Chapter Five: The Verbal Dimension of Communication

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 2

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 3 Symbols and Meaning   Symbols are Arbitrary   Not Intrinsically Connected to what they Represent   We Can Create Private Codes   Language and Meaning Change over Time

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 4 Symbols are Ambiguous   Meaning is not Clear Cut or Fixed   May have Agreed Upon Range of Meaning   Explains why Misunderstandings Occur

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 5 Symbols are Abstract   Meaning is not Concrete or Tangible   Increased Abstraction Leads to Increased Confusion   Overly Abstract Language can Complicate Relationships Microsoft Image

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 6 Jargon and Gobbledygook CNN, Human Communication, Volume IV

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 7 Principles of Verbal Communication   Interpretation Creates Meaning   Communication is Rule Guided   Communication Rules   Regulative Rules   Constitutive Rules Microsoft Image

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 8 Principles of Verbal Communication   Punctuation Affects Meaning   Demand/Withdrawal Patterns I pursue you because you withdraw.

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 9 Principles of Verbal Communication   Punctuation Affects Meaning   Demand/Withdrawal Patterns I withdraw because you pursue me. I pursue you because you withdraw.

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 10 Principles of Verbal Communication   Punctuation Affects Meaning   Demand/Withdrawal Patterns I withdraw because you pursue me. I pursue harder because you withdraw further. I pursue you because you withdraw.

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 11 Principles of Verbal Communication   Punctuation Affects Meaning   Demand/Withdrawal Patterns I withdraw because you pursue me. I pursue harder because you withdraw further. I am withdrawing because you are pursuing me harder. I pursue you because you withdraw.

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 12 Symbolic Abilities   Symbols Define   Experiences, People, Relationships, Feelings, Thoughts   Totalizing   Symbols Evaluate   Loaded Language Microsoft Image

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 13 Symbolic Abilities   Symbols Organize Perceptions   Cognitive Schema   Prototypes   Distortions and Stereotypes Microsoft Image

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 14 Symbolic Abilities   Symbols Allow Hypothetical Thought   Reflection   History and Future   Self-Improvement Microsoft Image

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 15 Symbolic Abilities   Symbols Allow Self-reflection   The I - The Spontaneous Creative Self   The Me - The Reflective Part of the Self   Allows Self-monitoring   Allows Image Management - Facework

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 16 Enhancing Effectiveness in Verbal Communication Engage in Dual Perspective   Recognized Other’s Point of View   Don’t Abandon Own Perspective   Unethical to Stifle Own Views

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 17 Enhancing Effectiveness in Verbal Communication Own Your Feelings and Thoughts   Our Feelings Result from Our Interpretations   Effective Communicators Take Responsibility   I Language and You Language

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 18 Communication Scenarios, Wadsworth/Thomson

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 19 Enhancing Effectiveness in Verbal Communication Respect What Others Say about Their Feelings and Ideas   Disrespectful when We Speak for Others   Don’t Assume Understanding   Be Aware of Cultural Differences in Meaning

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 20 Enhancing Effectiveness in Verbal Communication Strive for Accuracy and Clarity   Be Aware of Levels of Abstraction   Qualify Language   Static Evaluation   Indexing Microsoft Image

Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth 21