Study Guide for GCOM 123 Final Exam

Fundamentals of Communication
Chapter 1: Competent Communication
What are the most common myths about communication? 1. Communication is the cure all 2. Communicating is just common sense 3. Communication quantity equals quality Explain the differences between the three models of communication: linear, interactive, and transactional. linear: one way, sender sends a message through a channel to a receiver in an atmosphere of noise interactive: back and forth; different from linear because it has feedback, also the different fields of experience of people effects this model transactional: says that everyone is a sender and a receiver Define the basic communication elements contained in the communication models (channel, sender, receiver, message, encode, decode, context, fields of experience, noise, and feedback) sender: persons sending the message message: what the senders wants the receiver to get receiver: person getting the message channel: medium a message is sent through encode: decode: noise: interference with effective transmission and reception of a message physical: external, environmental distractions ex. startling sounds physiological: biological influences ex. sweaty palms, pounding heart psychological: preconceptions, biases, and assumptions semantic noise: reflected in word choice that is confusing or distracting feedback: the receiver's verbal and nonverbal response to the message (not found in the linear model) fields of experience: include our cultural background, ethnicity, geographic location, extent of travel, and general personal experiences accumulated over a lifetime Explain the two aspects of every message: Content and relationship. Content: what is actually being said or done Relationship: How the message defines or redefines the association between individuals What differentiates a constructive communication climate from a destructive communication climate? Constructive Openness Supportiveness Destructive Closedness Defensiveness

Chapter 2: Perception of Self and Others

Define the perceptual process. Process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting data from our senses What is a perceptual schema (prototype, stereotype, and script)? Mental framework that creates meaningful patterns from stimuli

Prototype: is the most representative example of something Stereotype: a generalization about a group or category of people Script: a predictable sequence of events that indicates what we are expected to do in a given situation How is self-concept developed (reflected appraisal, significant others, and society)? Influenced by relationship and communication with others, how people look at you and perceive you Reflected appraisal: messages you receive from others that assess your self concept How the society you live in evaluates how a person should be has an effect on self concept and self esteem What are some of the influences on perception (gender, culture, past experiences, mood, and context)? What is self-disclosure? Process of purposefully revealing to others personal information about yourself that is significant and others would not know unless you told them Define the concepts of depth and breadth in terms of self-disclosure. Breadth: range of topics discussed Depth: how personal you are when they are discussed What are the guidelines for offering and receiving self-disclosure? Trust Reciprocity: disclosure is two way street Cultural Appropriateness Situational Appropriateness Incremental Disclosure Why is reciprocal sharing important? One way disclosure creates vulnerability Define the term self-serving bias. The tendency to attribute our successful behavior to ourselves but to assign external circumstances to our unsuccessful behavior What is the self-fulfilling prophecy? What does it influence? Acting on an erroneous expectation that produces the expected behavior and confirms the original impression Define the process of attribution? Assigning causes to behavior; How does the fundamental attribution error impact competent communication? What is empathy? Perspective taking Emotional understanding Concern for others

Group Communication
Chapter 10: The Anatomy of Small Groups
Define what a small group is. Groups are considered small if each individual in the group can recognize and interact with every other group member What are the advantages and disadvantages of small groups? Advantages: Disadvantages

