bianca burgess' study guide blog

Tuesday, October 12, 2004

chapter two review

The second chapter in the book focuses on myths and misconceptions placed around communication. They point out that most people assume that they know more about communicating than they actually do. Many assume that because they think communicating is common sense they believe themselves to have a good grasp on it. However, most common sense concepts are not correct.

The first myth they describe is one that surrounds meanings and that what people mean is what they say. This is not true. Each person has his or her own idea as to what each word means to them so it is very important to be clear and ask questions to make sure that in communicating you understand what someone else is saying and truly meant.

Another myth brought up in this chapter is that people automatically assume that communication is a good thing. The authors immediately correct this misconception by saying that it is neither a good or a bad thing, but a tool, that can be used in both fashions. I believe this idea comes from the fact that people associate commuication with simply talking and making sure you and another person are on the same page. But this is just an example of using communication in a good way. Therefore, the more talking someone does with another person will not necessarily result in a benefitted situation. It is only if the quality of what was said was beneficial and not the quantity or how much the same thing was repeated over and over again.

The authors have created a diagram that effectively diplays the communication process. This diagram shows how communication is not a one way action and how each party has the opportunity to take the information given in and process it and give their own ideas and opinions.

Within the communication process there are four major components. The source is the person or group who sends out the message. The channel is the medium by which the message is carried. Before our country became more civilized the medium the U.S Post Office used for delivering messages was a man on a horse. The receiver is the person or persons who receive the message, and of course the final and very important component is the message. It is pointed out that in order for the communication process to be effective we must put ourselves in the other persons shoes so that the sender and or receiver can understand where the other is coming from.

In describing formal communication, which is that between the upper level authority and the subordinate, it's important to remember that it will only be received if the authority figure is willing. They are in a position where they can be totally unreceptive and stop the message from being received and taken into action. It is suggested that the subordinate must clearly shape and formulate their ideas, make them direct, positive and timely so that it wont be so easy for them to be rejected.

Horizontal communication, that between people of the same status, happens much more frequently. For example, I am much moe likely and alot more comfortable talking to Aubrey about any complcations I might have with this class than the professor himself.

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