From birth, we struggle to be understood. We flail our arms, cry, scream, smile, frown, and make sounds and gestures to attract attention or to communicate our wants or needs. By adulthood, each of us has developed a unique way of communicating through gestures, words, expressions, and body language. Different cultures have different ways of expressing feelings and using body language. Members of some cultures gesture broadly; others maintain a closed body posture. Some are offended by direct eye contact, and others welcome a steady gaze. Although people differ in communication, this does not mean one sex, gender, culture, or group communicates better. We must be willing to accept differences and work to keep lines of communication open and fluid.
Read the following scenarios and indicate how each describes you according to the following rating scale:
5 = Would describe me all or nearly all the time
3 = Would describe me sometimes, but it would be a struggle for me
1 = Would describe myself as never or almost never
1. In a room full of mostly strangers, you find it easy to mingle and strike up conversations with anyone.
2. Someone you respect is critical or hateful about someone you like. You are comfortable speaking up and saying that you disagree and why you feel that way.
3. Someone in your class needs to do their part on a group project, and their work needs to be revised. You can be direct and tell them the work is not acceptable.
4. One of your friends asks you to let them look at your class assignment because they have yet to have time to do so. You know that they skip class regularly and seem never to do their own work, so you politely tell them no.
5. You realize that the person you are dating is not suitable for you, and you are probably not right for them either. When the individual blurts out, “I love you,” you say, “I’m sorry, but I do not have the same feelings for you.”
6. Your instructor asks you to give a presentation at a state conference, discussing health problems faced by students on campus. You tell the instructor that you would love to do it and begin planning what you will say.
7. You do not want to go to a party on Friday night, even though all of your good friends will go. When asked what time they should pick you up, you tell them that you appreciate the offer but you do not want to go.
8. Your best friend is in an abusive relationship. You tell your friends they might benefit from visiting the campus counseling center.
9. Students in your class have done poorly on a recent exam and believe the test was unfair. You volunteer to be a spokesperson and talk with the instructor, telling her what the class thinks of the exam.
10. You see someone you are attracted to. You walk up to the person and strike up a conversation with the intention of asking them out for a cup of coffee.
The higher your score on the above scenarios (the more 5’s you have), the more likely it is that you are a direct and clear communicator. Answer the following: How do you rate as a communicator? How might others rate you? Are you generally someone who expresses thoughts easily, or are you more apt to say nothing for fear of saying the wrong thing? Why do you think you would have difficulties in these situations?
How might you best communicate in these situations to achieve the results you want?
What steps can you take toward becoming a better communicator and improving your relationships? Today? Within the next two weeks? By the end of the semester? Respond with at least 2-3 pages, using APA 7th Edition GuidelinesLinks to an external site. (include an introduction, in-text citations, conclusion, and references as appropriate).