What is cohesion? How is it developed? Cohesiveness: goal of the social dimension Encouraging compatible membership Developing shared goals that members find challenging and exciting to achieve Actually accomplishing important tasks that meet the standards of the goals Developing positive group history of cooperation Promoting acceptance of all group members Goal of the social dimension Social dimension: relationships between group members and the impact these relationships have on the group What influence does cohesion have on task and social dimensions of small groups? Cohesion is the goal of social dimension and it connects to task dimension because cohesion and productivity are interconnected What are group norms? Norms: rules that indicate what group members have to do, should do, and may not do Explicit: specifically and overtly identify acceptable and unacceptable behavior Implicit: observable patterns of behavior exhibited by group members that identify acceptable and unacceptable behavior PURPOSE: Helps achieve group goals What is a small group role? Patterns of expected behavior associated with parts that you play in groups What is the difference between formal and informal roles? Formal roles are assigned to you Informal roles emerge naturally and identify functions not positions Explain the difference between the three types of informal group roles (maintenance, task, and disruptive) Maintenance: address the social dimension of small groups; main goal is to gain and maintain cohesiveness Task: advance group goal attainment Disruptive: Me- oriented; serve the individual needs and goals; focuses attention on the individual What is leadership? A leader- follower influence process with the goal of producing change that is largely accomplished through competent communication What are the different approaches to leadership (traits, styles, and situational)? Traits: relatively enduring characteristics of a person that highlight differences between people and that are displayed in most situations Certain negative traits can predict who will not become a leader Certain traits may be necessary but not efficient to become an effective leader Situational: some people may be more fit as a leader for different situations and in different context Define the major leadership styles (directive or autocratic; participative or democratic; laissez-faire, and situational). Directive: autocratic; puts heavy emphasis on the task dimension with slight attention to the social dimension of groups Participant: democratic; places emphasis on both social dimension and task dimension in groups Laissez-faire: situational; no leadership is exercised at all

Chapter 11: Effective Groups

Explain the distinctions between a team and a group. A team is always a group but a group is not always a team All players of a team are passionately committed to the achievement of their designated goal

What is brainstorming? What is critical to its success? Creative problem solving method characterized by encouragement of even zany ideas, freedom from initial evaluation of potential solutions, and energetic participation from all members - All members should come prepared with initial ideas - Dont criticize any idea during the brainstorming process - Encourage freewheeling idea generation - Dont clarify or discuss ideas during idea generation phase - Record all ideas for future reference - Encourage participation from all members - Wait to evaluate the idea generated until brainstorming session is completed Explain the steps in the Standard Agenda. Standard Agenda provides one such highly effective structured method of decision making and problem solving 1. Identify goal(s) 2. Analyze the problem 3. Establish criteria 4. Generate solutions 5. Evaluate solutions and make final decision Explain the differences between the major forms of decision-making (majority rule, minority rule, and consensus). What are the advantages and disadvantages of the major forms of decision-making (majority rule, minority rule, and consensus)? Majority rule; ADVANTAGES: efficiency, provides rapid closure on relatively unimportant issues, can break a deadlock, once a majority emerges the decision is made DISADVANTAGES: sometimes support preposterous, unethical positions, may encourage dominance power dynamic within a group, and may make decisions too quickly Minority Rule; DISADVANTAGES: expert can ignore group input; members may engage in power plays, members will likely have weak commitment to the final decision Consensus: state of mutual agreement among members of a group where all legitimate concerns of individuals are addressed to the satisfaction of the group ADVANTAGES: requires full discussion, team members likely to be committed to final decision, produces group satisfaction DISADVANTAGES: difficult to achieve, the larger the group the more difficult it is to achieve What is groupthink? How might groupthink be avoided? Group think: a process of stressing cohesiveness and agreement instead of skepticism and optimum decision making A group climate that encourages robust discussion of opposing views

Public Speaking
Chapter 12: Preparing Speeches
What are the components of audience analysis (demographics, values, beliefs, & attitudes)? Attitude: a learned predisposition to respond favorably or unfavorably toward some attitude object Belief: what a person thinks is true or probable Value: the most deeply felt, generally shared view of what is deemed good Demographics: characteristics such as age, gender, culture and ethnicity, and group affiliations What elements of speech making are influenced by audience analysis (preparation and presentation)?

