Exam 2 Review Notes

Chapter 5: Nonverbal Communication

  • Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication

  • Nonverbal communication is often continuous and multi-channel.

  • It is typically more reliable than verbal communication since it aligns more closely with emotional expression.

  • Functions include conveying messages, expressing feelings, and regulating interaction.

  • Similarities & Differences with Verbal Communication

  • Similarities: both are used to convey messages and feelings.

  • Differences: nonverbal communication is often subconscious and context-dependent, while verbal communication is more structured and explicit.

  • Relationship-Level Meanings of Nonverbal Communication

  • Responsiveness: Nonverbal cues indicate how engaged a person is (e.g., smiling, nodding).

  • Immediacy: Nonverbal behaviors that enhance closeness (e.g., physical proximity).

  • Liking: Expressed through positive body language, such as open posture and eye contact.

  • Power: Nonverbal signals can communicate dominance or submission (e.g., standing tall vs. slouching).

  • Cultural Differences in Nonverbal Communication

  • Different cultures interpret nonverbal cues uniquely (e.g., eye contact can be seen as confidence or disrespect).

  • Types of Nonverbal Communication

  • Artifacts: Personal objects that convey meaning (e.g., clothing, accessories).

  • Silence: Can be powerful in conveying meaning (e.g., comfort, discomfort).

  • Physical Appearance: Impacts perceptions and judgments of others.

  • Environmental Factors: Physical space influences communication (e.g., open vs. closed spaces).

  • Chronemics: Study of time in communication; polychronic (multiple tasks) vs. monochronic (single-focused).

  • Haptics: Use of touch in communication (e.g., handshakes, hugs).

  • Paralanguage & Paralinguistic Cues: Tone, volume, and pitch convey meaning beyond words.

  • Proxemics: Study of personal space and the use of space in communication.

  • Kinesics: Study of body movements, including facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact.

Chapter 6: Listening

  • Forms of Nonlistening

  • Ambushing: Listening to gather information to attack the speaker.

  • Defensive Listening: Perceiving a speaker as attacking or critiquing.

  • Literal Listening: Focusing only on the words, ignoring nonverbal cues.

  • Monopolizing: Continuously talking over others or dominating conversations.

  • Pseudolistening: Faking attention while not actually listening.

  • Selective Listening: Hearing only parts of the message that interest you.

  • Difference Between Hearing & Listening

  • Hearing is a physiological process; listening is a cognitive process involving interpretation.

  • Mindfulness: Being fully present when listening, avoiding distractions.

  • Dual Perspective: Understanding both your viewpoint and the speaker’s perspective.

  • Person Centered Listening: Tailoring listening approaches based on the other person’s needs.

  • Types of Listening

  • Comprehensive, critical, empathic, informational.

  • Paraphrasing & Minimal Encouragers

  • Repeating back what the speaker has said in your own words to confirm understanding.

  • Minimal encouragers (e.g., nodding, saying “uh-huh”) show engagement.

  • 6 Parts of Listening

  1. Receiving
  2. Understanding
  3. Evaluating
  4. Remembering
  5. Responding
  6. Feedback

  • External Obstacles

  • Overload of messages, complexity of messages, and environmental noise (distractions).

  • Internal Obstacles

  • Preoccupation with personal thoughts and prejudgment of the speaker or situation.

Chapter 7: Emotions

  • Emotions: Complex psychological states involving subjective experience, physiological response, and behavioral expression.

  • Emotional Intelligence (5 Characteristics)

  • Self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills.

  • Different Views of Emotions

  • Organismic: Emotions are biologically based.

  • Perceptual/Cognitive Labeling: Emotions arise from cognitive interpretation of events.

  • Interactive: Emotions are influenced by social interactions.

  • Emotion Work

  • Deep Acting: Changing one’s internal feelings to match expected emotional responses.

  • Surface Acting: Omitting true feelings and showing socially acceptable responses.

  • Emotional Labor: Managing feelings and expressions to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job.

  • Reasons Why We Don’t Express Emotions

  • Fear of judgment, belief that emotions are not appropriate, fear of vulnerability.

  • Ineffective Expressions

  • Speaking in generalities, failing to own feelings, using counterfeit emotional language.

  • Chilling Effect: Hesitancy to express emotions due to fear of negative consequences.

  • Guidelines for Communicating Emotions Effectively

  • Be specific, express ownership of feelings, ensure appropriate timing.

Chapter 8: Communication Climate

  • Communication Climate: The emotional tone of a relationship, characterized by trust, safety, and openness.

  • Commitment and Investment: Necessary for sustaining healthy communication; emotional and time investment is crucial.

  • Communication Privacy Management (CPM)

  • Managing privacy boundaries regarding personal information; boundary turbulence occurs when privacy is disrupted.

  • 3 Levels of Confirmation

  1. Recognition
  2. Acknowledgment
  3. Endorsement

  • Confirming vs. Disconfirming Messages

  • Evaluative vs. Descriptive: Evaluative messages pass judgment, whereas descriptive messages provide information.

  • Certainty vs. Provisionalism: Certainty is dogmatic, while provisionalism allows for flexibility and open-mindedness.

  • Strategy vs. Spontaneity: Strategy implies ulterior motives, while spontaneity is open and honest.

  • Control vs. Problem Orientation: Control seeks to dominate, whereas problem orientation seeks collaboration.

  • Neutrality vs. Empathy: Neutral messages lack concern, while empathetic messages show understanding.

  • Superiority vs. Equality: Superiority places one above others, whereas equality promotes mutual respect.

  • Relational Dialectics

  • Autonomy/Connection: Balancing independence with closeness in relationships.

  • Novelty/Predictability: The need for both excitement and stability.

  • Openness/Closedness: The balance between sharing personal information and maintaining privacy.

  • Ethnocentrism: The belief in the superiority of one’s culture over others; can hinder understanding and communication.

  • Reciprocity of Disclosure: Sharing information that encourages openness and strengthens relationships.

  • Self-Disclosure and Trust: Sharing personal information builds trust and intimacy in relationships.