Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others Beebe/Beebe/Redmond Presentation Prepared by: Jill Harms, Iowa State University Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 6: Verbal Communication Skills This Multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; Any rental, lease, or lending of the program. Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 2

Objectives Describe how words create meaning. Identify how words influence our perceptions, thoughts, actions, culture, and relationships. Identify and describe words that lead to misunderstandings. Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Objectives (Continued) Use words to provide support and avoid defensiveness. Use words to offer an apology when appropriate. Use assertiveness skills appropriately and ethically. Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Words can destroy. What we call each other ultimately becomes what we think of each other, and it matters. Jeanne J. Kirkpatrick Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How Words Work Robert Kneschke/iStockphoto Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How Words Work (Continued) Words are symbols Symbols Referents Thoughts Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How Words Work (Continued) Words are denotative and connotative Words are concrete and abstract Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How Words Work (Continued) Words are arbitrary Onomatopoeia Words are culture-bound Symbolic interaction theory Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Power of Words Words create perceptions Words influence thoughts Words influence actions Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Power of Words (Continued) Words affect and reflect culture Linguistic determinism Linguistic relativity Sapir-Whorf hypothesis Worldview Words make and break relationships Profanity Euphemism Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How to Mange Misunderstandings Be aware of missed meaning Bypassing Be clear Malapropism Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How to Mange Misunderstandings (Continued) Be specific Restricted code Jargon Allness Indexing Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How to Mange Misunderstandings (Continued) Be aware of changes in meaning Static evaluation Be aware of polarizing either-or extremes Be unbiased Hate speech Avoid sexist language Avoid ethnically or racially biased language Avoid demeaning language Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of Women’s Interactions Talk to establish equality Talk to show emotional support to others Make sure everyone present feels invited to talk More tentative in the way they use language Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of Men’s Interactions Talk to establish power Talk to accomplish tasks Talk to sustain and even dominate conversation More assertive when talking Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How to Use Words of Support Describe your feelings, rather than evaluate behavior Extended “I” language Solve problems, rather than control Be genuine, rather than manipulative Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Using Words to Support Others (Continued) Empathize, rather than remain detached Be flexible, rather than rigid Present yourself as equal, rather than superior Elaborated code Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How to Apologize Apology People are more likely to apologize to someone they are close to One of the most effective ways to apologize is to honestly and sincerely admit you were wrong Research shows the person perceives an apology as more sincere if you do not apologize right away, but wait a short time Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How to Be Assertive Assertive Aggressive Describe Disclose Identify effects Be silent Paraphrase Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How to Express Your Emotions to Others Use well-chosen words or phrases to express the emotions you are feeling Practice expressing your emotions Use word pictures Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

End Show Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.