Understanding Human Communication

by Adler, Ronald B.; Rodman, George

• ISBN13: 9780155073142
• ISBN10: 0155073141
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-07-01
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Now in its ninth edition, this classic book retains the features that have made it the best-selling introductory human communication text in the field: an engaging and reader-friendly style; an inviting visual design that includes high-interest marginalia on virtually every page; up-to-date information on technology, gender, and cultural diversity; and everyday applications based on solid research and theory. Maintaining the quality of presentation and student-focused pedagogy that have characterized previous editions, Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition, incorporates updated examples and coverage of current communication theory. It continues to equip students with effective communication skills that will make a difference in their everyday lives. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Elements of Communication
Human Communication: What And Why	p. 2
Communication Defined	p. 4
Communication Is Human	p. 4
Communication Is a Process	p. 4
Communication Is Symbolic	p. 6
Types of Communication	p. 6
Intrapersonal Communication	p. 6
Dyadic/Interpersonal Communication	p. 7
Small Group Communication	p. 8
Public Communication	p. 8
Mass Communicaton	p. 8
Functions of Communication	p. 9
Physical Needs	p. 9
Identity Needs	p. 10
Social Needs	p. 11
Practical Needs	p. 11
Modeling Communication	p. 12
A Linear Model	p. 12
A Transactional Model	p. 15
Communication Competence: What Makes an Effective Communicator?	p. 18
Communication Competence Defined	p. 18
Characteristics of Competent Communicators	p. 21
Clarifying Misconceptions About Communication	p. 24
Communication Does Not Always Require Complete Understanding	p. 24
Communication Is Not Always a Good Thing	p. 26
No Single Person or Event Causes Another's Reaction	p. 26
Communication Will Not Solve All Problems	p. 26
Meanings Rest in People, Not Words	p. 26
Communication Is Not Simple	p. 26
More Communication Is Not Always Better	p. 27
Summary	p. 28
Key Terms	p. 28
Activities	p. 29
For Further Exploration	p. 30
Perception, The Self, and Communication	p. 32
Perceiving Others	p. 34
Narratives and Perception	p. 34
Common Perceptual Tendencies	p. 36
Situational Factors Influencing Perception	p. 39
Perception and Culture	p. 41
Empathy and Perception	p. 43
Perceiving the Self	p. 48
Self-Concept Defined	p. 48
Communication and Development of the Self	p. 49
Culture and the Self-Concept	p. 52
The Self-Concept, Personality, and Communication	p. 54
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy	p. 55
Identity Management: Communication as Impression Management	p. 58
Public and Private Selves	p. 58
Characteristics of Identity Management	p. 59
Why Manage Impressions?	p. 63
How Do We Manage Impressions?	p. 63
Impression Management and Honesty	p. 65
Summary	p. 69
Key Terms	p. 69
Activities	p. 70
For Further Exploration	p. 71
Language	p. 74
The Nature of Language	p. 76
Language Is Symbolic	p. 76
Meanings Are in People, Not Words	p. 77
Language Is Rule-Governed	p. 78
The Power of Language	p. 81
Language Shapes Attitudes	p. 81
Language Reflects Attitudes	p. 85
Troublesome Language	p. 88
The Language of Misunderstandings	p. 88
Disruptive Language	p. 94
Evasive Language	p. 96
Gender and Language	p. 98
Content	p. 99
Reasons for Communicating	p. 99
Conversational Style	p. 100
Nongender Variables	p. 101
Culture and Language	p. 103
Verbal Communication Styles	p. 103
Language and Worldview	p. 106
Language Use in North American Culture	p. 109
Summary	p. 110
Key Terms	p. 111
Activities	p. 111
For Further Exploration	p. 112
Listening	p. 114
Misconceptions About Listening	p. 116
Listening and Hearing Are Not the Same Thing	p. 116
Listening Is Not a Natural Process	p. 118
Listening Requires Effort	p. 119
All Listeners Do Not Receive the Same Message	p. 119
Overcoming Challenges to Effective Listening	p. 119
Faulty Listening Behaviors	p. 119
Reasons For Poor Listening	p. 121
Personal Listening Styles	p. 126
Content-Oriented	p. 126
People-Oriented	p. 126
Action-Oriented	p. 126
Time-Oriented	p. 127
Informational Listening	p. 127
Don't Argue or Judge Prematurely	p. 128
Separate the Message from the Speaker	p. 129
Be Opportunistic	p. 129
Look for Key Ideas	p. 130
Ask Questions	p. 130
Paraphrase	p. 131
