1. Defensive Communication
Competitive or hostile climates are often maintained through defensive communication (when we are defensive or make the other defensive)
A person is defensive when she/he perceives or anticipates a threat to face or the relational definition by an other
Defensiveness stimulates defensiveness in the other which can create a spiral of escalating protectionism
Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, copyright protect, March 2006

2. Defensive vs. Supportive
An alternative to Defensive communication is Supportive communication. Gibb outlined 6 ways one can communicate either defensively or supportively:
Defensive Supportive
Evaluation vs. Description
Control vs. Problem Orientation
Strategy vs. Spontaneity
Neutrality vs. Empathy
Superiority vs. Equality
Certainty vs. Provisionalism
Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, copyright protect, March 2006

3. Defensive vs. Supportive Evaluation vs. Description
Evaluative language judges, quantifies, or accuses
“YOU” language
Descriptive language focuses on the speaker’s perceptions
“I” language
Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, copyright protect, March 2006

4. Defensive vs. Supportive Control vs. Problem Orientation
Control messages impose one person’s views on an other without concern or interest in what the other thinks or feels
Problem orientation signals respect and the desire to make a decision or find an agreeable solution
Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, copyright protect, March 2006

5. Defensive vs. Supportive Strategy vs. Spontaneity
Strategic communication refers to a speaker with an agenda or ulterior motive
Spontaneity, in the sense of honest and forthright communication, refers to a speaker who shares thoughts and feelings openly
Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, copyright protect, March 2006

6. Defensive vs. Supportive Neutrality vs. Empathy
Neutral communication does NOT offer a diplomatic point of view on an issue –it conveys indifference to the other
Empathy involves understanding and appreciating the other’s feelings
Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, copyright protect, March 2006

7. Defensive vs. Supportive Superiority vs. Equality
Superior communication sends the message that all others are inferior or inadequate in some way, therefore, the speaker has no interest in what they might say
Equality in communication sends the message that the other is valued and worthy as a human being
Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, copyright protect, March 2006

8. Defensive vs. Supportive Certainty vs. Provisionalism
Certainty: People who believe they are right and communicate this clearly incite defensiveness in others because they come across as narrow-minded and unwilling to listen to another point of view
Provisional communication involves acknowledging other points of view
“I may not agree, but you’re entitled to your own opinion.”
Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, copyright protect, March 2006