Define the general purpose, specific purpose, and central idea in public speaking. General purpose: identifies the overall goal of your speech; it tells the audience why you are giving the speech Central idea: identifies the main concept, point, issue, or conclusion you want the audience to understand, believe, or feel Specific purpose statement: a concise, precise infinitive phrase composed of simple, clear language that encompasses both the general purpose and the central idea and indicated what the speaker hopes to accomplish with the speech What should be considered when choosing a topic (speaker, subject, and person addressed)? Does the topic work for you (the speaker)? Is it suitable for the Listeners? Does it fit the event? How does one avoid plagiarism? What are the types of supporting materials used in speeches? Examples: hypothetical, real, extended Statistics Testimony of Authorities What are the criteria for evaluating supporting material? Credibility: evidence used to support claims Reliability: consistency Validity: accuracy What are the basic elements of a competent outline (symbols, coherence, completeness, balance, and division)? I MAIN POINT A PRIMARY SUBPOINT 1 SECONDARY SUBPOINT A TERTIARY SUBPOINT Coherence: logical consistency and clarity Completeness: Using complete sentences in an outline proves to be more successful Balance: every main point should be relatively balanced throughout your speech Division: Divide main points into sub points Identify the organizational pattern used in speeches (topical, spatial, causal, chronological, problem-solution, and Monroes Motivated Sequence)? Topical: By the subjects Chronological: according to time Spatial: According to space Casual: Who or what is responsible Problem- Solution: Meeting needs Problem- Cause- Solution: Knowing How and Why and Meeting Needs Monroes Motivated Sequence 1. attention 2. need 3. satisfaction 4. visualization 5. action

Chapter 13: Presenting Speeches

What is speech anxiety? Dysfunctional: when intensity of fight or flight response prevents a person from giving a speech effectively Functional: when the fight or flight response is managed and stimulates optimum presentation

What are some guidelines for managing speech anxiety? Prepare and Practice Rational thinking Noncompetitive communicating orientation Visualize success Rational Reappraisal What are the critical elements of a speech introduction? Attention getter Clear purpose statement Establish Topic Significance (Why should the audience care?) Preview the Main Points What are the critical elements of a speech conclusion? Summarize main points Refer to Introduction Memorable Finish What is the difference between oral and written styles of speech making? Written style is more formal, has more complex sentences Oral style is highly interactive What impact do various delivery considerations have on an audience (eye contact, vocal variety, verbal fluency, poise, dynamism)? Eye contact: helps you gain and maintain audience attention Explain the differences between the major delivery styles (manuscript, memorized, extemporaneous, and impromptu). Manuscript: read the speech straight off a piece of paper word for word; usually lacks eye contact Memorized: Extemporaneous: Give speech based off of a basic outline Impromptu: A speech given with no preparing

Chapter 14: Informative Speaking

What distinguishes informative speaking from persuasive speaking? Informative speaking is meant to teach and present the facts about a topic Persuasive speaking has a goal of causing some sort of action What is a transition? Connects what was said to what will be said What is necessary for an appropriate or effective oral citation? What are the types of visual aids that can be used during a speech? Graphs, Objects, Models, Maps, Tables, Photographs, Drawings What are guidelines for the competent usage of visual aids? Hide the aid when not using it Keep aids simple Make sure they are visible by everyone Make aids neat and attractive Dont block audience view Keep aids close to you Practice with aids Dont circulate Aids Anticipate problems

Chapter 15: Persuasive Speaking

Define persuasion. Persuasion: a communication process of converting, modifying, or maintaining the attitudes or behaviors of others

What are the primary dimensions of credibility (competence trustworthiness, dynamism, and composure)? Credibility: judgments made by a perceiver concerning the believability of a communicator Competence: audiences perception of the speakers knowledge and experience on a topic Trustworthiness: how truthful or honest we perceive the speaker to be Dynamism: the enthusiasm and energy exhibited by the speaker Composure: a speakers emotional stability, confidence, and degree of control over him or her self when under stress Define the three Aristotelian modes of proof (ethos, logos, and pathos). Ethos: good sense, good moral character, and good will Logos: building arguments based on logic and evidence Pathos: emotional appeals Identify propositions of fact, value and policy. Proposition: primary, overriding claim of a persuasive speech Fact: alleges the truth Policy: calls for significant change of how problems are currently handled Value: a judgment that assesses the worth or merit of an idea

