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COMMUNICATION
PATHWAYS
second edition
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For my son, Connor, whose smile and laughter remind me that every day is a joyful blessing.
For my nieces, nephews, and others yet to come: may you learn to communicate in ways that
help to make the world a kinder and gentler place.
For my husband Drew and daughter Lucy, who support me in my work and bring so much
happiness to my life.
V
VI COMMUN ICATION PATHWAYS
Group Member Rol es: Task Roles and Maintenance Rol es.......................................... 276
Group Decision -Making Pro cess ......................................................................................... 280
The Chall enges and Reward s of Group Work .................................................................. 282
Dialogu e in Groups ................................................................................................................. 285
INDEX................................................................................................. 349
PREFACE
Communication is woven into our daily lives, and often we do not stop to t hink how com
p licated and challeng ing effect ively commun icating w ith others can be. Nevert heless, it is
through communication that we add color, interest, and energy to our lived experiences.
Without commun ication we could not share ideas, solve problems, build relationships,
establish and maintain families, or express ou r em otions. Put simply, commun icat ion makes
us human.
The basic communication course is too often the only exposure students have to t raining
in communication, and even that class often focuses exclusively on public speaking. Th is
cou rse and this book do not focus on public speaking alone, but rather several different
contexts and situations in which you will need to effectively communicate w it h others. To
do this, the book is divided into severa l parts.
In the first part you will encounter t he basic princip les of communication and how it func
t ions. You w ill learn about models of commun icat ion, how different cultural experiences
result in different styles of communication, and the role of perception in the communication
process. In addition to discussions of the models and p rinciples t hat serve as the founda
t ion for understanding communication, this book uniquely includes a chapter devoted to
illustrating the concept of dialogic communication. We view dialogic commun icat ion as so
important that we revisit how to engage in it in every subsequent chapter.
The first part also includes chapters that discuss the role of languag e in communication, how
ou r nonverbal communication can influence the meaning in any messa ge, and t he complex
pu rpose listening serves in t he p rocess of understanding and interpreting meaning.
The second sign ificant part of this book consid ers communicat ion in interpersonal con
texts. This is, by far, the most common situation in which we communicate w ith others. The
relationships we form, no matter how short- or long-lived they may be, serve as our tet hers
to other people and help us form commun ities. We discuss how we use communication to
create and develop t hese bonds w ith others, how we maintain relationships (and how we
don't), and pay special attent ion to the intimate relationships in ou r lives and t he role com
municat ion plays in t hem.
Yet anot her chapter that sets this book apart is t he chapter in which we cover mediated
relationships. Today we use various media to develop and maintain relationships w it h peo
ple in ways we never could before. From Facebook and Pinterest to Skype and Facetime,
we now have tools to commun icate w ith people that allow us to overcome h istorica l chal
leng es to maintaining relationships, like distance and time.
ix
X COMMUN ICATION PATHWAYS
The th ird part of the book turns the focus to public speaking. These chapters focus on
introducing some basic elements of delivering a formal presentation, w ith a focus on how
to do so to facilitate understanding and encourage dialog ue. We cover things like delivery,
organizat ion, the basics of explaining information, and the p ersuasive process.
The fourth part of t he book addresses communication in a third and final context: small
groups. Often in your academic and p rofessional lives you will be asked to work in groups
w ith others, and th e success of those groups depends u pon effective com munication. We
also spend a chapter discussing leadership and the role communicat ion p lays for lea ders
in organizat ions and groups. Finally, we discuss interviewing, w ith a focus on j ob interviews
and how to successfully present yourself in these very important moments.
Throughout the book you w ill also not ice some short stories in boxes set apart from th e
main text. In these "Mediated Moments" we use contemporary examp les from television,
literature, and movies to illust rate key components o f a given chapter. We believe these w ill
help make content easier to u nderstand and identify in our daily lives. The other consistent
sideba rs in the text are called "Dialin g Diversity," and these short vig nettes illustrate how
commu nication concepts and p rinciples play out differently w ithin diverse groups.
New to this second edition are vignettes we have termed "Eth ics Point" in each chapter.
These b oxes provide tough pragmatic questions to very real ethica l dil emmas and events
th at have either occu rred or could feasibly hap pen to you. Ad ditionally, we have streamlined
content on certain theories and app roaches t hroug hout the b ook, and we up dated several
o f the b oxes in each cha pter. We feel these meaningful adjustments reta in the style, pu r
pose, and content of the book while enhanci ng the reader's ability to take away important
key points from each chapter.
