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Introduction:
There are many ways to measure
"effective" communication, based on reception, understanding, or subsequent action. Fundamental to "effective" human communication, however, are the processes, concepts and
practices with enhance communication.
Conversely, there are also many ways to observe and measure "ineffective" communication, and many factors which restrain
excellent communication.
Lesson 2 examines the ideas, practices and processes that contribute to effective communication, and those which tend to hinder it.
Reading Assignment: Please read, in
your course text, the chapters entitled "Overcoming Communication Apprehension" and "Coping With Conflict" from DeFleur et al's "Fundamentals of Human Communication" Third Edition
Study Questions: (to accompany reading assignment): Review these questions and
keep them at hand as you complete this lesson's readings. These questions will help you internalize the reading materials and apply the concepts.
Writing Assignment:
1.) Communication profiles (50% of writing assignment value)
Please observe, over the course of a few days,
communication processes taking place around you, either in person or via media. Develop profiles of the communication issues and styles that you observe.
Your profiles should provide insight into the communication taking place and the communication issue or style involved.
Be sure your profiles include:
- The various forms of communication anxiety you observe
- Conflict in communication
- Examples of personal styles for dealing with conflict (see pages 339-342)
- Communication "dirty tricks" you observe (see page 347)
2.) (50% of writing assignment value) Please evaluate the following statement: "...the primary cause of conflict is
problems in communication..." (DeFleur, et al, p. 347). Your evaluation should include:
- A review of conflict as a communication problem
- Presentation of "both sides" (true or false) of the statement above
- Specific application of communication issues and models to conflict
- Your own view of conflict as a problem in communication
Practice: Dr. Les Parrott's Styles of Miscommunication provides an additional perspective on communication breakdowns and their causes.
Lesson Exam: Once you have completed the reading and writing assignments,
please take the lesson exam. The exam is this lesson's last component.
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