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Communication Climate
April 19, 2011
Jessica Ctvrtlik, Kaity Dunlap, David Hunter, Katie Wright
Communication Climate
The relative acceptance or rejection a group member feels based upon the social and psychological tone of the relationships
established among group members
Two types of climates
Supportive Communication Climate
&Defensive
Communication Climate
Supportive Communication Climate
When group members feel their contributions are welcomed and valuedo Positiveo Creates opennesso Keeps group highly involvedo Encourages group members to share their feedback and
contribute to group task
Six Dimensions to Establish Supportive Communication Climate
1. Description vs Evaluation2. Problem Orientation vs control
3. Spontaneity vs Strategy4. Empathy vs Neutrality5. Equality vs Superior
6. Provisionalism vs Certainty
Description vs Evaluation
When a group member engages in descriptive communication, they focus on the speakers thoughts and feelings instead of judging the other person.
A group member who engages in evaluation passes judgment and blames other group members
o Evaluation: “You don’t know what you’re talking about!”o Description: “I don’t understand how you came up with
that idea.”
Problem Orientation vs Control
Problem orientation communicators focus on finding a mutually acceptable solution
Controlling communication occurs when a sender seems to be imposing a solution on the receiver with little regard for the receiver’s needs or interests
o Controlling: “You need to stay off the phone for the next two hours.”
o Problem orientation: “I’m expecting some important calls. Can we work out a way to keep the line open?”
Spontaneity vs Strategy
Spontaneity is the behavior of being honest with others rather than manipulating them.
Strategy is the defense behavior in which speakers hide their ulterior motives
o Strategy: “What are you doing Friday after work?”o Spontaneity: “I have a piano I need to move Friday after
work. Can you please give me a hand?”
Empathy vs Neutrality Empathy means accepting another’s group
member’s feelings and putting yourself in another’s place
Neutrality shows a lack of concern and implies that the welfare of the other person isn’t very important to youo Neutral: “Sometimes things just don’t work out. That’s
the way it goes.”o Empathetic: “I know you put a lot of time and effort into
this project.”
Equality vs Superiority Equality is when a group member treats all the
other group members the same and believes the contributions of all group members are equally needed
Superiority is when a group member treats other group members indifferently o Superior: “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”o Equal: “I see it a different way.”
Provisionalism vs Certainty
Provisionalism makes tentative judges about the task and group members
Certainty is when group members see only one way to approach a tasko Certain: “That will never work!”o Provisional: “I think you’ll run into problems with that
approach.”
Supportive Climate Example
YouTube - Positive Communication Climate
Discussion Has anyone had an experience when working
within a group that reflects this supportive communication climate? If so, did it help the group to be successful? Why?
Negative Communication
Climates
Video Example YouTube - Negative Communication Climate
Negative Communication
Disconfirming Messageso Shows a lack of respect or regard for another individualo Seven different types
Disagreeing Messageso State “you’re wrong” in one way or anothero Three different types
Type 1: Impervious Impervious- does not acknowledge the other
persons message
“The worst sin towards out fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that’s the essence of humanity.” --George Bernard Shaw
Type 2: Interrupting Interrupting- beginning to speak before the other
person has finished what they wish to say
Type 3: Irrelevant Responses
Irrelevant- a comment unrelated to what the other person has just said
Example: A: What a day! I thought it would never end! First the car broke down, and I had to call a tow truck, and then because I was late to work I was written up.B: Listen, we really need to talk about a present for Annie’s birthday. The party is Saturday, and I only have tomorrow to shop for it.A: I’m really beat. Could we talk about it a little later? I’ve never seen a day like this one.B: I just can’t figure out what to get Annie. She’s got everything…
Type 4: Tangential Responses
Tangential- Instead of ignoring the speaker’s remarks completely, the other party uses them as a starting point for a different topic
Example:A: We need to figure out where we want to go for spring break. If we don’t decide soon where we are going, we won’t be able to get reservations anywhere.B: Yeah, and if I don’t pass this physics test I won’t be in the mood to go anywhere. Could you give me some help with this homework?!
Type 5: Impersonal Response
Impersonal- loaded with clichés and other statements that never truly respond to the speaker.
Example: Employee: I’ve been having some personal problems lately, and I’d like to take off work early a couple of afternoons to clear them up.Boss: Ah, yes we all have personal problems. Seems to be a sign of the times.
Type 6: Ambiguous Responses
Ambiguous- contain messages with more than one meaning, leaving the other party unsure of the responder’s position.
Example:A: I’d like to get together with you soon to work on our project, how about Tuesday?B: Uh, maybe.A: Well how about it? Can we talk Tuesday?B: Maybe, well talk about it later.
Type 7: Incongruous Response
Incongruous- contains two messages that seem to deny or contradict each other.o Often at least one of these messages is nonverbal.
Example:A: Darling, I love you.B: I love you, too.
Disagreeing Messages Aggressiveness
o Most destructive form of disagreement Complaining
o Behavioral v. Personal Argumentativeness
o Not always a negative association
Specific Climate Case: School Classroom
Componentso Appearance and physical Environmento Faculty relationso Student Interactionso Leadership and Decision Makingo Attitudeo Clothing
What Climate Supports Students
Safety Cleanliness Supplies Interaction Encouraged Staff open to students Diversity Community Feeling
What Climate Impedes Students
Large Classroom Size Talking Head Teachers not open with students Low Expectations
Specific Example: Private vs. UC vs. Cal Poly
Class of Private Collegeo Small class sizeo Teacher knows every student by nameo Less Diversityo Well Supplied
University of California Class of UC
o Huge Lecture of 300 studentso Teacher doesn’t know students o Research orientedo Non-communal feelingo Separate discussion groups with T.A.
Cal Poly Poly Class
o Typical around 2 to 50 studentso Get to know professoro Learn by doingo Communal feeling
An Analysis of Communication Climate
Basic ways to improve and maintain a good communication climate
Characteristics of Supportive Climate
Description Problem spontaneity Empathy Equality Provisionalism
Characteristics of a Defensive Climate
Evaluation Control Strategy Neutrality Superiority Certainty
Main Difference? Types of messages
o Confirming messages – recognize the value and importance of a relational partner
o Disconfirming messages – makes a relational partner feel devalued
Additional Tips Give more feedback Give less discounting message Have good interpersonal relationships
The End!