We b elieve this book addresses a gap in th e current offerings for "survey" comm unicat ion
courses by tying communication in different contexts togeth er th roug h a focus on dialogue.
Examples of poor communication abound in society today, w ith people ta lking over each
other, arguing vociferously, and not respecting or even t rying to understand the positions
taken by others. We hop e our focus on dialogic communication in multiple contexts p ro
vides th e tools necessary for students to b ecome more dialogic communicators.
Sincerely,
more important than ever. Whether we are speaking with family over dinner, going out on a
first date, working with a sales team to market a product, delivering a graduation address,
or using technology to interact with friends across long distances, the one constant in all
maximize our ability to be successful in all our endeavors with other people.
People often believe they know how to communicate well and that the same style or
mode of communication works in every scenario. With our increasingly complex and digital
world, this is simply not the case. Communication skills, like any other skill, require practice
and continual development. In this chapter, we introduce you to the basic principles of
communicating in any context so that as we progress through the book you begin to see how
these principles work to inform how we adapt our communication in a variety ofsituations.
We will begin with briefly describing the various reasons why and how we communicate
in today's global world. We will then discuss some common myths about communication
and what people erroneously believe it can do. Finally, we will explain models for when
1
2 COMMUN ICATION PATHWAYS
WHY WE COMMUNICATE
A quick answer to why we commun icate could very well be "to get something done"; how
ever, as we will see in this section of the chapter, t here are more reasons th at drive us to
interact with oth ers than simply accomplishing tasks. In fact, there are five fundamental
motives that drive our need to communicate with ot hers. These needs all feed into some
level of noted psychologist Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs (see Figure 1.1).' His model
shows that p eople first need to fill physiological needs, such as food and sleep, before t hen
seeking safety for themselves and t heir family. Once t hese two needs are met, they move on
to filling their needs to love and to b elong to a grou p, wh ich in turn allow them to seek out
a way to fill their needs for self-esteem and confidence. Finally, they seek to fi ll their moral
needs through what Maslow calls self-actualization. Maslow's hierarchy demonstrates that
for communicat ion to b e successful and fulfilling, it needs to be driven by a purpose.
Self
actualization
Self-esteem
love/Belonging
Safety
Basic/Physiological Needs
Physical Needs
Communicat ion enhances our physica l and mental health. This fact is what undergirds such
programs as cancer support groups, Alcoholics Anonymous, and even suicide help lines.
People can feel better when they talk to other people, b ecause in doing so they feel con
necte d to the world around th em. For example, according to the American Cancer Society,
research indicates that participation in support groups can help reduce st ress, tension , and
fatigue, while also potentially helping patients achieve greater tolerance for th e grueling
t reatment they are undergoing. 2
The benefits of communication on a person's health are root ed in the fact t hat we are
socia l beings. Sometimes it is as if we cannot survive without social contact, something
German Emperor Frederick II proved in a grossly unethical experim ent in the thirteenth
century. In an effort to determine what language child ren would speak without being
exposed to any language, he took 50 newborns and had nurses feed and clean th em, but
CHAPTER 1 • THE BASICS OF COMMUNICATION 3
not speak or otherwise hold them. All of the infants event ually died. 3 In more current and
less dangerous resea rch, scholars have shown how important human contact, especially
touch, is to newborns. In fact, more recent work has demonstrated that ta lking to babies,
even at very early ages, helps t hem develop language skills.• Contact and communica
tion are clearly directly related to health for ch ildren and adults, and help people fill their
physiological and safety needs.
Relational Needs
In addition to personal health and safety, we need companionship with others. This com
panionsh ip helps us receive and give affection to others, as well as find ways to relax and
escape from the stresses of life. These are t hings made possible through connection to
other people, wh ich wou ld not be possible w ithout communication. Communication is how
we establish and maintain relationsh ips w ith ot her people.
In today's global, digital world, there are myriad ways in wh ich we can create relat ionsh ips
with others. There are t he trad itional avenues, such as face-to-face commun ication w ith
ou r neighbors, classmates, and coll eagues, and we can also maint ain re lationships at a dis
tance, t hanks to the telephone, video chat programs like Skype and FaceTime, and social
media sites like Facebook, lnst agram, and Pinterest, just to name a few. Furthermore,
we can create relationships with people we have never met in person using these same
digital media.