Take Notes	p. 133
Critical Listening	p. 134
Listen for Information Before Evaluating	p. 135
Evaluate the Speaker's Credibility	p. 135
Examine the Speaker's Evidence and Reasoning	p. 135
Examine Emotional Appeals	p. 136
Empathic Listening	p. 137
Advising	p. 138
Judging	p. 138
Analyzing	p. 139
Questioning	p. 140
Supporting	p. 142
Prompting	p. 143
Paraphrasing	p. 143
When and How to Help?	p. 146
Summary	p. 147
Key Terms	p. 148
Activities	p. 148
For Further Exploration	p. 149
Nonverbal Communication	p. 152
Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication	p. 154
Nonverbal Communication Exists	p. 155
Nonverbal Behavior Has Communicative Value	p. 155
Nonverbal Communication Is Primarily Relational	p. 156
Nonverbal Communication Is Ambiguous	p. 157
Nonverbal Communication Is Different from Verbal Communication	p. 159
Nonverbal Skills Are Important	p. 159
Influences on Nonverbal Communication	p. 160
Culture	p. 160
Gender	p. 161
Functions of Nonverbal Communication	p. 163
Repeating	p. 163
Substituting	p. 163
Complementing	p. 163
Accenting	p. 164
Regulating	p. 164
Contradicting	p. 164
Deceiving	p. 165
Types of Nonverbal Communication	p. 167
Posture and Gesture	p. 168
Face and Eyes	p. 168
Voice	p. 170
Touch	p. 171
Physical Attractiveness	p. 173
Clothing	p. 174
Distance	p. 176
Time	p. 178
Territoriality	p. 178
Environment	p. 179
Summary	p. 180
Key Terms	p. 181
Activities	p. 181
For Further Exploration	p. 183
Interpersonal Communication
Understanding Interpersonal Relationships	p. 186
Characteristics of Interpersonal Relationships	p. 188
What Makes Communication Interpersonal?	p. 188
Interpersonal Communication and the Internet	p. 189
Content and Relational Messages	p. 190
Metacommunication	p. 192
Intimacy in Interpersonal Relationships	p. 193
Dimensions of Intimacy	p. 193
Male and Female Intimacy Styles	p. 194
Cultural Influences on Intimacy	p. 195
Relational Development and Maintenance	p. 197
A Developmental Perspective	p. 197
A Dialectical Perspective	p. 201
Characteristics of Relational Development and Maintenance	p. 205
Self-Disclosure in Interpersonal Relationships	p. 206
Models of Self-Disclosure	p. 207
Characteristics of Effective Self-Disclosure	p. 210
Guidelines for Appropriate Self-Disclosure	p. 213
Alternatives to Self-Disclosure	p. 214
Summary	p. 220
Key Terms	p. 220
Activities	p. 221
For Further Exploration	p. 222
Improving Interpersonal Relationships	p. 226
Communication Climates in Interpersonal Relationships	p. 228
Confirming and Disconfirming Messages	p. 228
How Communication Climates Develop	p. 231
Creating Positive Communication Climates	p. 232
Managing Interpersonal Conflict	p. 235
The Nature of Conflict	p. 235
Styles of Expressing Conflict	p. 236
Characteristics of an Assertive Message	p. 239
Gender and Conflict Style	p. 243
Cultural Influences on Conflict	p. 245
Methods of Conflict Resolution	p. 247
Steps in Win-Win Problem Solving	p. 250
Summary	p. 254
Key Terms	p. 254
Activities	p. 255
For Further Exploration	p. 255
Communication in Groups
The Nature of Groups	p. 260
What Is a Group?	p. 262
Interaction	p. 262
Interdependence	p. 263
Time	p. 264
Size	p. 264
Goals	p. 265
Goals of Groups and Their Members	p. 265
Individual Goals	p. 265
Group Goals	p. 266
Types of Groups	p. 267
Learning Groups	p. 267
Problem-Solving Groups	p. 267
Social Groups	p. 269
Growth Groups	p. 269
Characteristics of Groups	p. 269
Rules and Norms	p. 270
Roles	p. 272
Patterns of Interaction	p. 277
Decision-Making Methods	p. 279
Cultural Influences on Group Communication	p. 281
Individualism versus Collectivism	p. 282
Power Distance	p. 283
Uncertainty Avoidance	p. 284
Task versus Social Orientation	p. 284
Short- versus Long-Term Orientation	p. 285
Summary	p. 285
Key Terms	p. 285
Activities	p. 286
For Further Exploration	p. 286
Solving Problems in Groups	p. 288
Problem Solving in Groups: When and Why	p. 290
Advantages of Group Problem Solving	p. 290
When to Use Groups for Problem Solving	p. 292
Group Problem-Solving Formats	p. 294
Types of Problem-Solving Groups	p. 294
Computer-Mediated Groups	p. 296
Approaches and Stages in Problem Solving	p. 297
A Structured Problem-Solving Approach	p. 297
Developmental Stages in Problem-Solving Groups	p. 303
Maintaining Positive Relationships	p. 305
Basic Skills	p. 305
Building Cohesiveness	p. 305
Leadership and Power in Groups	p. 308
Power in Groups	p. 308
What Makes Leaders Effective?	p. 311
Overcoming Dangers in Group Discussion	p. 316
