Discussion Oct 15-21 Question 3

3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading this week, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.

I found the concept of noise to be useful and important to know. Noise is an inhibitor to the message being received. There are two types of noise: external and internal. These two types create distractions that make it difficult for people to hear the message. External noise is something that makes it difficult for the person to hear the message based on happenings around their environment. For instance, when listening to someone speaks, you can be distracted by phone calls. Internal noise deals with personal issues, or emotions that can be distracting you internally. A listener can be distracted when they are preoccupied thinking about a personal issue. If a listener does not make a conscious effort to remain actively listening they will succumb to the noise inhibitor, making it difficult to effectively listen. When I am in a meeting with someone, I can be distracted by movements around me, or when someone coughs or sniffles. If I do not focus on actively listening I will soon find myself thinking about the things that are distracting me, thusly an external noise turns into an internal noise distracter.

Discussion Oct 15-21 Question 1

1). Think of a recent situation in which you found listening difficult. Which one (or more) of the four phases presented the most difficulty for you? Why? How could this have been overcome?

I am doing my studies on the first floor room of a sorority house. My girlfriend wanted me to spend time with her here while we both work on our homework. I am finding it especially difficult to listen due to all of the chatter going on around me. There are girls working on crafts for their “Little Sisters”, girls going around to the kitchen to make food (which sends messages to my hungry stomach), girls gossiping about what they plan to do this night, and my girlfriend leaning over to give me a kiss. Tonight, what I am “listening” to is the chapter reading. Because I have read through it before, it is less important to me, making it easier for me to be distracted. Because of this, I would say my selective attention, or sensing phase, is the most difficult for me right now. Ways to overcome this would be to leave the environment that is so distracting. I could also put in headphones and listen to some sort of white noise music, or music that would not be too distracting, perhaps classical? As I sit here typing, I find myself drifting off eager to eavesdrop on the conversations all about me, yes, perhaps headphones would have been a good decision.

Discussion Oct 15-21 Question 2

2). Give a personal example where you have had selective attention. Why do you think that is? Is there a way you were able to overcome it?

This week has been very difficult for me to “listen”. I have had many topics arise this week that have been very significant to me. Because of this, my ability to sense, or hear the message, has been scrambled. My selective attention keeps bouncing me around in my mind while I am trying to listen. When I am in a group conversation about one topic, something said will trigger an incident that reminds me of another topic that is significant to me. This week I am dealing with preparations for an AFAST (Army Aviation Test), an Inter Fraternity Council dance with my girlfriend, a report as President for the executive committee of Sigma Nu, a Family Day event this Saturday for the new pledge class, and homework. These topics all have importance to me, though their importance is significant for different reasons. While I try to focus on one topic, I will find myself thinking of another. Trying to juggle all of this so far has been difficult. However, by keeping notes of my thoughts I have been able to improve my ability to interpret, evaluate, and retain my messages.

Discussion #3, Oct 1-7

3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading this week, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.

I found the text on denotative and connotative meaning to be useful and interesting. Denotative meaning is the literal meaning or representation of a word. In the English language, however, the 500 most used words have more than 14,000 dictionary definitions. This is a lot for someone to understand. Connotative meaning plays a big role in helping individuals understand words being used. Connotative meaning depends on the multiple subjective realities carried by group members (Harris & Sherbloom, 2011 pg. 94).  Words have fuller meanings than those derived directly from the dictionary. We must understand the context and associations with the word being used. An example of connotative meanings could be referring to people as team leaders rather than managers. Having someone lead and develop you is more desired than having someone tell you what to do. With the simple effect of rewording something, the connotative and denotative meanings change. As the text states, language use is powerful (Harris and Sherbloom, 2011 pg. 94).

Discussion #2, Oct 1-7

2). Explain proxemics and chronemics. Are there universal rules for all cultures regarding these concepts? Give personal examples if possible. Give examples of personal experience in other cultures regarding these two concepts.

Proxemics is the study of how we use space to communicate. How close we sit or stand to someone when we talk communicates our attitude and feelings towards the person. In Comm 101C our teacher, Dr. Webb, had us do an activity in which we would talk about a topic supplied to us. And every time Dr. Webb would indicate, we would have to take a step closer to one another. Eventually we were extremely close and people’s body language, eye contact, and even tone of voice would change. Dr. Webb was showing us the effects proxemics has on communication. Another example is when my Dad told me of an instance where he and his male Greek friend went for a walk around town, and his friend literally held him by the arm, making them look like a couple. My Dad was alarmed but understood the cultural differences in proxemics. Chronemics is the study of the use of time. Groups must be sensitive to the time-based expectations of the members within the group. My Dad is always running late on things, when we decide to go somewhere, he would have us start the car, and suddenly he would have 15 things to do in the house before we could leave. My sister and I would grow impatient of sitting in a running car watching him run out the front door, and whip around to go right back in.

Discussion #1, Oct 1-7

1). Return to the eight principles of nonverbal communication. Pick two principles, and provide new examples of how they operate in a group or team.

Two principles of nonverbal communication that I appreciated were the first and second. The first principle states that our nonverbal communication affects the quality of our relationships. Our nonverbal communication speaks a great deal of how we feel about those around us. It is estimated that 65%-93% of a message’s meaning is nonverbal. Sitting next to someone in class shows a comfort and liking towards the individual. Sometimes, when riding in a bus or on the plane, we will avoid sitting next to strangers that we are not attracted to. This will communicate our unease towards the individual. The second principle states that our nonverbal communication is likely to be believed more than our verbal communication. The saying, “your actions speak louder than your words” speaks heavily here. If our actions are hypocritical of our sayings, people will be more inclined to believe our actions. Saying something is not enough as it is to act or demonstrate something.