verbal communication
is the exchange of spoken or written language with others during interaction
Symbols
Whenever we use items to represent other things, they are known as
Constitutive rules
define word meaning. they tell us which words represent which objects.
When you learn the vocabulary of a language, you are learning this
Regulative rules
govern how we use language when we verbally communicate
They are traffic laws controlling language use (spelling, grammar, sentence structure, conversation)
Personal idioms
words and phrases that have unique meaning to them.
Often created by partners in a close relationship such as
Honeybear or Pookie (dont judge me these are examples from the textbook). Reflects happiness
Dialects
a large group of people within a particular culture who speak the same language may, over time, develop their own variations of that language
ingroupers
We judge others who use the same dialect as us as ____ and make positive judgements about them as a result
out groupers
We judge people with dissimilar dialects as ____ and make negative judgements about them
Denotative meaning
the literal meaning of words, as agreed on by members of your culture
Connotative meaning
additional understandings of a word's meaning based on the situation and the knowledge we and our communication partners share
Linguistic determinism/ Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
We cannot conceive of that for which we lack vocabulary -- that language quite literally defines the boundaries of our language
Naming
creating linguistic symbols for objects.
One of mankinds most profound and unique abilities.
Had the greatest effect against people with previous historical or cultural background (homosexuals to homo as an insult)
Speech acts
The actions that we perform with language
Representative speech acts
Commits the speaker to the trust of whats been said. Come in the form of assertions and conclusions ("It sure is a beautiful day")
Directive speech act
Attempts to get listeners to do things. Come in the form of questions, requests, and commands. ("Can you loan me $5)
Commissive speech act
Commits speakers to future actions. Come in the form of promises or threats. ("I will always love you, no matter what happens")
Expressive speech act
Coveys a psychological or emotional state that the speaker is experiencing. Come in the form of thanks, apologies, and congratulations. ("Thank you so much for the wonderful gift")
Declarative speech act
Produces dramatic, observable effects. Come in form of marriage, pronouncements, firing declarations. ("From this point onward, you are no longer an employee of this organization")
Cooperative verbal communication
Using messages that have 3 characteristics:
You speak in ways that others can clearly understand, using information that is informative, clear, honest, and relevant.
You take ownership of what you are saying by "I" language
Make others feel included by using "we" language
Cooperative principle
making our conversational contributions as informative, clear, honest, and relevant as is required, given the purposes of the encounters in which we are involved
Honesty
is the single most important characteristic of cooperative verbal communication because other people count on the fact that the information you share with them is truthful
Misunderstanding
when one person misperceives another's verbally expressed thoughts, feelings, or beliefs
You" language
phrases that place the focus of attention and blame on other people
I" feelings
phrases that emphasize ownership of your feelings, opinion, and beliefs. Creates a clearer impression on listeners and that youre responsible for what youre saying and that youre expressing your own perceptions rather than stating unquestionable truths
we" language
wordings that emphasize inclusion. Couples who use this tend to be more satisfied with their relationships than people who rely on "i" and "you
Verbal aggression
the tendency to attack others self-concepts rather than their positions on topics of conversation
Deception
occurs when people deliberately use uninformative, untruthful, irrelevant, or vague language for the purpose of misleading others
Defensive communication
impolite messages delivered in response to suggestions, criticism, or perceived slights
Dogmatic messages
a person dismisses suggestions for improvement or constructive criticism, refuses to consider other views, and continues to believe their behaviors are acceptable. Type of defensive communication
Superiority messages
the speaker suggests that he or she possess superior knowledge, ability, or status far beyond the other individual. Type of defensive communication
Indifference messages
a person implies that the suggestion or criticism being offered is irrelevant, uninteresting, or unimportant. Type of defensive communication
Control messages
a person seeks to squelch criticism by controlling the other individual or encounter. Type of defensive communication
Communication apprehension
fear or anxiety associated with interaction, which keeps someone from communicating cooperatively
Communication plans
mental maps that describe exactly how communication encounters will unfold. Created prior to situations where you may be uncomfortable to relieve anxiety
Plan actions
The first part in communication plans. The moves you think you will perform in an encounter that will cause you anxiety
Plan contingencies
The second part in communication plans. The messages you think the other person will present and how you will respond
linguistic relativity
People from different cultures would perceive and think about the world in very different ways