CHAPTER 1 Understanding Human Communication Ninth Edition AdlerRodman

CHAPTER 1 Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Three important characteristics of communication: • It occurs between humans • It is a process • It is symbolic Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Types of communication: • Intrapersonal • Dyadic/interpersonal • Small group • Public • Mass Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Communication helps satisfy needs in our lives: • Physical needs • Identity news • Social needs • Practical needs Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• Physical needs (lack strong relationships, 2 -3 x the risk of early death) • Identity needs (who we are) • Social needs (communicate pleasure, help others, inclusion, escape, relaxation, control) • Practical needs (what we want done) Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Communication skills: #1 characteristic employers want Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• Models of communication help us understand what is involved in this process: • The linear model is familiar, but overly simplistic (next) • The transactional model better describes how people communicate (relational) Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Transactional model: • Simultaneous sending and receiving • Fluid, not static • Relational, not individual • Both people are responsible for the relationship • No one ideal way to communicate! Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Figure 1 -2 Transactional Communication Model

Communication competence is a measure of a person’s effectiveness. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• Competence is situational. (I could have handled this better because…) • Competence is relational. • Competence skills can be learned. • Choose the most appropriate behavior. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• WIDE RANGE OF BEHAVIORS • Say nothing. • Ask a 3 rd party to express your feelings • Hint at your feelings • Joke about the issue Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• WIDE RANGE OF BEHAVIORS • Express your discomfort in a straightforward way • Demand action • How would you handle someone you know who repeatedly tells jokes you find offensive? Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• Empathy: Understanding the other person’s point of view • Cognitive Complexity: Ability to construct frameworks for viewing an issue. • Self-Monitoring: Pay close attention to your behavior Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• Communication doesn’t always require complete understanding: • How’s it going? Musicians in a jam session • Communication isn’t always a good thing • Value comes from how it is used Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• No single person or event causes another’s reaction • Nothing happens in a vacuum (even outbursts) Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• Communication won’t solve all problems • It takes much more • Meanings rest in people, not words • “He’s loaded” Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• Communication isn’t as simple as it often seems • We get better by learning and using the tools • More communication isn’t better • Talk a problem to death, go beyond the sale Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman always Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• What traits do good communicators have? • A wide range of behaviors, not just a few • The ability to choose the most appropriate behavior Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• Skill at performing behaviors • Empathy/perspective taking • Cognitive complexity • Self-monitoring ability • Commitment to the relationship Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• Write down five to ten ways you would like to communicate more effectively? • Boss • Parties • Loved one • Most effective communication channel to ask for help from an instructor? Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

• ID a situation in which you are dissatisfied with your present communication skill. • ID 3 potentially successful approaches you might use are different than what have tried in the past. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman that you Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Typical Exam Questions and answers Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Which of the following is an example of intrapersonal communication? a. any communication which is not face-to-face b. a dyad sharing high levels of self-disclosure c. your conscience d. watching a videotaped speech c. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition your conscience Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

One characteristic of human communication is that it is symbolic. In this symbolic communication meanings are located in: a. people b. words c. objects d. events a. people Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Evidence indicates marriage, friendship, and religious and community ties all increase longevity. Researchers think this is true because: a. People in these settings experience no stress. b. People in these settings have better developed senses of humor. c. These relationships help prevent social isolation. d. People in these settings have higher IQs. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Evidence indicates marriage, friendship, and religious and community ties all increase longevity. Researchers think this is true because: c. These relationships help prevent social isolation. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

The encoding process is best described by which of the following descriptions? a. organizing thoughts into ideas b. receiver acknowledgment that a message has been received c. formulating ideas or feelings into symbols d. identifying feelings and emotions c. formulating ideas or feelings into symbols Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

As we interact with others, we satisfy our identity needs. As we do this, we: a. are influenced by the reactions of others to us b. seek out the company of others who confirm the identity we already hold c. create messages to get others to see us the way we want to be seen d. all the above d. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition all the above Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

When your teacher pauses during a lecture because he or she notices several frowning faces, the teacher is illustrating that: a. Communication is irreversible. b. Communicators are simultaneously senders and receivers. c. Communication is a process. d. Communication is not always a good thing. b. Communicators are simultaneously senders and receivers. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

When we are searching for words to express an idea, we are involved in the process of: a. transmitting b. encoding c. assigning meaning d. decoding b. encoding Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Feedback is defined by your text as: a. a discernible response b. a mental response c. any response d. a verbal response a. a discernible response Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

John is trying to listen to a speech but his headache interferes. He's experiencing: a. external noise b. a distraction not classified as noise c. psychological noise d. physiological noise Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

The type of communication most often characterized by an unequal distribution of speaking time is: a. public b. dyadic c. intrapersonal d. small group a. public Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

According to your text, in most cases successful communication occurs when: a. everyone is satisfied b. the speaker is satisfied c. the listener is satisfied d. one person has more sophisticated communication skills a. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition everyone is satisfied Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Perspective taking is associated with: a. channels b. physiological noise c. empathy d. psychological noise c. empathy Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Interpersonal communication, dyadic communication, small group communication, and public communication all occur in different contexts. a. True b. False True---The number of participants frames a different context for each. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

A receiver's act of assigning meaning to a symbol is called encoding. a. True b. False---This refers to decoding. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Communication helps satisfy most of our human needs. a. True b. False True The text says this directly and describes the needs as physical, social, ego, and practical. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Noise can be internal and/or external. a. True b. False True External noise is physical noise. Internal noise is what the text calls psychological noise. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Your text claims that skillful communication can solve most of the world's problems. a. True b. False Clear and accurate communication can help solve some problems but it can also identify irresolvable differences. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Skilled communicators can quickly pick out which party is to blame when communication fails. a. True b. False Skilled communicators see assigning blame is fruitless and counterproductive. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Meanings rest in people, not in words. a. True b. False True Communication is symbolic and the words we use to communicate arbitrary and personal. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Symbols can be either verbal or nonverbal. a. True b. False True Both can be given symbolic meaning. Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition Adler/Rodman Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.