Better Communicators are Problem Solvers

Autonomy vs connection:

• hints at the true meaning of the conversation that can be found in the setting of the communication

• tension between wanting to be independent and staying connected to others

• communication situations in which the interaction is governed by clearly expressed expectations

  
  

• a  state  of  disagreement,  hostility,  discord,  or  argument  that  can  exist  between  people  when  they  believe  their  needs,  beliefs,  or  characteristics  are  irreconcilable

Conflict:

• the tension that arises between opposing relational needs 

  
  

• tension regarding sharing personal information

• attacking  someone’s  personality,  character,  or  style  in  an  attempt  to  make the person wrong rather than their argument wrong

• a  state  of  disagreement,  hostility,  discord,  or  argument  that  can  exist  between  people  when  they  believe  their  needs,  beliefs,  or  characteristics  are  irreconcilable

attacking  someone’s  personality,  character,  or  style  in  an  attempt  to  make the person wrong rather than their argument wrong

Context Clues:

• hints at the true meaning of the conversation that can be found in the setting of the communication

• attacking  someone’s  personality,  character,  or  style  in  an  attempt  to  make the person wrong rather than their argument wrong

• communication situations in which the interaction is governed by clearly expressed expectations

• the tension that arises between opposing relational needs 

Draw your best example of Contempt (insulting a person through name-calling, sarcasm, hostility, mockery, sneering, eye-rolling, etc.):

Dialectical tensions:

• ignoring the other person’s argument completely, the silent treatment, muttering to yourself, changing the subject, leaving the situation, ignoring texts and sending calls straight to voicemail

• insulting a person through name-calling, sarcasm, hostility, mockery, sneering, eye-rolling, etc.

• the tension that arises between opposing relational needs

• one of the most common causes of conflict, both people wanting something different

Expression vs. Privacy:

• hints at the true meaning of the conversation that can be found in the setting of the communication

• tension between wanting to be independent and staying connected to others

• tension regarding sharing personal information

• tension between our desire for things to remain relatively constant, expected, and with no surprises and our need to have new experiences, variety, and change

ignoring the other person’s argument completely, the silent treatment, muttering to yourself, changing the subject, leaving the situation, ignoring texts, and sending calls straight to voicemail. (hint: a stone)

Draw your best example of a High Context Communication (a  communication  situation  or  relationship  in  which  there  are  numerous nonverbal cues to which you must adhere) situation:

Low Context Communication:

• tension between our desire for things to remain relatively constant, expected, and with no surprises and our need to have new experiences, variety, and change

• a  state  of  disagreement,  hostility,  discord,  or  argument  that  can  exist  between  people  when  they  believe  their  needs,  beliefs,  or  characteristics  are  irreconcilable

• playing the victim in an attempt to divert an attack or perceived attack

• communication situations in which the interaction is governed by clearly expressed expectations