Chapter 2- Focusing on Interpersonal and Group Communication

Vocabulary for Exam 1 in BMGT 1305

Stereotyping

a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment

projected cognitive similarity

the tendency to assume others have the same norms and values as your own cultural group

outgroup homogeneity effect

the tendency to think members of other groups are all the same

attribution

the assignment of meaning to other people’s behavior

Self-concept

how we think about ourselves and describe ourselves to others

Self-concept

the process of integrating a variety of observations about a person into a coherent impression of that person

self-fulfilling prophecy

the idea that we see ourselves in ways that are consistent with how others see us

self-awareness

an understanding of the self, including one’s attitudes, values, beliefs, strengths, and weaknesses

intrapersonal communication

one’s perceptions, memories, experiences, feelings, interpretations, inferences, evaluations, attitudes, opinions, ideas, strategies, images, and states of consciousness

self-esteem

how we like and value ourselves and how we feel about ourselves

interpersonal intelligence

the ability to read, empathize, and understand others

intrapersonal intelligence

one’s communication with oneself, including memories, experiences, feelings, ideas, and attitudes

reflexivity

the capacity for reflection

metacommunication

a nonverbal message that, although not expressed in words, accompanies a message that is expressed in words

Vocal kinesic communication

intonation, projection, and resonance of the voice

Visual kinesic communication

gestures, winks, smiles, frowns, sighs, attire, grooming, and all kinds of body movements

Territoriality

a term associated with nonverbal communication that refers to how people use space (territory) to communicate ownership or occupancy of areas and possessions

Personal space

the physical space immediately surrounding someone, into which any encroachment feels threatening to or uncomfortable for them

Proxemics

the branch of knowledge that deals with the amount of space that people feel it necessary to set between themselves and others

polychronic time (P-time)

a time orientation associated with polychronic cultures, which tend to value interpersonal relationships

monochronic time (M-time)

a time orientation associated with monochronic cultures, which value schedules

Casual listening

listening for pleasure, recreation, amusement, and relaxation

Listening for information

listening that involves the search for data or material

Haptics

the use of the sense of touch

Intensive listening

listening to obtain information, solve problems, or persuade or dissuade

Empathetic listening

listening to others in an attempt to share their feelings or emotions

Active listening

requires that the listener fully concentrates, understands, responds, and then remembers what is being said

role

tasks employees assume that can involve power and authority that surpass their formal position in the organizational chart

norm

a standard or average behavior

quality assurance team

a team that focuses on product or service quality; projects can be either short or long term

task force

a team of workers that is generally given a single goal and a limited time to achieve it

status

one’s formal position in the organizational chart

cross-functional team

a team that brings together employees from various departments to solve a variety of problems

product development team

usually cross-functional in nature; a group of employees who concentrate on innovation and the development cycle of new products

Adjourning

now widely accepted as stage five of team development, involves the conclusion of the project and team members going their separate ways, though they may continue to keep in touch

Storming

stage two of team development, in which team members deal with conflicting personalities, goals, and ideas

Performing

stage four of team development, in which team members reach the optimal performance level

Norming

stage three of team development, in which team members develop strategies and activities that promote goal achievement

Forming

stage one of team development, in which team members become acquainted with each other and the assigned task

agenda

a meeting outline that includes important information (e.g., date, beginning and ending times, place, topics to be discussed, and responsibilities of those involved)

Consensus

represents the collective opinion of the group, or the informal rule that all team members can live with at least 70 percent of what is agreed upon

brainstorming

the generation of many ideas by team members