Information Underload and Overload	p. 316
Unequal Participation	p. 316
Pressure to Conform	p. 318
Summary	p. 319
Key Terms	p. 320
Activities	p. 320
For Further Exploration	p. 321
Public Communication
Choosing and Developing a Topic	p. 326
Choosing a Topic	p. 329
Look for a Topic Early	p. 329
Choose a Topic That Interests You	p. 329
Defining Purpose	p. 329
General Purpose	p. 330
Specific Purpose	p. 330
The Thesis Statement	p. 332
Analyzing the Speaking Situation	p. 333
The Listener: Audience Analysis	p. 333
The Occasion	p. 338
Gathering Information	p. 340
Internet Research	p. 340
Library Research	p. 343
Interviewing	p. 344
Personal Observation	p. 344
Survey Research	p. 345
Sample Speech	p. 346
Summary	p. 348
Key Terms	p. 349
Activities	p. 349
For Further Exploration	p. 350
Organization and Support	p. 352
Structuring the Speech	p. 354
Working Outline	p. 354
Formal Outline	p. 354
Speaking Notes	p. 355
Principles of Outlining	p. 355
Standard Symbols	p. 356
Standard Format	p. 356
The Rule of Division	p. 356
The Rule of Parallel Wording	p. 358
Organizing Your Points in a Logical Order	p. 358
Using Transitions	p. 362
Beginning and Ending the Speech	p. 362
The Introduction	p. 362
The Conclusion	p. 366
Supporting Material	p. 367
Functions of Supporting Material	p. 367
Types of Supporting Material	p. 369
Styles of Support: Narration and Citation	p. 372
Using Visual Aids	p. 373
Types of Visual Aids	p. 373
Media for the Presentation of Visual Aids	p. 375
Rules for Using Visual Aids	p. 378
Sample Speech	p. 379
Summary	p. 383
Key Terms	p. 383
Activities	p. 383
For Further Exploration	p. 384
Presenting Your Message	p. 386
Dealing with Stage Fright	p. 388
Facilitative and Debilitative Stage Fright	p. 388
Sources of Debilitative Stage Fright	p. 388
Overcoming Debilitative Stage Fright	p. 390
Types of Delivery	p. 391
Extemporaneous	p. 391
Impromptu	p. 392
Manuscript	p. 393
Memorized	p. 394
Practicing the Speech	p. 394
Guidelines for Delivery	p. 395
Visual Aspects of Delivery	p. 395
Auditory Aspects of Delivery	p. 397
Offering Constructive Criticism	p. 400
Summary	p. 401
Key Terms	p. 401
Activities	p. 401
For Further Exploration	p. 402
Informative Speaking	p. 404
Types of Informative Speaking	p. 407
By Content	p. 407
By Purpose	p. 407
Informative Versus Persuasive Topics	p. 408
An Informative Topic Tends to Be Noncontroversial	p. 408
The Informative Speaker Does Not Intend to Change Audience Attitudes	p. 408
Techniques of Informative Speaking	p. 409
Define a Specific Informative Purpose	p. 409
Create Information Hunger	p. 410
Make It Easy to Listen	p. 411
Emphasize Important Points	p. 411
Use a Clear Organization and Structure	p. 412
Use Supporting Material Effectively	p. 414
Use Clear, Simple Language	p. 414
Generate Audience Involvement	p. 415
Sample Speech	p. 417
Summary	p. 424
Key Terms	p. 424
Activities	p. 424
For Further Exploration	p. 425
Persuasive Speaking	p. 426
Characteristics of Persuasion	p. 428
Persuasion Is Not Coercive	p. 428
Persuasion Is Usually Incremental	p. 428
Persuasion Is Interactive	p. 430
Persuasion Can Be Ethical	p. 430
Categorizing Types of Persuasion	p. 432
By Types of Proposition	p. 432
By Desired Outcome	p. 433
By Directness of Approach	p. 434
Creating the Persuasive Message	p. 436
Set a Clear, Persuasive Purpose	p. 436
Structure the Message Carefully	p. 437
Use Solid Evidence	p. 439
Avoid Fallacies	p. 441
Adapting to the Audience	p. 442
Establish Common Ground	p. 443
Organize According to the Expected Response	p. 443
Neutralize Potential Hostility	p. 444
Building Credibility as a Speaker	p. 445
Competence	p. 445
Character	p. 446
Charisma	p. 446
Sample Speech	p. 447
Summary	p. 451
Key Terms	p. 452
Activities	p. 452
For Further Exploration	p. 453
Appendix
Interviewing	p. 457
The Nature of Interviewing	p. 458
Interviewing Defined	p. 458
How Interviewing Differs from Conversation	p. 460
Planning the Interview	p. 460
The Interviewer's Role	p. 460
The Interviewee's Role	p. 466
Conducting the Interview	p. 467
Stages of an Interview	p. 467
The Interviewer's Responsibilities	p. 468
The Interviewee's Responsibilities	p. 469
The Selection Interview	p. 470
Employment Strategies	p. 470
Tips for the Interviewee	p. 471
The Information Gathering Interview	p. 475
Prepare for the Interview	p. 476
Choose the Right Interviewee	p. 476
Informational Interviewing Tips	p. 476
Other Interview Types	p. 477
The Persuasive Interview	p. 477
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