Chapter Five: The Verbal Dimension of Communication

Chapter Five:Chapter Five:

The Verbal Dimension of CommunicationThe Verbal Dimension of Communication

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Ch5: The Verbal Dimension of Communication

Copyright © 2006 Wadsworth

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Symbols and MeaningSymbols and Meaning

Symbols are Arbitrary

Not Intrinsically Connected to what they Represent

We Can Create Private Codes

Language and Meaning Change over Time

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Symbols are AmbiguousSymbols are Ambiguous

Meaning is not Clear Cut or Fixed

May have Agreed Upon Range of Meaning

Explains why Misunderstandings Occur

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Symbols are AbstractSymbols are Abstract

Meaning is not Concrete or Tangible

Increased Abstraction Leads to

Increased Confusion

Overly Abstract Language can

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Jargon and GobbledygookJargon and Gobbledygook

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Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal CommunicationCommunication

Interpretation Creates Meaning

Communication is Rule Guided

Communication Rules

Regulative Rules

Constitutive Rules

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Punctuation Affects Meaning

Demand/Withdrawal Patterns

I pursue you I pursue you because you because you

withdraw.withdraw.

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I withdraw I withdraw because you because you pursue me.pursue me.


withdraw.withdraw.

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I pursue I pursue harder harder because you because you withdraw withdraw further.further.


withdraw.withdraw.

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I pursue I pursue harder harder because you because you withdraw withdraw further.further.

I am withdrawing I am withdrawing because you are because you are

pursuing me pursuing me harder.harder.


withdraw.withdraw.

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Symbolic AbilitiesSymbolic Abilities

Symbols Define

Experiences, People, Relationships,

Feelings, Thoughts

Totalizing

Symbols Evaluate

Loaded Language

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Symbols Organize Perceptions

Cognitive Schema

Prototypes

Distortions and Stereotypes

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Symbols Allow Hypothetical Thought

Reflection

History and Future

Self-Improvement

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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

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Enhancing Effectiveness in Enhancing Effectiveness in Verbal CommunicationVerbal Communication

Engage in Dual Perspective

Recognized Other’s Point of View

Don’t Abandon Own Perspective

Unethical to Stifle Own Views

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Own Your Feelings and Thoughts

Our Feelings Result from Our Interpretations

Effective Communicators Take Responsibility

I Language and You Language

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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

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Strive for Accuracy and Clarity

Be Aware of Levels of Abstraction

Qualify Language

Static Evaluation

Indexing

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Chapter Five: The Verbal Dimension of Communication