Oral Communications Mid-Term

Informal Communication

Casual, spontaneous communication such as hallway talk or text messages

Formal Communication

Planned, structured communication that follows organization channels

5 Conflict Management Strategies

1. Avoiding (withdraw/sidestep)

2. Accommodating (give in to others)

3. Competing (pursue own goals aggressively)

4. Compromising (partial win for each)

5. Collaborating (work together for mutual gain)

Private Communication Style

low disclosure, low feedback

Sociable Communication Style

high feedback, low disclosure

Dominant Communication Style

high disclosure, low feedback

Open Communication Style

high disclosure, high feedback

Face/Eyes

express emotion

Movement/Posture

show confidence or status

Gestures

illustrators, emblems, adaptors

Personal Space

proxemics

Physical Environemnt

Office Layout, Decor

Time

chronemics (punctuality/urgency)

status symbols

objects or behaviors that indicate prestige or authority

culture/nonverbals

nonverbal cues vary widely across cultures

Expectancy Violation Theory

people react when others behave differently than expected; violation can be positive or negative depending on perception

Immediacy behaviors

nonverbal actions that build closeness (eye contact, leaning in, smiling, touch)

Interview Types

information, employment, appraisal, Counseling, Exit, Persuasive, Problenm-solving

Opening (Interview Phase)

Establish rapport/purpose

Question-and-Answer (Interview Phase)

exchange information

Closing (Interview Phase)

summarize/next steps

Question Types

Open/Closed, Primary/Secondary, Behavioral questions

STAR method

Situation, Task, Action, Result (used for behavioral questions)

Resume

Concise summary of education, experience, and achievements

Cover letter

Personalized letter introducing yourself and showing fit for the role

Thank-you letter/email

follow-up after interview expressing appreciation

Answering Likely Questions

prepare for “strengths/weaknesses,” teamwork, leadership, problem solving

Legal vs. Illegal Questions

Employers may ask about skills & experience; may not ask about age, religion, marital statues, race, or disability

Small Group

3-12 independent people working toward a common goal

Group Characteristics

shared purpose, interdependence, norms, roles, interaction, identity

Groupthink

pressure for agreement suppresses critical thinking

Groupthink symptoms

illusion of unanimity, rationalization, pressure on dissenters, mindguards

Ways to avoid groupthink

encourage dissent, assign a devil’s advocate, use outside opinions, break into subgroups

Use of Criteria

Establish standards for evaluating options

Use of Reality-Testing

check ideas against facts and practicality

Dewey’s reflective thinking sequence

1. define

2. analyze

3. criteria

4. brainstorm

5. decide

6. implement

7. follow up

Groupthink Essay: 

• Define: pressure for agreement suppresses critical thinking

• Symptoms: illusion of unanimity, rationalization, pressure on dissenters, mind guards

• Ways to avoid: encourage dissent, assign a devil’s advocate, use outside opinions, break into subgroups