COM110
Elements of Human
Communication
Jim Friscia
jfriscia@concorde.edu
503-236-1971 / 720-4629
Week 4
Verbal Communication
Nonverbal
Communication
Assignment Review
Goals
Learn the nature and principles of verbal messages
Learn to use verbal messages more effectively
Learn to avoid sexist, heterosexist, racist and
ageist language
Use nonverbal messages to communicate in a
variety of ways
Use appropriate and effective types of nonverbal
communication
Communicate appropriately based on gender and
culture
Review: Active Listening
Paraphrase
Ask questions
Avoid interrupting
Give supportive cues
Show empathy
Maintain eye contact
Give positive feedback
Listening Differences: Culture
Language and accents may be different
The meaning of nonverbal displays vary among
cultures
Tone and content of feedback varies according
to person/situations
Different norms of verbals and nonverbals
Different feedback styles exist
Listening and Gender:
A difference of socialization
Men
Women
Lecture
Talk, not lecture
Seek facts
Build relationships
Desire respect
Want to be liked
Interrupt more often
More patient
Change topics
More sensitive to
more often
emotions
Verbal Communication Skills
Words, words, and
more words … how
do they work?
Explain why it is that two people,
having chosen the same word,
will likely have two different
connotative meanings for the
same word.
Language and Meaning
Denotative
Connotative
Concrete
Abstract
Language and Meaning
Arbitrary
Culture-bound
Context-bound
Vary in directness
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Messages are Influenced by
Culture and Gender
Culture
Messages are
culturally influenced
The principles of:
cooperation
peaceful relations
self-denigration
directness
Gender
Verbal messages
reflect considerable
gender influences
Example: Politeness
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Messages are Influenced by
Culture and Gender
Culture
Messages are
culturally influenced
The principles of:
cooperation
peaceful relations
self-denigration
directness
Gender
Verbal messages
reflect considerable
gender influences
Example: Politeness
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In
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re
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Disconfirmation and
Confirmation
Disconfirmation
Ignoring the other
person’s presence
and communication
Confirmation
Acknowledging the
other person’s
presence and
attending to his/her
communication
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Disconfirmation and
Confirmation cont…
Confirmation
Acknowledge presence
and contribution of other
Make nonverbal contact
Demonstrate
understanding of words
and feelings
Ask questions
Encourage expression of
thoughts and feelings
Disconfirmation
Ignore presence and
indifferent to messages
Make no nonverbal contact
Jump to interpret and
evaluate messages
Talk about self
Interrupts; make it hard for
other’s expression
How is offensive language
disconfirmation?
How is offensive language
disconfirmation?
Racism
How is offensive language
disconfirmation?
Heterosexism
How is offensive language
disconfirmation?
Sexism
How is offensive language
disconfirmation?
Sexual Harassment
How is offensive language
disconfirmation?
Ageism
How is offensive language
disconfirmation?
Ageism
How is offensive language
disconfirmation?
Ableism
What are preferred cultural
identifiers?
How do they change based on
context, situation, interactants, etc.?
Principles for Using Verbal
Messages Effectively
Avoid intensional orientation
Avoid allness
Avoid indiscrimination
Avoid polarization
Avoid static evaluation
Distinguish between facts and inferences
Word Barriers
Allness
Lack of precision
Bypassing
Word Barriers
Allness
Lack of precision
Bypassing
Word Barriers
Bypassing
Lack of precision
Allness
Static evaluation
Polarization
Indiscrimination
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What is the difference
between statements of fact
and inference? Why is it
important to know?