Despite the abundance of communication tools, somet imes the more connected we are, the
less connected to other people we feel. Th is is precisely t he worry that has been ra ised by
several scholars and cu ltural experts. For example, MIT p rofessor Sherry Turkle delivered
a TED Talk titled, "The Innovation of Loneliness," whe re she argued our increased use and
reliance on social media and elect ron ic commun ication has created an atmosphere where
we feel more isolated from each other.5 The medium o f the computer has created a barrier
preventing us from tru ly learning how to relate w ith other people. Nevertheless, commun i
cation helps us fulfill our need to develop and maintain relationships w ith others, despite the
challenges some forms of communication may p resent in doing so.
4 COMMUN ICATION PATHWAYS
Identity Needs
Our conversations w ith others help shape how we see ourselves. The resulting communica
t ion thus provides us with how others understand us, and also provides us the language
to define how we p resent ourselves to other people. Our identities are always in a state of
flux, cha nging based on how new people see us, and how we choose to interact w ith them.
Th is constant feedback allows us to adapt our self-images based on th e different contexts
in wh ich we find ourselves.
One of the more popular and success I was born Prince and did not
ful musicians in recent years, th e late want to adopt another conven
artist Prince changed his name to a tional nam e. The only acceptable
symbol in 1993 during a dispute w ith his replacement for my name, and
record label, Warner Bros. Appearin g my identity, was th e Love Symbol,
before the press with the word "slave" a symbol w ith no p ronunciation,
w ritten on his face, Prince declared his that is a representation of me
new "name" and explained its meaning: and what my music is about. Th is
symbol is present in my work
The first step I have ta ken over the years; it is a concept that
towa rd th e ultimate goal of has evolved from my frustration;
emancipation from the chains it is who I am. It is my name.
that b ind me to Wa rner Bros.
was to change my name from In t his stat ement, Prince p ublicly
Prince to the Love Symbol announced the symbol he would b e
[,f- ]. Pri nce is the name that my refe rred to as from that point on. He
mother gave me at birth. Warner tied it to h is sense of self and what he
Bros. took the name, trade believed he represent ed. Since p eo
marked it, and use d it as the main ple could not verb alize the symbol,
market ing tool to p romote all of they referre d t o him as " The artist for
the music that I w rote. The com merly known as Prince." This action
pany owns the name Prince and by the famous artist shows how close
all relate d music marketed under the t ie is b etween communication
Prince. I b ecame merely a pawn and our ident ity, and it d epicts how
used to produce more money for communication can wo rk to fu lfill
Warner Bros ... those needs.
CHAPTER 1 • THE BASICS OF COMMUNICATION 5
For example, you define yourself differently and communicate differently w it h your pa rents
than you do w ith your friends from school. In turn, you define yourself differently and speak
differently with your college friends than you do with your friends from high school. Our
ident ities shift based on what we let people see in us, what we choose to hide, and even
what we do not know we are sha ring or presenting to oth ers. Later, in the chapter on per
ception and the self, we will explore self-esteem in greater detail, b ut for now it is enough to
say we use commun ication to construct our self-imag e.
Spiritual Needs
In t he 2014 Religious Landscape study conducte d by the Pew Research Center, 70.6 per
cent o f Americans still cla imed a Christian label,6 and even those who did not adhere t o a
faith system still grappled w ith quest ions like "what is the meaning of life?" and "why are we
here?" Spirituality does not mean religion; rather it refers to deep feelings and beliefs about
the va lues, purposes, and meaning of human existence. Spirituality is not synonymous with
religion, but rather religion is one form of expression of spiritua lity. As individuals, regardless
of our faiths, we use communication to sat isfy ou r long ing for answers regarding these pro
found questions that cannot be directly answered. Some use p rayer, while others emp loy
me ditation or read philosophy.
For those who use prayer, there is an even deeper question related to the spiritual needs
fulfill ed by communication. Communication schola r Quentin Schultz refers to this question
as the "God Problem,"7 wherein some p eople may use prayer to communicate to God, but
how do we know we are being answered? How does God actually speak? These are pro
found questions about communication rooted in its ability to help us seek answers to and
fulfill our spiritual needs. lntrapersonal commun ication, or commun ication with oneself, is
also a vital part o f other forms of spirit ual communication that employ me ditation and self
reflective p ractices.
