Team Conflict

University of Phoenix Material

Introduction to Communication Worksheet

Paragraph Questions

Answer the following questions in your own words. Each response must be written as an academic paragraph of at least 150 words. Be clear and concise, and provide explanations for your answers. Format your sources consistent with APA guidelines.

1. According to Introducing Communication Theory (2010), what is the definition of communication? What does communication mean to you personally? Provide an example.

Communication is the process of acting on information. Communication means to me to listen to information that is given and process the information and then provide a response. An example would be a professor asking a question and the student processing the question and then providing a response.

2. Describe the differences between linear, interactional, and transactional communication.

Linear communication is when the sender encoding a message and channeling it to the received in the presence of noise. Linear displays no feedback

Interactional communication is human communication occurs as the receiver of the message responds to the source through feedback. Interactional communication has feedback but not simultaneous

Transactional communication human communication is simultaneously interactive meaning created based on mutual concurrent sharing ideas and feeling. Transactional is the most effective communication because both communicators share the same meaning of the message.

3. Why is communication critical to developing self-concept? Provide an example of how communication has helped you develop your self-concept.

Communication is critical to developing self-concept because you must be aware of the perception you have of yourself first. Communication has helped me develop self concept because I am aware of how I would like people to talk to me in a certain manner or tone. And it makes me aware of how to speak to people in the same respect.

Myth or Reality?

Identify whether each of the following sentences is a myth or a reality. Explain your answers.

1. You communicate only when you consciously and deliberately choose to communicate.
Myth or Reality

Reality- I think this is a reality because in life we choose to speak or communicate and other times we choose not to

2. Words do not mean the same things to the listener as they do to the speaker.
Myth or Reality

Reality- How I relay something to someone may not be taken the way I want them to take it. For example I will give you a million dollars the receiver may think to themselves is there stipulations on the money.

3. You communicate primarily with words.
Myth or Reality

Myth- We communicate through different avenues, such as text messages email

4. Nonverbal communication is not perceived solely through sight.
Myth or Reality

Reality- If I send a text it might not be perceived how I want it to be received

5. Communication is not a one-way activity.
Myth or Reality

Reality- Communication is a two way street, communication is between two or more parties

6. The message you send is identical to the message received by the listener.
Myth or Reality

Myth- the message you send can be perceived in different ways how you mean for something to come off may not come off that way to the other person.

7. You can never give someone too much information.
Myth or Reality

Myth- To me a lot of information is needed sometimes in order to get the point across to that person. Sometimes it is needed.

Matching

Match the seven contexts of communication with the appropriate definition by placing the letter of the definition in the blank.

1. __g_ Interpersonal
a. Communication within and among large, extended environments

1. __e_ Intrapersonal
a. Communication between and among members of different cultural backgrounds

1. _c__ Group

a. Communication with a group of people
1. __f_ Public/Rhetorical

a. Communication to a large group of listeners

1. __a_ Organizational
a. Communication with oneself

1. __b_ Intercultural
a. Communication to a very large audience through mediated forms

1. __d_ Mass
a. Face-to-face communication between people

Communication Theories

Match the communication theories with their descriptions by placing the letter of the description in the blank.

1. __C__ Social penetration theory

2. __B__ Communication accommodation theory

3. ___A_ Spiral of silence theory

4. ___H_ Relational dialectics theory 5. __D__ Rhetoric/dramatism/narrative paradigm

6. ___B_ Muted group theory

7. ___I__ Communication privacy management theory

8. ____E_ Organizational culture theory

9. ____K_ Agenda-setting theory 10. ___L__ Face-negotiation theory

11. ___J__ Organizational information theory

12. ____M_ Symbolic interaction theory

13. ___N__ Cognitive dissonance theory

14. __O___ Expectancy violations theory

15. ___H__ Groupthink

A. Explains why parties to communication experience conflicting pulls that cause relationships to be in a constant state of flux. The closer individuals become to one another, the more conflict arises to pull them apart.

B. Explains why certain groups in society are muted, which means they are either silent or not heard

C. Explains why, as relationships develop, communication moves from less intimate levels to more intimate, more personal levels

D. Explains why people tend to remain silent when they think their views are in the minority

E. Explains how organizations make sense of the information that is essential for their existence

F. Explains some of the reasons for changes to speech as individuals attempt to emphasize or minimize the social differences between themselves and their interlocutors

G. Explains that people are essentially storytellers who make decisions on the basis of good reasons. History, biography, culture, and character determine what people consider good reasons.

H. Explains the process that people use to manage the relationship between concealing and revealing private information

I. Explains meanings for routine organizational events, thereby reducing the amount of cognitive processing and energy members need to expend throughout the day

J. Explains that mass media has a major influence on audiences by choosing what stories are newsworthy and how much prominence and space to give them

K. Explains how different cultures manage conflict and communication. The theory explains that the root of conflict is based on identity management on individual and cultural levels.

L. Explains how individuals act toward things on the basis of the meanings they assign to them. The meaning comes from the social interaction individuals have with others and with society.

M. Explains the tendency for individuals to seek consistency among their cognitions, such as beliefs and opinions. When there is an inconsistency between attitudes or behaviors (dissonance), something must change to eliminate the dissonance. In the case of a discrepancy between attitudes and behavior, it is most likely that the attitude will change to accommodate the behavior.

N. Explains how people have expectations about the nonverbal behaviors of others. Violations of these expectations may trigger a change in the perception of exchange—either positively or negatively, depending on the relationship.

O. Explains how individuals may withhold their opposing opinions to promote cohesiveness. Individuals may also withhold their opposing opinions because they fear rejection by the group.

Communication Theories and Contexts

Match the communication theories to their contexts by placing the letter of the context in the blank. Note. Letters may be used more than once.

A. Intrapersonal
B. Interpersonal
C. Group
D. Organizational
E. Public
F. Intercultural
G. Mass

1. C____ Social penetration theory

2. __G__ Communication accommodation theory

3. _B___ Spiral of silence theory

4. __A__ Relational dialectics theory

5. __F__ Rhetoric/dramatism/narrative paradigm

6. ___B_ Muted group theory

7. _E___ Communication privacy management theory

8. __D__ Organizational culture theory

9. _E___ Agenda-setting theory

10. __B__ Face-negotiation theory

11. __G__ Organizational information theory

12. ___B_ Symbolic interaction theory

13. __A Cognitive dissonance theory

14. ___C_ Expectancy violation theory