Module 9

What is Communication Climate

• Definition: the social tone of a relationship

• exist in all types of relationships and groups: workplace, romance, friendships, families, countries, cities

• positive cmns climate = higher commitment jobs, creativity, comfortable learning envi.

• negative cmns climate = foster hostility, tension, criticism, suspicion

• cmcns climates change overtime like the weather

How Communication Climates Develop

• Cmns climates are determined by the degree the individual feels valued by others

  • confriming cmms direct or indirect msgs includes: you exist/matter/important = make you feel appreciated and respected

  • disconfirming cmns : lack of regard, unimportance

• every msgs whether it makes you feel appreciated or not are tied to confirming and disconfirming attitudes = it’s how we speak and act that shapes the climate

• interpretation is subjective = need to understand relationship context

How Communication Climates Develop: Levels of Message Confirmation - 3 Tyeps of Confriming Messages

There is no guarantee that messages will always be interpreted as intended, but including these three types of messages = percieved as confirming

1. Recognition

   • the most fundamental form of confirmation = indicates awareness of other person’s existence

   • non-verbal: eye-contact, smile = acknowledgment of presence

   • verbal: i’ll be right with you, media replies indicates a future response from you

2. Acknowledgement

   • stronger form of confirmation = paying attention and understanding others

   • verbal: "I see your point” implies generosity through attention

3. Endorsement

   • = strongest type of confirming message = you agree or support the other person = highest form of valuing

   • non-verbal: mainting eye-contact, nodding when listening

   • verbal: agreeing, complimenting, praising

How Communication Climates Develop: 2 Types of Disagreeing Messages

Fall between confirming and disconfirming cmns and isn’t always easy to categorize

• constructive disagreement: components of recognition and acknowledgement

• deconstructive: wipes away any recognition or acknowledgement - You’re an Idiot

1. Argumentativeness

   • presenting and defending own' position while opposing the other

   • Positive climate: I disagree because… deliver arguments in a supportive affirming way

   • collectivist value high power distance

2. Complaining

   • expressing dissatisfaction when not prepared or wanting to engage in argument

   • constructive: behavioural complaints (you always do this)

   • destructive: aimed at personal characteristics = harder to forget (you’re such a slob)

How Communication Climates Develop: 2 Types of Disconfirming Messages

Are often subtle messages but are more damaging than disagreeing one = conveys you’re not valued

• being ignored or interrupted = not valued

• talking to someone who’s distracted = not important

1. Aggressiveness

   • attacking someone’s character, background, identity

   • Bullying = lower self-eseem, burnout, depression, death

2. Ostracism

   • excluding others from interaction

   • people would rather have neg. attention than no attention

   • silent treatment, ghosting = you can’t communicate = you don’t exist

Cause and Effects of Defensiveness

• a predictable reaction to disagreeing or disconfirming msgs = pollute cmns climate

• protecting presenting face’s image

• occurs when critcism are perceived as untrue attacks (a friend calling you self-centred when you’re not)

  • individualistic ppl are more likely to deflect criticism

  • communual are more likely to interpret ambiguous msgs as supportive and accept criticism

• competent communicators protect face by offering constructive criticism. 911 reciervers soften inquires by using Can you instead of Tell me = sounds more like a request and maintains a supportive climate

Climate Patterns

• cmns climates naturally perpetuate themselves forming either positive or negative spirals

• spirals aren’t permanent

  • successful relationships = ability to interrupt negative patterns and recover

    • facilitated by conscious efforts to de-escalate, strong cmns

• perpetuation is driven by reciprocity = individuals match cmns style to partner

Creating Supportive Climates : Gibb Categories

• since cmns is complex Gibb Categories offers strategies to send supportive/positive messages and build positive relational climates

Creating Supportive Climates : Gibb Categories : Evaluation vs. Description

Evaluation = defensive bhvr

• judging the other person

• lacks explanation for your conclusions

• uses YOU language = defensiveness

Description = supportive bhvr

• a constructive way of expressing complaints, sharing thoughts and feelings without judging the listener

• documented oversvations

• focus on bhvr than can be changed

• uses I language (I feel unimportant when)

Creating Supportive Climates : Gibb Categories : Controlling Cmns vs. Problem Orientation

Control = defensive bhvr

• sender forces their solution to receiver = disregards receiver’s needs or interests

• achieved through status or physical power

• generates hosility = entails “I know what’s best for you”

Problem Orientation = Supportive bhvr

• collaborative solution finding that satisfies the needs of all parties

• achieves an outcome where everyone wins

• uses we language = decisions are made with others and not for them

Creating Supportive Climates : Gibb Categories : Strategy vs. Spontaneity

Strategy = defensive bhvr

• speaker hides ulterior motives = dishonesty and manipulation

• provides limited info to make to trap others into refusion

• listeners use defense mechanism (why do you want to know?)

Spontaneity

• being the most honest without manipulation

• self-disclosure should still be in mind

• sets aside hidden agendas

Creating Supportive Climates : Gibb Categories : Neutrality vs. Empathy

Neutrality = defensive bhvr

• lack of concern for the other’s welfare = unimportant

• disconfirming

• evokes hostility

Empathy = supportive bhvr

• ability to understand person’s pov

• removes indifference in cmns

• reduces threats of person’s self-concept

Creating Supportive Climates : Gibb Categories : Superiority vs. Equality

Superiority = defensive bhvr

• sending patronizing messages (I’m better than you)

• leads to dislike = defensiveness

Equality = supportive bhvr

• conveying respect

• communicates in a way that uplifts both parties = equal worth

Creating Supportive Climates : Gibb Categories : Certainty vs. Provisionalism

Certainty = defensive bhvr

• claim to be absolutely right and believe their way is right without needing more info

• disregards others’ ideas = lack of respect for others

• uses never, always, must

Provisionalism = supportive bhvr

• expresses openness to others’ ideas and opinions

• aids discussion through open-minded messages

• uses maybe, might, possibly

Invitational Communication

• where participants create an environment for growth and change without the motive of changing others

• welcoms other’s viewpoints, open-minded listening, criticizes msgs without affending personal beliefs

• climate based on value, safety, freedom

Incivility cmns = gaslighting, ghosting, bullying

Invitational Communication : The Language of Choice

• limit use of obligatory language (I have to/should/can’t) = pressure and obligation = lack of motivation

• instead of power of choice-oriented language (I’m going to/will/decided) = reflect personal choice = sense of empowerment = motivation and control

• adopts invitational attitude that values your own and others’ freedom, safety, and input and dialogue

• freedom of choice (you are free to say no)

Invitational Communication : Responding Non-defensively to Criticism

1. Seek more information

2. Agree with the critic

1. seek more information

   • before reacting to criticism try to understand the person’s perspective

   • listen open-mindedly eithout accepting criticism

   • allows you to better explain your position if you disagree or acknowledge if criticism is valid

Can seek more info by asking for clarification, guessing the specifics of complaint (was it my?), or paraphrasing their thoughts and feelings = show you’re engaged and aids uncovering their objections

2. Agree with critic

   • acknowledging and accepting their pov while maintaining your stance

   • avoids unproductive arguments = respectful cmns climate

Can agree with critic through valid facts (you’re right. I am angry), in principle, or perception (I see how that may come off offensive)