UNIT OF
The Building Blocks of Communication ANALYSIS
the item that the
Many disciplines b reak down t heir subject matter into t hings called units of analysis-what researcher is trying to
the research er is trying t o understand or study. Biologists use cells, chemists use molecules, understand or study
6 COMMUN ICATION PATHWAYS
mathematicians use numbers, and commun icat ion scholars use symbols. Symbols are not
j ust words; th ey can take many forms. One of the simplest ways to understand the study of
symbols in all their forms is provided by C. K. Ogden and I. A. Richa rds in their book, The
Meaning of Meaning.8
Ogd en and Richards proposed that meaning is in peop le, not words. Th is proposal can also
b e extended to the use of other symbols. People give words and other symbols meaning
through interpretation, because words and symbols mean nothing unt il we give them th eir
essence. Ogden and Richards illustrate d how t he p rocess of interpretation works. There are
three parts of a semantic triangle: t he referent, the symbol, and the thought. The symbol is
a representation, such as a word or image. A referent is an actual object that you are trying
to communicate to anoth er person. We use thought to connect the symbol to the referent.
It is in our minds, th rough thought, that we connect the symbol and the referent. Once t his
relationship has been established, we can use the symbol (such as t he word "tab le") to
represent the t hing (an actual table) when we are communicating w ith others who share our
same symbol system (our language: English, Lat in, Spanish, Arabic, etc.). This allows us to
share meaning w ith other people, even if th e things that we are communicating about are
not actually present. See Figure 1.2 for an illustration.
Thought
0
()
"Table"
Referent .. Symbol
As you can see, Ogden and Richards provided a clear way to analyze communication by
treating symbols as th e units of analysis. We do not, however, communicate using j ust a
symbol, but rather by using symbol systems. Language is a type of symbol system, as are
traffic signs, and even t he Periodic Table of Elements. These systems allow people to com
municate with each oth er, but the processes by which we send messages using symbol
ENCODING systems is more complex than this.
the process of creating
a message using
symbols Models of the Communication Process
There are th ree p rimary models used to explain t he communication process, and each con
CHANNEL tains the same basic elements. The process b egins with a sender fflCOdlng, or creating,
pathway through which a message. The sender then sends the message through a channel, or pathway through
the symbols travel which the symbols t ravel to a receiver or receivers. Som e examples of channels are text
CHAPTER 1 • THE BASICS OF COMMUNICATION 7
messages, television, radio, phone, email, and even your own voice. When travelling through NOISE
the channel, the message invariably encounters nolM, or anything that interferes w it h the anything that interferes
rece iver's ability to properly receive t he message. For some examples o f types of noise our with the receiver's
ability to properly
messages typically encounter, see Table 1.1. On the other end of the channel is the receiver, receive the message
who decodff, or interprets, the sym bols within th e message, th us giving them meaning.
DECODING
Physical Noise Psychological Noise the process of
interpreting the
• Other sounds (people ta lking, • Preoccupation with other symbolswithin a
air conditioner, shuffling thoug hts message
papers, etc.) • Emotional reaction to the
• Visua l barriers topic
• Poor volume and p roj ection • Prejudice or ill w ill toward
• Distractions in th e room the speaker
Th ese basic components seNe as the foundation for each o f th e three models of the com
municat ion process we will now explore in further detail.
Action model of communication. The action model of communication goes by two other
names: the Shannon-Weaver model, and t he linear model. The first of these alternate
names represents the scholars responsib le for th e model's development, and th e latter
name refl ects how th e model works, as you will see. In the action model, communication is
understood as a one-way process, in which th e sender sends a message to a receiver, who
decodes it. According to th is model, the process stops th ere, as represente d in Figure 1.3,
but over t ime communication scholars recognize d the process of creating and commun icat
ing meaning is not so linear.
Sender Recei¥er
Encodes Decodes
FEEDBACK Interaction model of communication. The interaction model expand s the act ion mo d el,
thevarious verbal and using all the same elements, but adding tw o more in ord er to show com mu nication as
nonverbal responses a two-w ay process instea d of a linear one-way p rocess as shown in Figure 1.3. The fi rst
to the message by the
receiver of t he added elements to t he mod el is feedllack, or th e various verbal and nonverb al
resp onses to t he message by t he receive r. In the interaction model, feedback takes
place after the receiver decod es the send er's messag e. Th e second add ed component
CONTEXT is context, or the physica l, em otiona l, and psycholo gica l environment in wh ich t he com
thephysical, municat ion event takes p lace. When we commun icate, we take the context int o cons id
emotional, and
eration w hen it comes to t he words we use, the way we act, dress, and respond, and so
psychological
environment in which the interact ion mod el, Figure 1.4 on t he f ollowing pag e, acknowle dges th is aspect of t he
thecommunication communication p rocess. Despite these additions, t he two-way nature of t he inte ract ion
event takes place mode l st ill does not completely ca pt ure t he nature of the commun ication p rocess, and so
scholars d evelop ed a t hird , more complete mo d el.
