Week 9 Question 3

The concept that interested me in chapter 7 is providing constructive feedback. “Offer constructive feedback that uses descriptive statements without judgment, exaggeration, labeling, or attribution of motives”(p.139). To be honest, I really don’t know how to give a good feedback, because I always afraid I would say something hurtful or inappropriate. I feel kind of disrespectful if I offer some changes to the person, because I think they must work really hard on their piece and I am not just comfortable to give negative feedback. When I give feedback I follow the rules, “Say why you are affected that way and describe the connection between the facts you observed and your feelings, let the other person respond, Describe he change you want the other person to consider…”(p. 139). However, the concept of constructive feedback is easy to understand but it is easier said then done. I think I just have to overcome my issue with giving feedback.

Week 9 Question 2

When my dad was talking to the family about my sister’s attitude problem, I knew I had to be there for my sister, however, I just find it very boring that we were talking about the same problem again. I think the most difficult part for me in this situation is selective attention. When we are talking about something interesting, I would listen more carefully and give more feedbacks. However, when my dad starts to repeat himself, my attention tends to drift off elsewhere. The way to overcome that is to speak up, and remind my father that he is repeating the information and we should move on to more important issue. Because I am a very selective attention kind of person, I always avoid the topic I am not interested in. However, if the topic of a listening situation benefits me, then I would constantly remind myself that and try to keep my focus.

Week 9 Question 1

The most difficult part in listening situation for me is noise, both internal and external. When I was in my World Communication class today, the bird are chirping, then I would look outside the window and thinking, “what kind of bird that is”. This is a classic example of external noise “distractions that make it difficult to hear the other person” (p.132). Then half way through the class, I would start thinking there are some bills I have to pay when I get home. That is an example of internal noise,” a preoccupation with personal issue…”(p.133). This tendency of me shifting my attention else where in a lecture is really hurting me because when I shift back my focus to the lecture, I already missed a lot and its hard for me to catch up. The way for myself to overcome this bad habit is that I have to focus on the lecture from the very beginning otherwise I would shift my focus somewhere else very fast. If I have full attention in the lecture from the beginning then there will be too much information for me to absorb therefore I wouldn’t have time to shift my attention.

Week 7 Question 3

The concept that interests me in chapter 6 is humor. I think humor in very important in any kind of relationship and that includes in groups and teams “humor uses the power of verbal communication to share messages, relive stress, support group fantasies, integrate ideas, support common values, convey messages and meaning to people, and help listener acceptance” (Harris & Sherblom, 2008, p. 113). All of these subjects are keys to hold a cohesive group together and create a positive atmosphere for groups or teams. My example is that when I am in a group and there is a humorous person who always cracks jokes about himself or the things we do, I feel more comfortable in the situation and I wouldn’t be hesitate to contribute more. If I am in a stiff group or team, I would still be able to contribute my part but it wouldn’t be a nice experience and we wouldn’t have a sense of unity.

Week 7 Question 2

Proxemics is the use of space, for example personal space and individual boundary, “the study of the structuring of personal space- the invisible boundary individuals draw around themselves as proxemics. Chronemics is the use of time or “study of the use of time” (p.119). There isn’t a universal rules for all cultures regarding these concepts. Every culture is different in the sense of the use of space and time. For example, in the U.S people have larger personal space. When in line at McDonalds, people stand further apart from each other. However, at a McDonalds’ in Asia, people stand so much closer, and almost like they knew each other to be in such close proxemics. Same thing with Chronemic; in the U.S time is very precise, if say the meeting start at 3 then the meeting will start at 3. However, the use of time is much more flexible in Asian countries.

Week 7 Question 1

Principle 2 it is more likely to be believed than verbal communication. I think this principle apply to any nonverbal situation and not just in small group. We always hear “actions are louder than words” because it is what you do that matters more than what you say. When a person say we will work hard to accomplish this group project but he/she is the one always show up late and didn’t contribute enough in the project. In this case, we will believe in what his/her nonverbal message, which is he/she doesn’t take this group project as serious as he/she said.

Principle 7 women are more sensitive than men to nonverbal cues. I think this is true especially in group communication. I often notice in a group or team, the social-emotional roles who create a better climate and working relationships among group members are usually women. Women are more sensitive therefore they pick up on nonverbal messages quicker and more accurate. When creating a positive atmosphere in the group the social-emotional role has to be sensitive enough to notice every member’s needs and their emotion state.