Who Am I as a Communicator?

 

 

 

This week’s application was a very interesting activity that offered me many new insights as well as the things that I have been unaware for quite some time. My evaluations with the communication anxiety and verbal aggressiveness were the most interesting, yet shocking results between what I saw of my myself, and what others saw.

In the communication anxiety assessment, I scored out as one that is able to communicate with others, but fears speaking in public to large groups of people and I am not well with influencing others. On the other hand, I was judged quite differently, as to where I was labeled as comfortable and confident in speaking in large groups and able to influence others. I do not agree with those two responses and I am clueless as to how those answers came about, considering that they were done by a co-worker and a relative that knows me quite well.

Verbal aggressions scale read that I am respectful of the viewpoints of others, as well as respectful of their opinions. I am not quick to engage in attacks towards others, but considerate. On the other hand as well, it was also said that I may cross the line of argumentativeness, which attacks a person’s position and often resort to character attacks and ridicule when talking to others that do not share my viewpoints. This particular feedback surprised me the most, because I never thought I could have been perceived as such in that particular area.

I have learned that sometimes, we don’t view ourselves as others do. This could possibly be due to the things we are in denial about and admitting to, as well as our body language, eye contact and body language that makes a major impact on the way others view us.  Yet, it could be the personal feelings of others who may perceive us as such can majorly contribute to these perceptions. We all have personal opinions of others and the way they may “seem to be”, but it is not always accurate. I say this to say this to say that this evaluation is even-handed in some areas. We must learn to correct the negative areas of all aspects to avoid being judged with characteristics we don’t actually possess, and the others evaluating must be sure to have a clearer understanding of someone before evaluating them and not basing opinions on personal feelings. Both insights can inform my personal and professional life, in terms of learning how to get to know a person better, before judging and making assumptions on one’s character, practicing this kind of behavior can lead to more effective communication amongst both parties.



 

How Diversity Dictates My Communication

 

 

As individuals, we all have our own original way of communicating, and it is normal that we may communicate differently with the particular crowds we accompany. I myself have the tendency to speak in different manners while in the presence of those with different groups and cultures, such as: race, religion, sexual orientation and varying abilities.

          When speaking with those that are of a different race than I, (Preferably Caucasian), I tend to speak in a more generous tone that helps my listener feel more at ease in the conversation. Keeping eye- contact and an occasional smile here and there is required to me as well. This particular form of communication is important to me due to the fact that there has been quite controversy on the relationship between African Americans and Caucasians since my older generations, and because I hardly get the chance to actually affiliate with Caucasians, I always try to make the best impression as possible when that opportunity does present itself.

When communication with those of a different religion than mine, I am more of a listener than speaker. My reason for this manner is the intentions I have to perceive others than myself and considering the cultures they obtain, in order to enhance my ways of understanding ones differences, than judging.

Communication with those of diverse sexual orientation, I usually carry the conversation with the reduction of labeling. “The labels we choose for our beliefs affect how we communicate them to others.” (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2015, p. 76). Avoiding biases and prejudice when speaking of individuals of LGBT is very important to me, therefore I speak neutrally to avoid any signs nicroaggressions.

“You let others know about yourself through self-presentation-intentional communication designed to show elements of the self for strategic purposes.” (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2015, p. 55). How we communicate with others, especially those different from our culture can say a lot about our character. No two people communicate the same, but it is vital that we learn to respectfully communicate with others through listening, as well as responding. I personally have a method for communicating with certain individuals for specific reasons.

References:
 O'Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J.  (2015). Real communication (3rd. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

 

Communication Skills Observation through Television Show

            The Television show that I chose to record and observe is the television show, “Orange is The New Black”, which is a Netflix premiere. I chose this particular show because I had been persuaded multiple times to watch this show, but never took into it. Therefore, I chose to use this show for my assignment.

            After the credits for the episode finished rolling, I muted my volume and began to watch. In this particular episode, I noticed a man and a woman sitting in a car together talking. Both parents looked sad as they were talking to one another. I assumed that the individuals were in a relationship. Next, the partners got out of the vehicle and walked up to a prison. The man continues to look sad as the woman begins to look around and over her shoulders with a nervous look on her face. Once they walk instead the prison, the man and woman were then stopped by a lady in a uniform, who looks very serious and stern, beckons for the lady to come forward and takes her to a room in the back. From the looks in this part of the scene, I believe that the lady is going to be searched by the officer. The lady turns around and looks at the guy, who I assume is her boyfriend, turns and looks and him while walking to the back.

            After rewinding and watching this part of the show over, I learned that the man and the woman were in a relationship, In fact, engaged to get married. The woman had gotten into some trouble years ago, which caused her to be forced to serve time in prison. The man and women were sitting in the car speaking with depressed looks on their faces because it was the day that the woman had to go to prison. The lady was nervous and afraid because she had never been to prison and didn’t know what to expect. The lady the met the man and women once they got inside, was a correctional officer of the prison and was there to take her clothing, check her body for any items that are prohibited to bring inside the prison and commanded that she changed into her prison jumpsuit. My assumptions were fairly correct in the episode and they were not difficult at all to determine the nonverbal communication at all.

 

I took the liberty of viewing the nonverbal communication, being that I was unable to hear and read the gestures and body language instead. From the five main categories of gestures and movements that convey meaning nonverbally (Ekman & Frisen, 1969), I believe that the “Affect displays” fit this particular scene perfectly. Through the facial expressions of the woman, ultimately displayed signs of “masking” from the time she was walking into the prison. “One common facial management technique is masking, replacing an expression that shows appropriate feeling for a given interaction.” (O'Hair, D., et al 2015 p104). It could possible that may assumptions would be more correct, had it been a show that I know well, simply because I have gotten to know most of the characters well and knowing their body language and facial expressions and what they usually portray when they display them.

            I learned that it is vital to be very attentive to the kinds of vides you may get from a person’s eye contact, facial expressions and body language and to not take them so personally. An “Aha” moment to my colleagues, Nonverbal communication can be tricky at times. When someone is displaying an act of sadness or frowning, it could be an act of sarcasm as well. Pay attention to all expressions of those involved to get a clearer understanding.

 

                                                                   References

O'Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J.  (2015). Real communication (3rd. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's. 

Someone who demonstrates competent communication

Michelle Obama

 

I chose First Lady, Michelle Obama as one who exhibits competent communication. Throughout eight years of President Obama's Presidential term, I have grown a love Mrs. Obama and the support she provides for her husband as he leads our country. From listening to the many speeches of Mrs. Obama and understanding how she shows a deep devotion to her country by the context in her communication when speaking to Americans, sending encouraging messages to U.S. citizens, from children to senior citizens. I am still in Awe just to known that Mrs. Obama visited my very own home state of Mississippi and spoke to the 2015 graduating class of Jackson State University, sending powerful messages to students who were in route to pursue their dreams. This particular behavior exhibited by Mrs. Obama makes her effective in my opinion.  I would want to model some of my own communication behaviors after Mrs. Obama, being that she has served as an advocate for poverty awareness and healthy eating to reduce obesity in America. As I am an aspiring Early childhood professional, practicing advocacy is one of my professional goals. to see how Mrs. Obama serves as an advocate and fosters for children and families, while acting as a role-model for women, I am truly inspired by the competence in First Lady Obama's communication.

References:

https://youtu.be/4ZNWYqDU948