Chapter 3: Culture and Gender Define what culture is. Culture: a learned set of enduring values, beliefs, and practices that are shared by an identifiable large group of people with a common history Explain how culture influences communication. Define ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, and multiculturalism. Ethnocentrism: the notion that ones own culture is superior to any other, it is the idea that other cultures should be measured by the degree to which they live up to our cultural standards Cultural relativism: views cultures as merely different, not deficient Multiculturalism: social- intellectual movement that promotes the value of diversity as a core principle and insists that all cultural groups be treated with respect and as equals Explain the major differences between individualistic and collectivistic cultures. Individualist culture Collectivist culture -me orientation -we orientation -individuals see themselves as loosely -individuals see themselves as being linked to each other and largely closely linked to one or more groups independent of group identification -downplay personal goals in favor of -motivated by their own preferences, needs, advancing goals of a valued group and goals -personal achievement and initiative are stressed -emphasis placed on self: self sufficiency, self actualization, and personal growth Explain the major differences between low-power distance and high powerdistance cultures. Power distance dimension: variations in the acceptability of unequal distribution of power in relationships, institutions, and organizations

Low: horizontal culture: values relatively equal power sharing and discourage attention to status differences and ranking in society High: vertical culture: relatively strong emphasis on maintaining power differences Explain the major differences between feminine and masculine cultures. Masculine- feminine dimension: the intersection of gender and culture apparent from gender role stereotypes serve as a basis for a third deep structural value Masculine culture: exhibits stereotypic masculine traits such as male dominance, ambitiousness, assertiveness, competitiveness, and drive for achievement; gender roles are rigid and distinct in masculine cultures Feminine culture: exhibits stereotypic feminine traits such as affection, nurturance, sensitivity, compassion, and emotional expressiveness; gender roles are less rigid and more overlapping How does culture influence nonverbal communication? Chapter 4: Language Explain the nature of phonemes, morphemes, syntax, and semantics and their relationship to languages. Phonemes: individual units of sound that compose a specific spoken language Morphemes: smallest unit of meaning in language Syntax: rules that govern combining words into phrases and phrases into sentences Semantics: set of rules that governs the meaning of words and sentences Define the four essential elements of all languages (structure, productivity, displacement, and self-reflexiveness). Structure: phonemes, morphemes, syntax, semantics Symbols: arbitrary representations of objects, events, ideas, or relationships Referents: objects, events, ideas, or relationships referred to by words Productivity: capacity of language to transform a small number of phonemes into whatever words, phrases, and sentences that you require communicating your abundance of thoughts and feelings; allows you to express an infinite number of thoughts and feelings in a variety of ways Displacement: your ability to use language to talk about objects, events, ideas, and relations that dont exist in the physical here and now ex. Unicorns Self-reflexiveness: ability to use language to talk about language Explain the abstracting process (sense experience, description, inference, and judgment). Abstracting: process where we formulate increasingly vague conceptions of our world by leaving out details associated with objects, events, and ideas Sense Experience: Description: verbal reports that sketch what we perceive from our senses Inference: conclusions about the unknown based on the known Judgments: subjective evaluations of objects, events, or ideas Explain the two versions of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Sapir-Whorf hypothesis: 1. Claims we are prisoners of our native language, unable to think certain thoughts or perceive in certain ways because of the grammatical structure and lexicon of our language (linguistic determinism)

