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Communication Climate

April 19, 2011

Jessica Ctvrtlik, Kaity Dunlap, David Hunter, Katie Wright

Communication Climate

The relative acceptance or rejection a group member feels based upon the social and psychological tone of the relationships

established among group members

Two types of climates

Supportive Communication Climate

&Defensive

Communication Climate

Supportive Communication Climate

When group members feel their contributions are welcomed and valuedo Positiveo Creates opennesso Keeps group highly involvedo Encourages group members to share their feedback and

contribute to group task

Six Dimensions to Establish Supportive Communication Climate

1. Description vs Evaluation2. Problem Orientation vs control

3. Spontaneity vs Strategy4. Empathy vs Neutrality5. Equality vs Superior

6. Provisionalism vs Certainty

Description vs Evaluation

When a group member engages in descriptive communication, they focus on the speakers thoughts and feelings instead of judging the other person.

A group member who engages in evaluation passes judgment and blames other group members

o Evaluation: “You don’t know what you’re talking about!”o Description: “I don’t understand how you came up with

that idea.”

Problem Orientation vs Control

Problem orientation communicators focus on finding a mutually acceptable solution

Controlling communication occurs when a sender seems to be imposing a solution on the receiver with little regard for the receiver’s needs or interests

o Controlling: “You need to stay off the phone for the next two hours.”

o Problem orientation: “I’m expecting some important calls. Can we work out a way to keep the line open?”

Spontaneity vs Strategy

Spontaneity is the behavior of being honest with others rather than manipulating them.

Strategy is the defense behavior in which speakers hide their ulterior motives

o Strategy: “What are you doing Friday after work?”o Spontaneity: “I have a piano I need to move Friday after

work. Can you please give me a hand?”

Empathy vs Neutrality Empathy means accepting another’s group

member’s feelings and putting yourself in another’s place

Neutrality shows a lack of concern and implies that the welfare of the other person isn’t very important to youo Neutral: “Sometimes things just don’t work out. That’s

the way it goes.”o Empathetic: “I know you put a lot of time and effort into

this project.”

Equality vs Superiority Equality is when a group member treats all the

other group members the same and believes the contributions of all group members are equally needed

Superiority is when a group member treats other group members indifferently o Superior: “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”o Equal: “I see it a different way.”

Provisionalism vs Certainty

Provisionalism makes tentative judges about the task and group members

Certainty is when group members see only one way to approach a tasko Certain: “That will never work!”o Provisional: “I think you’ll run into problems with that

approach.”

Supportive Climate Example

YouTube - Positive Communication Climate

Discussion Has anyone had an experience when working

within a group that reflects this supportive communication climate? If so, did it help the group to be successful? Why?

Negative Communication

Climates

Video Example YouTube - Negative Communication Climate

Negative Communication

Disconfirming Messageso Shows a lack of respect or regard for another individualo Seven different types

Disagreeing Messageso State “you’re wrong” in one way or anothero Three different types

Type 1: Impervious Impervious- does not acknowledge the other

persons message

“The worst sin towards out fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that’s the essence of humanity.” --George Bernard Shaw

Type 2: Interrupting Interrupting- beginning to speak before the other

person has finished what they wish to say

Type 3: Irrelevant Responses

Irrelevant- a comment unrelated to what the other person has just said

Example: A: What a day! I thought it would never end! First the car broke down, and I had to call a tow truck, and then because I was late to work I was written up.B: Listen, we really need to talk about a present for Annie’s birthday. The party is Saturday, and I only have tomorrow to shop for it.A: I’m really beat. Could we talk about it a little later? I’ve never seen a day like this one.B: I just can’t figure out what to get Annie. She’s got everything…

Type 4: Tangential Responses

Tangential- Instead of ignoring the speaker’s remarks completely, the other party uses them as a starting point for a different topic

Example:A: We need to figure out where we want to go for spring break. If we don’t decide soon where we are going, we won’t be able to get reservations anywhere.B: Yeah, and if I don’t pass this physics test I won’t be in the mood to go anywhere. Could you give me some help with this homework?!

Type 5: Impersonal Response

Impersonal- loaded with clichés and other statements that never truly respond to the speaker.

Example: Employee: I’ve been having some personal problems lately, and I’d like to take off work early a couple of afternoons to clear them up.Boss: Ah, yes we all have personal problems. Seems to be a sign of the times.

Type 6: Ambiguous Responses

Ambiguous- contain messages with more than one meaning, leaving the other party unsure of the responder’s position.

Example:A: I’d like to get together with you soon to work on our project, how about Tuesday?B: Uh, maybe.A: Well how about it? Can we talk Tuesday?B: Maybe, well talk about it later.

Type 7: Incongruous Response

Incongruous- contains two messages that seem to deny or contradict each other.o Often at least one of these messages is nonverbal.

Example:A: Darling, I love you.B: I love you, too.

Disagreeing Messages Aggressiveness

o Most destructive form of disagreement Complaining

o Behavioral v. Personal Argumentativeness

o Not always a negative association

Specific Climate Case: School Classroom

Componentso Appearance and physical Environmento Faculty relationso Student Interactionso Leadership and Decision Makingo Attitudeo Clothing

What Climate Supports Students

Safety Cleanliness Supplies Interaction Encouraged Staff open to students Diversity Community Feeling

What Climate Impedes Students

Large Classroom Size Talking Head Teachers not open with students Low Expectations

Specific Example: Private vs. UC vs. Cal Poly

Class of Private Collegeo Small class sizeo Teacher knows every student by nameo Less Diversityo Well Supplied

University of California Class of UC

o Huge Lecture of 300 studentso Teacher doesn’t know students o Research orientedo Non-communal feelingo Separate discussion groups with T.A.

Cal Poly Poly Class

o Typical around 2 to 50 studentso Get to know professoro Learn by doingo Communal feeling

An Analysis of Communication Climate

Basic ways to improve and maintain a good communication climate

Characteristics of Supportive Climate

Description Problem spontaneity Empathy Equality Provisionalism

Characteristics of a Defensive Climate

Evaluation Control Strategy Neutrality Superiority Certainty

Main Difference? Types of messages

o Confirming messages – recognize the value and importance of a relational partner

o Disconfirming messages – makes a relational partner feel devalued

Additional Tips Give more feedback Give less discounting message Have good interpersonal relationships

The End!