Context
/ Noise
Sender Receiver
Encodes Decodes
Transactional model of communication. The transact ional mod el updates both t he action
and inte ract ion models o f communication in on e key way. The mode l does not d ifferenti
ate b etween t he send er and the receiver, see ing both parties as sender and receiver,
as illust rated in Figure 1.5. This feat ure of t he model shows t he simultaneous nature of
communication, where we are se nding messages to the oth er p erson even while we are
decoding th e message th e ot her person is sending. In th is mode l, communication flows
b oth ways at the same t ime, wh ich is a mu ch more realist ic ch aracterization o f the com
municat ion process.
Now that we have explore d both what communication ca n do for us, and how it w orks, we
need to dispel some misconceptions ab out commun ication that many people hold.
CHAPTER 1 • THE BASICS OF COMMUNICATION 9
Context
/ Noise
Sender/ Receiver
Receiver Sender
Feedback
Communication Myths
Starting from birth, w hen we cried to let our ca regivers know w e need ed food or a n ew dia
p er and contin uing on through our acquisition of language, w e have always commu nicated
w ith oth ers. This may explain w hy many p eople b elieve t hey understand commu nication so
w ell, even thoug h th ey likely do not. In this section, w e w ill explore five common misconcep
t ions many people have about com mu nication.
Myth #1: Everyone is an adept communicator. As noted in t he previous section, w e all have
extensive experience w ith communicating, but j ust b ecause w e do something often does
not make us experts in it. For examp le, a person may keep t rack o f her p ersonal finances,
but th is does not make her an expert at finan ce. Many people also cook, but that does not
Recently coll ege and university cam- do this sort of thing, and allow the free
puses have rescinded or cancelled exchange of ideas- especially those
invitati ons to controversial speakers w ith which you disagree. Consider
to deliver remarks at their campus. In whether the protests, themselves a form
some instances, t he decision to cancel of communication, are ethical points of
occurred after protests or threats of vie - entrance for people into a debate about
lent protest if the speaker was allowed a controversial figure. When else might
to speak. Former President Obama t hey express t heir disagreement? What
has remarked that colleges should not makes a protest "right" or "wrong"?
10 COMMUN ICATION PATHWAYS
make them all chefs. What does make someone an expert in something is extensive t raining
in his or her fi eld, and most people do not have extensive training in commun icat ion. This
is not to say that you r exp eriences are bad or that you are impolite or even a bad commu
nicator, but rather that there is a host of information on commun ication with wh ich you are
unfamiliar. This book will provide you w ith some of that information in a practica l way so you
can improve you r communication skills.
Myth #2: Communication can solve any problem. Although communicat ion can help to
repair relationships and solve problems in many different circumstances, th ere are times
when communication can actually make things worse. As social as people are, th ey also need
their space, and it can be frustrating when we fill that sp ace with constant communication.
Additionally, not everything needs to b e discussed or even addressed, and so leaving some
topics alone is better than confronting them. More commun ication in these cases is not better;
it can make things worse. In certain cases, communication can also let people know it may be
t ime to move on, even when the intent is to bring two people back together. We will retu rn to
th is myth in more detail when we cover interpersonal conflict in a later chapter.
Myth #3: There is only one type of communication. Communicat ion is a very b road field ,
and it covers a lot of activities, but there is no one way to commun icate p roperly. The type
of commun ication we choose to engage in is dependent on the situ ation in which we find
ourselves. Debate and argumentat ion work in some cases, but dialogue can b e more
effective in others. Somet imes, listening is t he best thi ng we can do. Our choice depends
on the pu rpose of the interact ion and with whom we are speaking. If a p erson does not
adj ust th e way in wh ich they commun icate based on th e context in which t hey find th em
selves, they increase the p robab ility of misund erstandings and potential prob lems.
Myth #4: Any communication is good communication. Not all commun ication is p os i
t ive, and somet imes we need to exercise restra int and not share certain comments or
thoughts w ith others. Just b ecause you want to say something, or even have the right to
say someth ing, does not mean it is good to say it. Just like any tool, commun ication can be
used in a negative way, and, therefore, it is not always good. As an example, th ink about
interruptions. Just b ecause you feel the need to contribute at that moment does not mean
it is a good idea to do so. Interrupting others, though commun ication, is not going to create
a positive exp erience.