2. Claims that grammar and lexicon of our native language powerfully influences but does not imprison our thinking and perception (linguistic relativity) Explain how connotative meaning differs from denotative meaning. Connotation: personal meaning; the volatile, individual, subjective meaning of a word Three dimensions: evaluation, potency, and activity Denotation: shared meaning; objective meaning of words commonly agreed to by members of a speech community and usually found in the dictionary What is the difference between a fact and an inference? What are jargon and euphemisms? Jargon: specialized language held by every profession, trade, or group Euphemism: form of linguistic Novocain where word choices numb us to or camouflage unpleasant or offensive realities Chapter 5: Nonverbal Communication What are the differences between verbal and nonverbal channels of communication? Verbal communication is single channeled Nonverbal communication is multi channeled Multi channel adds impact of believability of a message What are the functions of nonverbal communication (repetition, substitution, regulation, contradiction, accentuation)? Repetition: Consistency of verbal and nonverbal communication (ex. Saying yes and nodding head) Increases clarity and credibility of your message Substitution: Nonverbal cues can substitute for verbal messages (ex. Yawn= Im tired) Regulation: conversation is regulated by nonverbal cues (ex. Long pause at the end of sentences=shift in speaker) Contradiction: verbal messages can be contradicted by non verbal messages Mixed message: inconsistencies between verbal and non verbal messages Accentuation: nonverbal communication can add emphasis where you want it Explain the major types of nonverbal communication (kinesics, paralanguage, territoriality, proxemics, and haptics). Kinesics: study of both facial communications and gestures Haptics: study of touch Paralanguage: vocal cues Proxemics: influence of distance and space Territoriality: predisposition to defend a fixed geographic area, or territory, as ones exclusive domain Chapter 6: Listening to Others Define listening by its basic elements (comprehending, retaining, and responding). Listening: the process of receiving, constructing meaning from, and respond to spoken and/ or nonverbal messages Comprehension: shared meaning between or among parties in a transaction Retaining

Responding What are the types of listening (informational, critical and empathic)? Informational: attempts to comprehend the message as a speaker Critical: process of evaluating the merits of claims as they are heard Empathetic: requires you to take on the perspective of the other person What are the most common problems that thwart competent informational listening (conversational narcissism, competitive interrupting, glazing over, pseudo-listening, and ambushing)? Conversational narcissism: tendency of listeners to turn topics of ordinary conversations to themselves without showing interest in others topics Competitive interrupting: when we dominate the conversation by seizing the floor from others who are speaking Glazing over: occurs when listeners attention wanders and daydreaming occurs Pseudo-listening: pretend listening Ambushing: occurs when we listen for weaknesses and ignore strengths of a speakers message What are the most common listener response styles used in empathic listening? Empathetic response styles: Probing response: seeks information from others by asking questions Supporting response: includes expressions of care, concern, affection, and interest, especially during times of stress or upset Understanding response: requires a listener to check his or her perceptions for comprehension of the speakers message or to paraphrase the message to check accuracy Non empathetic response styles: Evaluating response: makes a judgment about a persons conduct Advising response: tells people how they should act Interpreting: we express what we think is the underlying meaning of a situation presented to us Content- Only: comprehends literal meaning of messages from other but does not recognize the feelings that go with it Chapter 7: Power Define power. Power: the ability to influence the attainment of goals sought by you and others Explain the difference between assertiveness and aggressiveness. Aggression: any physical or verbal communication that is intended to inflict harm Assertiveness: the ability to communicate the full range of your thoughts and emotions with confidence and skill What are the major power resources (expertise, legitimate authority, reward, punishment, personal qualities)? How is power indicated in communication (verbally and nonverbally)? Chapter 9: Interpersonal Conflict Management Define conflict. Conflict: the expressed struggle of interconnected parties who perceive incompatible goals and interference from one or more parties in attaining those goals

Differentiate between destructive and constructive conflict. Destructive conflict: characterized by: -Escalation -Retaliation -Domination -Competition -Defensiveness -Inflexibility -Me oriented -Cross Complaining Constructive conflict: characterized by: -Cooperation -Supportive -Flexible -De-escalation -Negotiation -Dialogue -We oriented Focus on achieving a solution that is mutually satisfactory to all parties in the conflict Define the five most common conflict negotiation strategies (accommodating, avoiding, controlling, compromising, and collaborating). Accommodating: yielding to the needs and desires of others Avoiding: ignoring conflict Compromising: giving up something to get something Collaboration: working together to maximize attainment of goals for all parties in a conflict Controlling: