Competent Communication

by Dan O'Hair; Gustav W. Friedrich; John M. Wiemann; Mary Wiemann

• ISBN13: 9780312138578
• ISBN10: 0312138571
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1996-11-15
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

Summary

This competency-based hybrid text links communication theory to everyday skills and integrates coverage of intercultural communication and ethical issues into every chapter, giving students the chance to put what they learn into practice.

Table of Contents

PART 1 BASIC COMMUNICATION PROCESSES	2	(30)
Chapter 1 Communicating Competently	4	(28)
The Nature of Communication	6	(1)
The Six Characteristics of Communication	7	(5)
Symbolic Behavior	8	(1)
A Shared Code	8	(1)
Linked to Culture	9	(1)
Intentionality	10	(1)
A Medium for the Message	10	(1)
A Transactional Process	11	(1)
The Functions of Communication	12	(4)
The Functional Perspective	13	(1)
Control	14	(1)
Affiliation	15	(1)
Goal Achievement	15	(1)
Communication Relationships	16	(1)
Successful Communication	17	(3)
Appropriate Behavior	19	(1)
Effective Behavior	20	(1)
Competent Communication	20	(11)
Cultural and Relational Contexts	21	(3)
The Individuals	24	(2)
Interactional Goals	26	(1)
Relational History	27	(1)
Expectations for the Future	28	(1)
Conclusion	28	(3)
Review	31	(1)
Chapter 2 Perception and Processing Communication	32	(32)
Perception	34	(8)
Schema Theory	35	(3)
Mindlessness	38	(1)
Selective Perception	39	(1)
Improvement of Perception	40	(2)
Expectations	42	(1)
Attributions	43	(2)
Memory	45	(1)
The Memory Process	45	(1)
Improvement of Long-Term Memory	45	(1)
Cognitive Complexity and Cognitive Load	46	(3)
Channels	49	(4)
Media Selection	50	(1)
Limits of Channel Capacity	51	(2)
Culture	53	(8)
Responsibilities of a Host Culture	54	(1)
Responsibilities of a Foreign Culture	54	(2)
Cultural Diversity	56	(1)
Barriers to Competent Intercultural Communication	57	(2)
Changing Stereotypes	59	(1)
Embracing Differences	60	(1)
Goals	61	(2)
Review	63	(1)
Chapter 3 The Self and Communication	64	(30)
The Self and Communication Competence	66	(1)
Self-Concept	66	(5)
Effect on Competent Communication	67	(1)
Schemas and Communication	68	(3)
Self-Esteem	71	(3)
Attitudes toward Self	72	(1)
Self-Certainty	72	(2)
Self-Efficacy	74	(1)
Effort	74	(1)
Coping with Stress	74	(1)
Self-Presentation	75	(3)
High Self-Monitoring	76	(1)
Low Self-Monitoring	77	(1)
Self-Disclosure	78	(7)
Trust	80	(1)
Targeting Self-Disclosure	80	(2)
Reasons for Self-Disclosure	82	(3)
Cultural and Gender Differences	85	(1)
Feedback	85	(3)
Competence Assessment	88	(5)
Self-Actualization	88	(1)
Self-Adequacy	89	(1)
Self-Denigration	90	(3)
Review	93	(1)
Chapter 4 Language and Communication	94	(30)
Language Acquisition	96	(5)
Nature	96	(1)
Nurture	97	(1)
Cognition	98	(1)
Interaction	98	(1)
Homology	99	(2)
Communication Acquisition	101	(3)
Controlling	101	(1)
Feeling	102	(1)
Informing	102	(1)
Imagining	103	(1)
Ritualizing	104	(1)
Language and Thought	104	(6)
The Triangle of Meaning	105	(2)
The Abstraction Ladder	107	(3)
Language and Culture	110	(2)
The Sapir/Whorf Hypothesis	110	(1)
High- and Low-Context Cultures	110	(2)
Language and Context	112	(3)
Language Reflects Context	112	(1)
Language Builds on Context	113	(2)
Language Determines Context	115	(1)
Male and Female Language	115	(4)
Conversation Content	116	(1)
Control and Affiliation	116	(2)
Roles, Culture, and Gender in Conversation	118	(1)
The Language of Relationships	119	(4)
Relationship Definition	119	(1)
The Language of Intimacy and Distance	120	(1)
The Language of Control	121	(2)
Review	123	(1)
Chapter 5 Nonverbal Communication	124	(34)
The Impact of Nonverbal Communication	126	(1)
Origins	126	(1)
Codes	127	(18)
Appearance and Artifacts	127	(5)
Gestures and Body Movements	132	(2)
Facial Expressions	134	(1)
Eye Behavior	135	(3)
Paralanguage	138	(1)
Touch	139	(3)
Space	142	(2)
Time Orientations	144	(1)
Scents and Smells	145	(1)
The Relationship between Nonverbal and Verbal Communication	145	(1)
Competence Factors	146	(2)
Culture	146	(1)
Context and Situation	147	(1)
Functions	148	(7)
Relationship Management	149	(1)
Interaction Management	149	(2)
Social Influence	151	(1)
Deception	152	(1)
Forming Impressions	153	(2)
Competent Nonverbal Communication	155	(2)
Review	157	(1)
Chapter 6 Developing Listening Skills	158	(34)
Listening: The Least Developed Communication Skill	160	(3)
A Definition of Listening	160	(1)
The Costs of Ineffective Listening	160	(1)
The Rewards of Competent Listening	161	(2)
The Functions of Listening	163	(2)
Comprehensive Listening	163	(1)
Empathic Listening	163	(1)
Critical Listening	164	(1)
Appreciative Listening	164	(1)
Develop Competent Listening Skills	165	(3)
Adjust Your Listening/Speaking Ratio	167	(1)
A Process for Improvement	167	(1)
Manage Your Skills	168	(6)
Assess Your Listening Self-Concept	168	(2)
Recognize Your Listening Barriers	170	(2)
Set Listening Goals	172	(2)
Manage the Context	174	(2)
The Setting: Place, Emotion, and Time	174	(1)
Cultural Factors	175	(1)
Third Parties	176	(1)
Adjust to the Speaker	176	(4)
Relational History	176	(1)
Goals and Expectations	177	(1)
Communication Style	177	(3)
Listen Critically	180	(3)
Determine the Thesis or Main Point	180	(1)
Focus Your Efforts	181	(1)
Critically Decode Nonverbal Cues	181	(1)
Use Your Memory Effectively	182	(1)
Listen Interactively	183	(2)
Nonverbal Facilitation	183	(1)
Verbal Reinforcers	184	(1)
Questioning Techniques	185	(2)
Review	187	(1)
Case Study 1 The Case of the Communication Class	188	(2)
Epilogue 1 Communication Competence as a Goal for Social Interaction	190	(2)
PART 2 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION	192	(104)
Chapter 7 Developing and Maintaining Relationships	194	(34)
Relational Knowledge	196	(1)
Goals and Motivations for Relationship Development	196	(4)
Interpersonal Attraction	197	(1)
Physical Proximity	197	(1)
Alleviating Loneliness	198	(1)
Stimulation	198	(1)
Achieving Goals	199	(1)
Expectations	200	(3)
Expectations about Relationships	200	(1)
Expectations about Relational Partners	200	(1)
Violated Expectations	201	(1)
Knowledge, Motives, and Expectations	202	(1)
Costs and Rewards	203	(1)
Strategies for Reducing Uncertainty	204	(3)
Monitoring Strategies	205	(1)
Proactive Strategies	205	(1)
Indirect Strategies	206	(1)
Stages of a Relationship	207	(13)
The Initial Stage	207	(2)
The Exploratory Stage	209	(1)
The Intensification Stage	209	(1)
The Stable Stage	209	(5)
The Decline Stage	214	(2)
Relational Repair	216	(2)
The Termination Stage	218	(2)
Reconciliation	220	(1)
Types of Relationships	220	(5)
Friendship	220	(2)
Family	222	(3)
Competent Relationships	225	(2)
Review	227	(1)
Chapter 8 Managing Conflict in Interpersonal Relationships	228	(32)
Conditions Producing Interpersonal Conflict	230	(2)
Incompatible Goals	230	(1)
Unrealistic Expectations	230	(1)
Differing Rates of Relational Growth	231	(1)
Inaccurate Perceptions and Attributions	231	(1)
Cultural Differences in Handling Conflict	232	(1)
Conflict as Inevitable and Healthy Communication	232	(4)
Decision Making	233	(1)
Enjoyment of Conflict	234	(1)
