Communication Midterm flashcard (terms and concepts)

Communication

• the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, or feelings between individuals or groups through various means (spoken, written, body language, signals, etc.).

Types of communication

verbal, nonverbal, paralanguage

verbal

• Spoken and written words.

nonverbal

•  Body language, facial expressions, gestures, and other visual signals.

paralanguage

Tone, pitch, volume, and speech rate

animal communication

vocalizations, body language chemical signals, and visual signals

vocalizations

• Whales and birds use sounds to communicate.

body language

•  Dogs and bees communicate through body movements.

chemical signals

 Ants and moths use pheromones

visual signals

• Fireflies use light; cuttlefish change colors.

Artistotle’s model

•  Focuses on speaker, message, and audience.

Shannon-Weaver model

•  Highlights the role of noise in communication.

Berlo’s S-M-C-R model

• Considers Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver.

verbal communication

consists of Phonology, syntax, semantics, and morphology

phonology

• Study of speech sounds.

syntax

Rules for structuring sentences.

semantics

Study of word meanings.

morphology

 Study of word forms.

paralanguage

consists of pitch, volume, rate, and non-fluency features

pitch

• High or low tone; can express emotion (e.g., excitement or sadness).

volume

• Loud or soft speech; can indicate emphasis or shyness.

rate

•  Fast or slow speech; can suggest anxiety or thoughtfulness.

non-fluency features

• Hesitations, pauses, and fillers like "um" and "uh."

nonverbal communication

facial expressions, gestures ,,body language, proxemics, and haptics

facial expressions

universally convey emotions

gestures

movements of hands or arms to express meaning

functions of paralanguage

• Express emotions, regulate conversation, and add emphasis.

good communication

effective when it conveys the intended message clearly, ensuring that both the sender and receiver understand each other.

complexity of emotions in language

Simple phrases like "I am happy" may not fully express complex emotions. Nonverbal cues like tone of voice and body language can add depth.

Plato’s cratylus

Explores whether words are natural (connected to the essence of things) or conventional (agreed-upon labels).

Aristotle’s view on language

Language is a tool for expressing thought but has limitations, as words are not always precise in conveying meaning.

Sapir-Whorf hypothesis

Suggests that language influences thought and perception. Different languages can affect how we perceive color, space, and time.

Ethical communication

Conveying messages honestly, fairly, and with respect for others' rights and feelings.

Principles of ethical communication

honesty, transparency, respect and empathy, confidentiality, accountability, and cultural sensitivity

honesty

 Providing truthful and accurate information.

transparency

Clarifying your intentions.

respect and empathy

Listening actively and avoiding harmful language.

confidentiality

Protecting private information.

accountability

Taking responsibility for your mistakes.

cultural sensitivity

Being mindful of cultural differences and avoiding stereotypes.

ethical dilemmas

Balancing confidentiality with transparency, respecting cultural norms, and avoiding manipulative communication.

cultural identity

 Language connects individuals to their cultural heritage (e.g., speaking a native language fosters a sense of belonging)

regional identity

Accents and dialects can reveal geographical background (e.g., Southern vs. Northern US accents)

language and social class

Certain dialects or accents may be associated with higher or lower socioeconomic status, influencing job opportunities and social perceptions

code-switching

Alternating between languages or language varieties depending on the context (e.g., switching from formal to informal language).

register in language

The level of formality or style of language used in different settings (e.g., formal in a job interview, informal with friends)

sociolinguistics

The study of how language varies and changes in social contexts, reflecting social class, ethnicity, and gender.

negative perceptions of code-switching

Can be seen as inauthentic or reinforce stereotypes

positive perceptions of code-switching

Helps build rapport and expresses multifaceted identity

confrontation

the act of engaging in conflict, disagreement, or opposition with another person or group. It often involves addressing problems directly, expressing differing opinions, or dealing with emotionally charged situations

direct engagement

Addressing an issue or conflict head-on

opposition of disagreement

 Confrontations often arise when two or more parties hold differing views or interests

emotional involvement

 Confrontations are often emotionally charged, depending on the stakes or personal significance of the issuedire

direct confrontation

Clear, verbal communication of the issue and desired outcome (common in low-context cultures like the U.S. or Germany)

indirect confrontation

Relies on subtle cues, non-verbal communication, or suggestions (common in high-context cultures like Japan or Korea)

assertive communication

 Respectful, solution-focused, and clear without infringing on others' rights

aggressive communication

Seeks to dominate or belittle the other person, leading to escalation

high-context cultures

rely on non-verbal cues and implied meanings in communication, making confrontation more subtle to avoid disrupting social harmony

low-context cultures

 value direct, explicit communication, which may prioritize getting the message across over preserving relationships

face saving strategies

In many Asian cultures this is crucial. Confrontations are handled delicately, often in private, to avoid public embarrassment

competing

High assertiveness, low cooperativeness

collaborating

High assertiveness, high cooperativeness

compromising

 Moderate assertiveness, moderate cooperativeness

avoiding

Low assertiveness, low cooperativeness

accommodating

Low assertiveness, high cooperativeness

assertiveness

 The extent to which someone attempts to satisfy their own concerns

cooperativeness

The extent to which someone attempts to satisfy the other party’s concerns

key elements of a logical argument

claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal

claim

The main point or assertion being argued.

grounds

The facts or data that support the claim

warrant

The reasoning that connects the evidence to the claim.

backing

Additional support for the warrant

qualifier

A statement limiting the strength of the claim

rebuttal

 Counterarguments and responses to opposing viewpoints

ad hominem

Attacking the person instead of the argument

strawman argument

Misrepresenting an opponent’s argument to make it easier to attack.

false dilemma

Presenting only two options when more exist

slippery slope

Suggesting that one minor action will lead to major, extreme consequences

post hoc ergo propter hoc

Assuming that because one event followed another, the first caused the second

key takeaways for success in confrontation

prepare your arguments, focus on solutions, stay assertive, identity fallacies