"No. You have a bad attitude." (preconceived notions about something; judgments or predispositions toward something)
Even if someone doesn’t know a lot about something, they likely have some kind of judgment about it.
This collection of judgments and predispositions is what we call an attitude.
Beliefs:
Beliefs are more set in stone than attitudes.
Based on past experiences or convictions.
Generally, confidently expressed convictions are beliefs.
Behaviors:
Behaviors are actions that people take.
Interconnection:
Communication affects us more than we might initially expect.
This sets the stage for discussing ethics and how we speak about and treat others.
Practical implication:
When evaluating messages in ethics, consider how attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors shape interpretation and response.
Plagiarism and Ethical Considerations
Plagiarism definition:
A form of ethical dishonesty/ethical violation because it uses the work of others as your own.
It involves taking someone else’s work and passing it off as your own.
Intentions aren’t always present: plagiarism can be accidental, but it is still plagiarism.
Tips to avoid plagiarism this semester:
Start early to avoid the temptation to use information without proper citation. Put in the work to cite information correctly.
You will need to cite sources twice for presentations this semester:
once during the presentation (oral citations), and
again on a references page with your outline. APA 7 formatting is used in this class.
Keep track of sources throughout the project (e.g., a giant Word doc or Google doc with hyperlinks to all sources).
Clarification on what to cite:
Anytime you use others’ words, ideas, or quotes, you must cite it.
Anything that isn’t your own work or not considered common knowledge.
Common knowledge examples provided: "The sky is blue"; "The Earth revolves around the sun." If unsure what counts as common knowledge, ask for guidance.
If unsure, err on the side of citation: when in doubt, cite it.
Guidance on common knowledge distinctions:
If you’re uncertain about whether something is common knowledge, discuss with the instructor or peers to avoid unintentional plagiarism.
If a fact is not something a typical reader would be expected to know, it should be cited.
Strategy:
When in doubt, cite it or seek clarification to avoid plagiarism.
Activity: Messages Have Power in Your Life
Task:
Pair up with a buddy and discuss how others’ messages have affected you recently and how your messages have affected others recently.
Reintroduce yourself to your buddy and learn their name; then share in the group later.
Illustrative experiences from the instructor (RA):
RA responsibilities: talking to residents, health concerns, roommate troubles—"how are y’all already having?" implying evolving community dynamics early in the semester.
Upperclassman dorm context (PDX): fewer expectations than freshman dorms; residents have been on campus longer and may know what they’re doing, but issues persist.
Reflection on how experiences affect the view of the job and the dynamics of communication within the dorm (see third-person narrative).
Personal impact of messages: "active member" status and how what was said affected girls rushing through the houses; potential effects on attitudes toward sororities or organizations.
Takeaway:
Messages shape attitudes and organizational climates; communication strategies matter in managing group dynamics.
Business Environments: Turbulence, Competition, and Culture
Why turbulence matters:
Companies may seek to create a turbulent environment to gain an advantage (e.g., strategic takeovers, introducing new services).
Example: Meta’s Threads introduced to compete with Twitter/X as a case of strategic market entry.
Turbulence can be intentional or unintentional and affects market positioning and adaptability.
Market scanning:
Market scanning is the process of looking at your field to identify trends, changes, and directions to inform future decisions.
Example anecdote: The instructor noticed a shift in how students read for pleasure, with some bringing physical books to class more often, suggesting a potential shift toward physical media or a blip influenced by book-related trends.
Note: The observation is anecdotal and not backed by formal research; it illustrates how market scanning can generate hypotheses.
Possible interpretations:
A rise in physical book sales could benefit publishers or indicate a broader trend; or
It could be a temporary blip influenced by influencers or other factors (e.g., book-talk communities).
Global competition and digital marketplaces:
Online marketplaces (e.g., Amazon) enable competition that erodes the advantage of local stores.
Small, local businesses increasingly compete with large, international franchises.
Workforce diversity:
A diverse workforce includes varied cultural backgrounds, languages, personal experiences, and disciplinary majors.
With diversity comes potential misunderstandings; detecting and addressing these problems early improves communication effectiveness.
Communication technologies:
Tools like ChatGPT, Google, Zoom have dramatically altered access to information and modes of communication.
Over the past roughly 30 years, these technologies have reshaped business and education.
Practical implications for leaders:
Scanning the market helps anticipate changes and adapt strategies.
Leaders should build capabilities to navigate diverse teams and rapidly evolving tech environments.
Market Scanning in Practice: An Honors Undergraduate Lens
Prompt:
Use your familiarity as an honors undergraduate to conduct market scanning.
Group up to 3- to 4-person teams and use your device to access information.
Purpose:
Develop hands-on skills to observe trends, evaluate sources, and anticipate future developments in your field.
Connections to Core Concepts and Real-World Relevance
Ethical considerations:
Plagiarism is not only a classroom issue but relates to integrity in professional settings; proper citation practices are essential for credibility and trust.
Foundational communication principles:
Attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors shape how messages are received and interpreted.
Effective communication must acknowledge audience beliefs and potential biases.
Real-world relevance:
Understanding market dynamics, global competition, and technology-driven change is critical for career readiness.
Skills in market scanning and ethical communication translate into practical decision-making in business, academia, and public life.
Practical and Ethical Implications Summary
Ethical implications:
Avoiding plagiarism preserves integrity and trust; proper citation is a practical skill with ethical dimension.
Philosophical implications:
How we know what counts as common knowledge influences our responsibility to cite and to question assumptions.
Practical implications:
Start early, track sources, cite both orally and on reference pages, and stay aware of evolving communication technologies and market conditions.
Formulas and numbers referenced in context:
Market observation and change timelines are discussed over extended periods such as 10- to 20-year horizons and the more recent 30-year window for technology changes.
Group work and collaboration:
Group sizes of 3 to 4 foster diverse perspectives and collaborative analysis, mirroring real-world team dynamics.
Exercise and Next Steps
Engage in a market scanning activity with peers to practice the concepts covered.
Be prepared to discuss how your own messages affect others and how you interpret others’ messages in a group setting.
Reflect on how changes in technology and global competition might influence your field of study and future career.