Relational Growth	234	(1)
Saving Time	235	(1)
A Model of Competent Conflict Management	236	(23)
Prelude	236	(7)
Assessment	243	(1)
Engagement	244	(3)
Action	247	(8)
Decision	255	(1)
Reflection	256	(3)
Review	259	(1)
Chapter 9 Principles of Competent Interviewing	260	(36)
Defining the Interview	262	(1)
The Roles of Interviewer and Interviewee	263	(1)
Basic Interviewing Strategies	264	(15)
Developing Clear Goals	265	(1)
Identifying Potential Barriers	265	(1)
Creating an Appropriate Interview Structure	266	(5)
Using Effective Questions	271	(6)
Responding Effectively	277	(2)
The Employment Interview	279	(12)
Preparing for the Interview	280	(5)
Participating in the Interview	285	(6)
Review	291	(1)
Case Study 2 The Case of Jennifer's Problem at Work	292	(2)
Epilogue 2 Competence in Interpersonal Communication	294	(2)
PART 3 GROUP AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION	296	(94)
Chapter 10 Communicating in Small Groups	298	(32)
How Groups Differ from Dyads	300	(3)
Number of Interactants	300	(1)
Complexity of Relationships	301	(2)
Factors Affecting Individual Competence	303	(7)
Critical Thinking	303	(2)
Attributions	305	(1)
Perceptions	306	(1)
Communication Apprehension	307	(3)
Factors Affecting Group Communication	310	(4)
Interdependence	310	(1)
Cohesion	310	(1)
Groupthink and Productive Conflict	311	(1)
Norms	312	(2)
Group Image	314	(1)
Improving Group Communication	314	(8)
Goal Setting	315	(1)
Agenda Setting	316	(1)
Deliberation and Participation	317	(1)
Roles	318	(2)
Networks	320	(2)
Special Groups and Techniques	322	(3)
The Nominal Group Technique	322	(1)
Self-Managing Teams	323	(2)
Evaluation: Competence in Group Communication	325	(4)
Review	329	(1)
Chapter 11 Leadership and Decision Making in Groups	330	(26)
Group Leadership	332	(5)
Leadership Defined	332	(1)
Types of Leadership	333	(2)
Shared Leadership	335	(2)
Competent Leadership	337	(1)
The Complexity of Making Decisions in Groups	337	(9)
Decision-Making Variables	337	(2)
Decision-Making Skills	339	(2)
Values and Goals Clarification	341	(2)
Expectations	343	(1)
Time Pressures	344	(2)
Conflict	346	(1)
The Decision-Making Process	346	(5)
Identifying the Problem	346	(1)
Conducting Research	347	(1)
Establishing Guidelines and Criteria	348	(1)
Generating Alternatives	348	(1)
Evaluating Alternatives	349	(1)
Selecting the Best Alternative	349	(1)
Implementing the Solution	349	(1)
Evaluating the Results	350	(1)
Working on Committees, Task Forces, and Boards	351	(1)
Evaluating Group Performance	352	(3)
Group Evaluation	352	(1)
Individual Evaluation	353	(2)
Review	355	(1)
Chapter 12 Communicating in Organizations	356	(34)
Communication in Modern Organizations	358	(4)
Demands on Communication Today	358	(1)
What Has Happened in Organizations in the Last 20 Years?	359	(3)
Looking at the Big Picture	362	(5)
The Organizational Culture	362	(2)
Organizations as Systems	364	(3)
Communication Contexts in Organizations	367	(3)
Superior-Subordinate Relationships	367	(1)
Team Building and Team Leading	368	(1)
Interdepartmental and Interorganizational Relationships	369	(1)
Communication Skills in Organizations	370	(15)
Using Communication Channels Properly	370	(2)
Using Communication Networks Effectively	372	(2)
Responding to Sexual Harassment	374	(1)
Negotiating	375	(1)
Mentoring	376	(1)
Mastering Communication Technology	377	(5)
Communication Competence in Organizations	382	(3)
Review	385	(1)
Case Study 3 The Case of the Group Presentation	386	(2)
Epilogue 3 Competence in Group Communication	388	(2)
PART 4 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION	390