Myth #5: More communication will ultimately make people agree with you. Many people
b elieve th at the reason oth ers disagree w ith them is that they have not b een clearly under
stood. As a result, they continue pushing t heir ideas in an effort to help the other person
understand, and thus agree. It can often b e th e case, however, that the oth er person does
understand what is being said, and yet st ill does not agree with it. More communication
does not produce agreement in these instances, but may instead invite th e oppos ite. It is
important to recog nize when a point is made and th e other p erson just does not agree,
b ecause the more you ta lk in t hese cases, the more entrenched the other person is likely to
b ecome in the disagreement.
So far we have illust rate d the complex nature of communication, how it works, and some
common misunderstandings about the process p eople hold. In the final section of this chap
ter, we will define what it means to be a competent communicator.
choices we make about how we comm unicate w ith others in a given situation directly influ
ence the degree to which our message can be successfu l. Th e app ropriateness of com
mu nication refers to our ability to pay attention to the ru les and expectations o f a given
situation, someth ing made very difficult w hen it comes to interactin g w ith people from dif
ferent cult ural backg rounds. In this sect ion of t he chapter, we will detail five characterist ics
exhibited by competent communicators .
Self-awareness
A competent communicator pays attent ion to his or her behaviors and comments, and how
those influence or affect other people. The process o f being attu ned t o how our act ions
SELF· and messages impact others is ca lled Hlf,.monitoring. People who are high self-monitors
MONITORING
p ay close attent ion to how th ey look, sou nd, and react, as well as what t hey say when in
the process of being
attuned to how your situations with other people. By cont rast, low self-monitors pay minimal attent ion to these
actions and messages things, and are t hus not aware t hat they may be making a negative impression on others.
impact others Being a high self-monitor allows people to adju st to different resp onses and situ ations.
-C. E. Shannon
CHAPTER 1 • THE BASICS OF COMMUNICATION 13
mental image up on which we p ractice ou r p otent ial statements or b ehaviors b efore we EMPATHY
actually enact them." Th is allows us t o ant icipate how we think other people might react, the ability to
and th us adapt accordingly. It also helps us exp erience empathy, or the ability t o under understand and feel
the same way as
stand and feel t he emotions th at another p erson is experienci ng. Peopl e w ho are ot her another person
oriented have st rong generali zed others, w hil e th ose who are more focused on t hem
se lves sk ip t he step of ant ici p ating reactions t hrou gh t he generalized oth er altogether.
Cognitive Complexity
In most cases, there is more tha n one potential explanation for a behavior or message, and COGNITIVE
cognltf,e complexity is th e ab ility to recog nize multiple ways in w hich a situation or mes COMPLEXITY
sage could be understood or interpreted. This skill involves b eing attu ned to the dimensions the ability to recognize
multiple potential ways
of the context in which p eople find themselves, and their ability to ap preciate the different in which a situation
variab les th at could influence w hat, why, and how another person acts and sp eaks the way or message could
they do in a given ci rcumstance. Increasing cog nitive complexity involves patience and a be understood or
interpreted
willingness to have an open mind.
Being a com petent communicator is much more involved than many people realize. In this
b ook, we use the best research by experts in the field to provide you with a detail ed under
standing of how to improve your com mu nication skills.
SUMMARY
In thi s cha pter, we defined commun ication and p rovided insigh t into t he benefits good
com municat ion produces for people. We also explained t he various components of t he
com municat ion process, and dispell ed some wid ely held myths regarding communica
t ion. Finally, we introduced some qualities and characterist ics of compet ent communica
tors th at will be f urther exp lored t hroughout the remainder o f th is book. Communication
is a com pl ex process that works differe nt ly in different situat ions, and as we g o further,
we w ill d elve into differe nt commun ication contexts and sha re the t ools th at w ill help you
improve you r interactional skills in those situations.
14 COMMUN ICATION PATHWAYS
• We communicate using symbol systems that include referents (actual things), thoughts
(mental const ructs or ideas about those things), and symbols (words or images that
represent both the referent and thought).
• There are three models of communication: the action model, the interaction model, and
the t ransact ional model.
