Communication
Choices
What is communication?
 The process of creating and exchanging
meaning through symbolic interaction.
 We exchanging information and ideas
with others using symbols.
What kind of symbols?
 Verbal – words you use.
 Nonverbal – anything except spoken
words. It includes sounds and
movements.
 Examples of non-verbal communication:
 Gestures
 Facial expressions
 Posture
 Attire
 Tone of voice
Making choices – consider the…
 Context – the situation in which
communication occurs.
 Includes the people present
 The occasion
 The task
Context
What is our current context?
Communication Applications class
Who are the people?
Students & teacher
What is the occasion?
Education/Learning
What is the task?
To learn about communication choices
How does context affect the way we
communicate?
 Would you speak the same way in front
of a judge as you would hanging out with
your friends?
 Would you act the same way at a
wedding as you would at a rock concert?
 Would you talk to the police officer the
same way you talk to a baby?
We communicate differently in
different contexts.
 You would often not use the same
language and style speaking to a judge
as you would with your friends.
 A wedding is not a place to get rowdy
and obnoxious but it is perfectly
acceptable at a rock concert.
 Talking to a police officer like a baby
would probably raise a lot of eye brows!
Making choices – also consider…
 Appropriateness - It is what is suitable for
a specific situation. It will vary depending
on your context.
 The example of the wedding vs. rock
concert behavior indicates
appropriateness.
Three things that determine
appropriateness
 Your role. – a part played in a specific
situation. It will vary depending on your
context.
 Right now you are in the role of a student.
 When you go home, you might be in the role of a
son or daughter, brother or sister.
 If you have a job, you would be in the role of an
employee.
 You often behave and communicate different in
each of these roles.
Three things that determine
appropriateness
 A norm is a stated or implied expectation.
 It is a guideline for what is appropriate.
 They can be written or unwritten and varies
from place to place and in different contexts.
 Dating norms in the U.S. might be different
than in another country.
 Norms for one school might be different than
another.
Three things that determine
appropriateness
 A standard is an established level of
requirement or excellence.
 They are the foundation in which you make
your communication decisions.
 You have the responsibility for
 What is appropriate for yourself and your
listeners.
 What is appropriate for the occasion.
 What is appropriate for the task.
Why are communication skills
important?
 Determines your success:


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In school
On the job
In relationships
Every aspect of your life
Everything Speaks
 Every time that you interact with another
human being you are communicating.
 You cannot NOT communicate.
Competent Communicators Use
 Knowledge
 Attitudes
 Skills
Knowledge
 Having the right information
 Support for your ideas
 Without knowledge you cannot be taken
seriously
Attitudes
 Influence the way you see yourself and
others
 They impact others
 Can be managed and changed
Skills
 Task skills help you do a job
 Relationship skills help you to get along
with others
 Tact – Speak without offending
 Courtesy – Polite behaviors and words
 Respect – Showing consideration and
appreciation
Keys to Success
Speak with Good Purpose
 Think before you speak
 Be positive with our language. Avoid
gossip.
 Know that words are powerful – can build
up and destroy
 Choose not to given into the power of
spoken words if they will hurt others
Speaking Test
 Ask yourself these three questions before
you say something to someone else:
 Is it true?
 Is it kind?
 Is it necessary?
 Should answer “yes” to 2 of the 3 before
saying it.