weaknesses-of-the-theory/>.

Communication, In Cultural Communication Interpersonal Communication Visual. "Face-Negotiation

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