CommUNIcation

1. What is communication? The process: Create and send a message Receive and process the message

Activity: Telephone Game I have a statement that I am going to whisper into (name of first person’s) ear. S/he is going to whisper statement into (2nd person) ear.. The trick is that a person can only say the statement once, NO REPEATING ALLOWED! Whatever you hear, pass along the statement the best you can to the next person. The last person will say aloud what he/she heard.

2. Why is communication an important skill to learn? Basis for good relationships Necessary to keep track of family and friends Keeps you in touch with the world Every goal/task you do is affected by communication

3. What are the characteristics of ethical communication? Open & honest Helps others Does not harm them Shows respect Ethics – a set of moral principles (you are trying to do what is correct) Ethical communication ensures that you communicate all the essential information honestly and openly - you do not attempt to hide or downplay certain facts that might affect the opinion of your audience

4. Name the four elements that are part of successful communication. Communication channels Participation Timing Use of space

4. Name the four elements that are part of successful communication. Communication channels Verbal communication Spoken words Written word Nonverbal communication Communication without words Gestures Facial expressions Posture

4. Name the four elements that are part of successful communication. Participation 2 or more people engages in sharing a message Requires listening Balance in the give-and-take of ideas

4. Name the four elements that are part of successful communication. Timing Affects how the message is received Communicate important messages when someone is willing and ready to listen Ask questions to asses other person’s mood

4. Name the four elements that are part of successful communication. Use of space Communication is best when people are at ease with the space between them Make sure all participants are facing each other Keep eyesight on the same level

5. Why is timing important in communication? Relates to whether the receiver is able to concentrate on the message Affects how message is received

Public Zone Social Zone Zone Personal Intimate Zone Zone

Use of Space Intimate Zone Within 2 feet of the body Close intimate distance Very important people allowed here Most people feel uncomfortable with strangers in this zone Avoid eye contact

Use of Space Personal Zone 2-3 feet from the body Can still touch Conversation is private For people you know

Use of Space Social Zone 1-3 yards from the body Good eye contact important Business transactions

Use of Space Public Zone 3 yards and out from the body For groups and other impersonal situations Used in classrooms

6. List all suggestions for keeping communication positive. Treat everyone with respect Encourage others to share their ideas Compliment others for good ideas & suggestions Keep an open mind to others point of view Share your thoughts and feelings Consider how others feel Be tactful

Activity: Mini Golf Find a partner and get a mini golf paper from your teacher Your pencil will be your “club” and a crumbled up piece of paper will be your “golf ball” One person will need to close their eyes while their partner instructs them how to move around the course to reach the end If the ball goes off the course at any point, you will need to go back to start Make sure you are using effective communication!!

Chapter 6 Section 2 I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you hear is not what I meant.

1. What is involved in listening well? Understanding the words spoken Understanding the feelings behind the words Feeling empathy Empathy – compassion/sympathy

Compare/Contrast the 2 types of listening. Active listening Try to understand what the speaker is feeling Try to understand what the message really means Taking an active part Asks questions Does not judge More effective!

Compare/Contrast the 2 types of listening. Passive listening Listener’s feelings & thoughts are not involved Responses invite speaker to share feelings/ideas Responses do not have judgments/ideas Ex: Tell me more! Really?? Passive = inactive

Examples of body language that identify an involved listener Leaning toward the speaker Maintaining eye contact between speaker & listener Using encouraging gestures

The store owner scooped up the contents of the cash register and ran away ?: We don’t know who scooped up the contents of the cash register After the man who demanded money scooped up the contents of the cash register, he ran away ?: We don’t know if the person ran away or drove away While the cash register contained money, the story does not say how much ?: We don’t if there was money in the cash register. The contents could have been jewelry, important papers, etc.

Why are “I-messages” an effective way to communicate? Less threatening than “you-messages” Encourage positive responses Behavior + Effects + Feeling

Why are messages that start with “you” problematic? May be a direct attack on a person and their actions May blame another person for the speaker’s feelings

Why is feedback important in good communication? Indicates whether the message was understood correctly

Qualities of assertive communication Speaking up without being rude Not letting others’ opinion overpower yours Expressing your opinion and letting others express their opinion Being responsible for what you feel Giving both positive and negative points without hurting others

What is the first step in overcoming communication barriers? Recognizing habits or situations that create barriers

Communication problems Mind reading Avoiding subjects Mixed messages Interference of noise barrier Silence Different outlooks

1. Mind reading People assume they know what another is thinking Mind read because they are too impatient does not want to listen A way to dominate the conversation Often comes to the wrong conclusion

2. Avoiding subjects Death, divorce, and sexuality are common subjects to avoid Open conversation by referring to something similar

3. Mixed messages When a mixed message is sent, the nonverbal message expresses the sender’s true feelings Most of the long lasting emotions

4. Interference of Noise Barrier Communication is hard to complete when there are interferences

5. Silence Can mean disinterest, hostility, boredom or outright “war” Afraid of being laughed at Most common response in youth and children during family conflict

6. Different outlooks Different ideas about the same message Age difference

When people have different outlooks, what communication skill is important? Assertive communication You can tell your ideas and feelings and let others express their opinions

Work in groups to create skits that illustrate assertive behavior in the following circumstances: Returning a defective product to a department store Asking a parent for a raise in allowance Turning down a date. Asking to borrow an older sibling’s clothes

Nonverbal Communication Sadness – most of the long lasting emotions Chin drops down, eyelids tend to droop, crease across forehead, mouth pulled downward, raised lower eyelids, raised inner eyelids Melting off face Surprise – fastest emotion Eyebrows curve & rise up, whites of eyes seen, upper eyelids go up, lower eyelids round, wrinkles across forehead, mouth opens

Nonverbal Communication Fear Eyebrows raised & drawn together, upper eyelid rises up, whites seen above iris, lower eyelids are tensed, lips parted, pulled down tense Anger Brows wrinkled & gets lowered, lip tension, nostril flaring Disgust Forehead relaxed, eyebrow lowered, wrinkling up the nose, tense lower lid, pursed lips, raised upper lip

Nonverbal Communication Happiness Relaxed forehead, narrow eyes, crows feet, lines under eyes, raised cheeks, mouth corners up, teeth showing Contempt – similar to disgust Wrinkles in nose, lips in a sneer, lip sometimes pushed forward, tight mouth raised corners Contempt = worthless

Types of Nonverbal Communication Facial Expressions Increase the intensity of your emotions Postures and Gestures The way a person carries themselves or moves communicates information or perceptions of people Posture can create a feeling of openness or rejection

Types of Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal messages Send clearer messages Truer expression of feelings than verbal Nonverbal communication is KEY to listening skills by giving the sender the following feedback Cues as to your emotions Understanding of your communication process that flows back and forth between people

Feedback Positive: Negative (Barriers): Good eye contact Good posture Nodding of encouragement Negative (Barriers): Folded arms, legs crossed Tapping Shaking head Staring at people OR avoiding eye contact Fidgeting Distracted Rolling/flashing eyes Gestures made with frustration/irritation Slouching, hunching over

It’s Nonverbal Communication Day! Grab a packet from the seat in the front of the room. You will also need a blank sheet of paper. Read the directions and get started. There should be no verbal communication. If you choose to use verbal communication, you will lose points on this assignment.

Before you leave.. Turn in your sheet of paper with all your observations work from today. Place the Nonverbal Communication Day packet back on the seat. Grab a green notecard and write 3 questions to ask Mr. Korcinsky tomorrow. Questions should be related to communicating with different cultures. TEST ON COMMUNICATION NEXT TUESDAY!!