• There are five common misconceptions or myths ab out communication: (1) everyone is
an adept communicator, (2) communication can solve any problem, (3) t here is only one
typ e of communicat ion, (4) any communication is good communication, and (5) more
commun icat ion will ultimately make people agree w ith you .
• The five characterist ics exhibited by competent communicators include (1) self-aware
ness, (2) responsiveness and adaptability, (3) pe rson-centered messages, (4) cognitive
complexity, and (5) ethics and civility.
2. Consider the th ree models of communication. For each model, draw an image or thin k
about a metaphor that will help you remem ber the key features of each model. What is
a situation that exemplifies communication happ ening in each of t hese models?
3 Th ink about a recent conversation t hat you had w ith another p erson . What types of noise
distracted you and your conversation partner during that conversat ion? How might you
reduce or overcome some of those types of noise during your next conversation?
CHAPTER 1 • THE BASICS OF COMMUNICATION 15
4 Are you a competent communicator? Create a list of each of the characterist ics of a
competent communicator. Reflect back on your commun ication for t he past month and
add notes about evidence about how well you did or didn't exhibit each cha racteristic
of competent communication. Rate yourself (or ask severa l people who know you well
to rate you) on a scale of 1-10 for each characteristic to begin to identify your strengt hs
and weaknesses.
S. Wh ich of the five aspects of the competent communicator do you think t hat you need to
work to improve the most th is semester? How will this aspect of competent communica
t ion help you in your relationships and later career?
COMMUN ICATION,
CULTURE, AND
DIVERSITY
Our ability to instantaneously communicate with people over great distances has had
numerous effects on our lives, not the least of which is exposure to myriad different people,
on social media, as business clients, medical patients, and even as family members.
Such richness and diversity is both exciting and challenging. It makes appreciating the
communicator. More than ever, we must ensure that we are sensitive and respectful toward
others when we speak, which makes it more likely they will listen to what we have to say.
In this chapter, we explain how culture and diversity impact our communication with others.
First, we will define culture and investigate its different dimensions. We will then provide
some detail on specific categories that constitute and influence the diverse audiences
we encounter when we communicate in any context. Finally, we will offer some concrete
suggestions for enhancing your ability to interact successfully with diverse groups ofpeople
in a variety ofsituations.
17
18 COMMUN ICATION PATHWAYS
We are not pa rt o f on ly one overa rch ing cu ltu re. Instead, we belong to, and are
CO-CULTURES impact e d by, a variety o f smaller, more sp ecifi c cultures. These smal ler g roup s, ca lled
smaller specific ICO<'llltuffs, exist w ith in and alongsi d e larger cultural groups, allowing in div id uals to
cultures that intersect simultaneo usly b elong to severa l cu ltu res and co-cultures. Sometimes we even fee l
in our lives co nflicted b etween t he different cu ltu res to wh ich we b elong.
Let's look at an example to illustrate how cu ltures work and collide in our lives. Darius grew
up in a Russian America n fami ly and is a p ractici ng Roman Catholic. Darius happens to be
quite p roud of his ethnic heritage, and also makes sure he attends mass every Sunday.
He does not speak Russian, however, nor does he agree with all the church's teachings.
Nevertheless, many o f t he customs and beliefs of both groups inform Dariu s's p ersp ec
t ive on the world around him. Many of his friends in his neighborhood are Russian, and
he belongs to t he Knights of Columbus, a Catholic cha rity dedicated to helping t he sick,
disabled and needy in t heir commu nities, but none of his Russian neighborhood friends
are affiliate d with that organizat ion. Darius belongs to b oth cultures, w hich const itute co
cultures within t he larger America n or Western cu lture, and this causes a degree of conflict
for him when t he cult ures collide.
On e type of culture that is particularly influential is national culture. The sp ecific t raditions of
a national culture vary greatly among countries, but according to Hofstede, national cu ltu res
can all b e understood th rough six consistent dimensions.
For effectively cooperating with people who are from other nations, there are
two basic conditions that have to be fulfi lled. The first is speaking or having
learned a shared language, and the second is acting according to shared ru les
and standards.
-Geert Hofstede
CHAPTER 2 • COMMUNICATION, CULTURE, AND DIVERSITY 19
(b) Spinal Hemiplegia.—In this type the face and head are normal,
excepting in some cases the iris; the extremities and trunk are more
or less paralyzed on one side, the loss of power being more evenly
distributed (i.e. less distal) than in hemiplegia of cerebral origin.