Chapter 13 Preparing and Delivering Presentations	392	(36)
The Nature of Public Speaking	394	(1)
Clarifying the Purpose for Speaking	395	(5)
General Purposes for Speeches	396	(1)
Strategies for Choosing a Topic	396	(4)
Making a Choice	400	(1)
Audience Analysis	400	(3)
Types of Audiences	401	(1)
Reference Groups	402	(1)
Situational Expectations	403	(1)
Identifying and Organizing Main Points	403	(3)
Identifying Main Points and Writing a Thesis Statement	403	(1)
Generating Ideas	404	(1)
Choosing an Organizational Pattern	405	(1)
Providing Support for Main Ideas	406	(6)
Applying Principles of Learning	407	(1)
Using Verbal and Nonverbal Forms of Support	407	(5)
Outlining the Speech	412	(2)
Developing Introductions, Transitions, and Conclusions	414	(2)
The Introduction	414	(1)
Transitions	415	(1)
The Conclusion	415	(1)
Guidelines for Delivery	416	(4)
Impromptu Speaking	418	(1)
Extemporaneous Speaking	419	(1)
Speaking from a Manuscript	419	(1)
Speaking from Memory	420	(1)
Communication Apprehension	420	(7)
Recognizing Communication Apprehension	421	(1)
Treatments for Severe Communication Apprehension	421	(1)
Ways of Coping with Mild Communication Apprehension	422	(5)
Review	427	(1)
Chapter 14 Informative Presentations	428	(26)
The Importance of Informative Presentations	430	(2)
Topics for Informative Presentations	432	(3)
People	433	(1)
Places	433	(1)
Things	434	(1)
Events	434	(1)
Processes	434	(1)
Concepts	434	(1)
Problems	435	(1)
Plans and Policies	435	(1)
Types of Informative Speeches	435	(5)
Descriptive Speeches	435	(1)
Demonstration Speeches	436	(1)
Definitional Speeches	437	(1)
Explanatory Speeches	438	(2)
Barriers to Communicating Information	440	(2)
Content Barriers	440	(1)
Presentational Barriers	441	(1)
Guidelines for Informative Presentations	442	(7)
Adapting Your Presentation to Your Audience	442	(1)
Choosing Main Points, Organizational Patterns, and Forms of Support	443	(4)
Polishing the Speech	447	(2)
Review	449	(1)
Informative Student Speech	450	(4)
Chapter 15 Persuasive Presentations	454	(26)
Persuasive Speaking, Past and Present	456	(1)
Defining Persuasion	457	(1)
Forms of Persuasive Speaking	458	(2)
Propositions of Fact	458	(1)
Propositions of Value	459	(1)
Concern about a Problem	459	(1)
Propositions of Policy	459	(1)
Generating and Evaluating Arguments: Toulmin's Model	460	(1)
Forms of Proof	461	(10)
Motivational Proof: Maslow's Hierarchy	462	(2)
Ethical Proof	464	(5)
Logical Proof	469	(2)
A Theoretical Approach to Persuasive Effects	471	(1)
Thinking Critically about Persuasive Speeches	472	(3)
Listening Critically	472	(1)
Thinking Critically about Your Speech	473	(2)
Review	475	(1)
Persuasive Student Speech	476	(4)
Chapter 16 Understanding and Using Mass Communication	480
The Mediated Society	482	(4)
The Functions of Mass Communication	482	(3)
Critical Evaluation of Mass Communication	485	(1)
Understanding the Mass Communication Environment	486	(4)
The Expanding Uses of Mass Communication	486	(1)
Distinctive Characteristics of Mass Communication	486	(2)
Regulators of Mass Media	488	(2)
Effects of Mass Communication	490	(3)
Direct Effects	490	(1)
Two-Step Flow	491	(1)
Agenda Setting	491	(1)
Cultivation	492	(1)
Uses and Gratifications	493	(1)
Being a Critical Consumer	493	(4)
Evaluating Messages	493	(1)
Being Mindful	494	(1)
Media Awareness	495	(1)
Doing Your Homework	496	(1)
Review	497	(1)
Case Study 4 The Case of Scott's Speech	498	(2)
Epilogue 4 Competence in Public Communication	500
Notes	N-1
Glossary	G-1
Suggested Readings	SR-1
Index	I-1