Often there is also anæsthesia, and this is always on the other side
of the median line, involving more or less of the whole side. The
coincidence of these symptoms below the head indicates positively
that the lesion is in the spinal cord, involving one of its lateral halves.
Where there is no anæsthesia, care must be taken not to confound
the condition with that in which a cerebral lesion causes paralysis of
one arm and leg (combined brachial and crural monoplegia).
(f) The various internal organs, the viscera, supplied with striped or
unstriped muscular fibres, may be paralyzed.
(g) The muscular coat of the vascular system beyond the heart may
be paralyzed in extensive or limited areas—the so-called vaso-motor
paralysis. This may assume hemiplegic or monoplegic or localized
forms.
(c) Paraplegic spasm is also shown in tonic and clonic forms. Partial
tonic spasm of this distribution, with paresis of the legs, causes the
gait or attitude known as tetanoid or spastic. The four extremities
may be in this state of mixed paresis and contraction, as observed in
some very young children whose cerebral motor area is probably
undeveloped or ill-developed, or which has been damaged shortly
after birth by meningeal hemorrhage.
(e) Inco-ordination more or less of the ataxic form often affects the
muscles of articulation, phonation, and deglutition, giving to the
symptoms dysarthria, dysphonia, and dysphagia. Dysarthria and
dysphagia are probably often caused by lesions of the insula and
subjacent white substance, as well as by those affecting the
oblongata. There are two recent autopsies which would indicate that
there may be a cerebral cortical centre for phonation laryngeal
movements: in the ventral extremity of the right third frontal gyrus—a
part homologous to the speech centre on the left side of the brain. In
some cases, however, dysphonia and aphonia indicate a lesion of
the laryngeal nerves or of the oblongata (nucleus of NN. x. and xi.).
(f) Doubtless the internal muscular organs and the blood-vessels are
frequently the seat of inco-ordinate or quasi-ataxic movements, but
our present knowledge of these conditions amounts to very little.
Diagram illustrating the Arc for Reflex Action. The centripetal and
centrifugal paths, the receptive and terminal organs of the arc, are shown
connected with the spinal centre, which is a portion of central gray matter
containing ganglion cells. The inhibitory cerebral influence is constantly
exerted in health to moderate reflexes.
First, in the eye. In case of atrophy of the optic nerve the pupillary
reflex is lost, the reflex action failing because the receptive surface
and efferent nerve are injured. In certain cases of spinal disease
(posterior spinal sclerosis) the same pupillary immobility is observed
(the Argyll-Robertson pupil); and in this case the lesion either affects
indirect efferent spinal fibres destined for the iris, or it is situated in
the centre for the reflex action—viz. the gray matter of the lobus
opticus. There may be loss of pupillary reflex due to injury of the
direct efferent fibres of the arc (paralysis of the motor oculi, N. iii.).
Lastly, the iris itself may be so diseased as to be incapable of
contracting, though it receive the reflex impulse properly; the lesion
is then in the terminal organ of the arc.
Second, the patellar tendon reflex. In a healthy individual, sitting at
ease with one leg thrown over the other (knee over knee), upon
tapping the ligamentum patellæ of the overhanging or free leg a
contraction of the quadriceps muscle occurs, causing a visible
forward movement of the leg and foot. This is the well-known patellar
reflex or knee-jerk. The arc in this case consists of the ligamentum
patellæ with its included sensory fibres as receptive organs, sensory
(afferent) fibres of the crural nerve, a segment of the lumbar gray
matter of the cord as centre, motor (efferent) fibres of the crural
nerve, supplying the quadriceps extensor femoris, which is the
terminal organ. Theoretically (vide Fig. 1), we can conceive of
numerous abnormal conditions of parts of this arc which would lead
to abolition of the patellar reflex, but in practice the following are the
principal lesions to be thought of: Disease (sclerosis) of the posterior
root-zones of the lumbar enlargement of the cord, as exhibited in the
pre-ataxic stage of tabes; disease of the posterior roots themselves
through meningitis or meningo-myelitis, as in diphtheritic ataxia;
lesion of the nervous centre, as is frequently observed in cases of
infantile poliomyelitis; a lesion of the crural nerve, involving its
efferent or afferent fibres, or both sets of fibres, would produce the
same result, as would also, lastly, a severe myositis or cancerous
infiltration of the quadriceps muscle.
FIG. 2.
Diagram and Table showing the Approximate Relation to the Spinal
Nerves of the Various Sensory and Reflex Functions of the Spinal Cord
(after Gowers).