Post #3
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading this week, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
The concepts that I am going to discuss in this post are Synchronous and Asynchronous communication and the pros and cons that go along with each. Synchronous communication is when you are simultaneously listening, speaking, and giving feedback. So basically it is a way of multitasking while communicating. Asynchronous communication is "one-way" road of communication, meaning that you give information, the other receives it, and then vice versa. There is no multitasking going on with this type of communication. The good thing about synchronous communication is that you get things done much faster, and since it is quicker, you get ideas flowing faster. One negative thing about this type of communication is that it might get too complicated for some, because some people find it hard to listen and speak at the same time. Information can also be lost with this type of communication because your mind wanders while trying to focus on what the other person is saying. A good thing about asynchronous communication is that you take the time to really focus on what someone is saying, because you don't have any other distractions so you can really pay attention. A bad thing about this type of communication is that you get things done much slower. It might take you longer to reach a solution or get an idea started because only one person is speaking at a time.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Week 11 (October 29 - November 4)
Post #2
2). How do anonymity, group size, and proximity influence participation and communication in CMC groups?
Some people have anxiety when speaking to others in public. For those people, computer mediated communication is probably their best way of getting through to others. I have a friend who is really shy in person, but very talkative on the phone, through texting, emails, and Facebook chat. For her, computer mediated communication is easiest. Things like anonymity, group size, and proximity are not an issue through CMC because you are not physically in conversation with other people. People who have problems with face to face communication don't have to worry about revealing their identity because of the anonymity that comes with CMC. Group size is also an issue that some people have with face to face communication. My friend, who I mentioned earlier, not only gets nervous when speaking in public, but the larger the group, the quieter she remains. I don't have an issue with this at all, so it is somewhat difficult for me to understand how this can cause anxiety for some people. Also, proximity when speaking to someone is a huge thing that makes people uncomfortable, and leads them to prefer CMC. I have no problem with proximity, but occasionally you run into a person who stands a little to close when speaking to you, and that bothers me. There are general social boundaries that some people just don't understand.
2). How do anonymity, group size, and proximity influence participation and communication in CMC groups?
Some people have anxiety when speaking to others in public. For those people, computer mediated communication is probably their best way of getting through to others. I have a friend who is really shy in person, but very talkative on the phone, through texting, emails, and Facebook chat. For her, computer mediated communication is easiest. Things like anonymity, group size, and proximity are not an issue through CMC because you are not physically in conversation with other people. People who have problems with face to face communication don't have to worry about revealing their identity because of the anonymity that comes with CMC. Group size is also an issue that some people have with face to face communication. My friend, who I mentioned earlier, not only gets nervous when speaking in public, but the larger the group, the quieter she remains. I don't have an issue with this at all, so it is somewhat difficult for me to understand how this can cause anxiety for some people. Also, proximity when speaking to someone is a huge thing that makes people uncomfortable, and leads them to prefer CMC. I have no problem with proximity, but occasionally you run into a person who stands a little to close when speaking to you, and that bothers me. There are general social boundaries that some people just don't understand.
Week 11 (October 29 - November 4)
Post #1
1). How does CMC differ from f2f communication? (Think outside the box).
1). How does CMC differ from f2f communication? (Think outside the box).
There
are many differences between computer mediated communication (CMC) and face to face
communication (F2F). First of all, face to face communication is done in
person, meaning between two or more people in physical and real time. Computer
mediated communication is done through emails, texting, online chatting, chat
rooms, video chatting, etc. It is basically any type of communication that is
not physically done in-person. Another main difference between these two types
of communication is that you can have nonverbal and physical cues in person,
but you can't pick up on these cues with computer mediated communication. You
also cannot read a person’s body language or facial expressions when engaged in
computer mediated communication, which are a huge part of human communication
and interaction. I tend to use nonverbal cues quite frequently so I prefer face
to face communication. I also tend to go off of people’s facial
expressions and body language to gauge the exact meaning of what they are
saying. For example, sarcasm is something that is very hard to pick up on
unless you are speaking in-person with someone. A lot of the time I can’t tell
if someone is joking or not in a text message or email because I can’t read
their facial expression.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Week 9 (October 15 - 21)
Week 9, Post #3
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading this week, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
The concept that I am going to discuss in this post is active listening response methods. The four methods that correlate to active listening are paraphrasing, expressing understanding, asking questions, and using nonverbal communication. These four methods when used together help give you the best chance at retaining what somewhat is saying and in relaying the fact that you are paying attention. I definitely use all four of these methods when actively listening and responding to someone. I know I have already used my work as an example but anytime I have to speak with customers I always nod my head to show that I am hearing what they are saying, and I always repeat back to them what they have just told me so that we are both clear on what they want, whether it is seating someone at a table or taking a to-go order over the phone. It is very interesting to think that someone could say something to you, and you could possibly interpret it in a completely different way than it was intended to be understood. Also, if I'm not sure of something that someone wants, I always ask questions. I would much rather ask a lot of questions and get it right, than pretend to know what they want, get it wrong, and then have to deal with an upset customer.
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading this week, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
The concept that I am going to discuss in this post is active listening response methods. The four methods that correlate to active listening are paraphrasing, expressing understanding, asking questions, and using nonverbal communication. These four methods when used together help give you the best chance at retaining what somewhat is saying and in relaying the fact that you are paying attention. I definitely use all four of these methods when actively listening and responding to someone. I know I have already used my work as an example but anytime I have to speak with customers I always nod my head to show that I am hearing what they are saying, and I always repeat back to them what they have just told me so that we are both clear on what they want, whether it is seating someone at a table or taking a to-go order over the phone. It is very interesting to think that someone could say something to you, and you could possibly interpret it in a completely different way than it was intended to be understood. Also, if I'm not sure of something that someone wants, I always ask questions. I would much rather ask a lot of questions and get it right, than pretend to know what they want, get it wrong, and then have to deal with an upset customer.
Week 9 (October 15 - 21)
Week 9, Post #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?
Usually when I have had selective attention it is in class or when my parents are lecturing me about something. My parents have great intentions, but sometimes they go on forever about something that should have only taken thirty seconds to say. An example of when I had selective attention was this one time in my freshman year of high school when my mom was trying to explain to me how to set-up the new sprinkler system. She was explaining to me the way the system worked and how to set the timer and do everything. I had already gotten the same lesson from my dad, but my mom insisted on showing me again. I didn't pay attention at all, I just paid enough attention so that I could respond with a "yeah" or a "got it" from time to time so she thought I was listening and paying attention. I think the reason why I had selective attention in this specific situation was because I had already learned how to set-up the sprinkler system, and I didn't need to hear it again. Also, I was a moody teenager and hated being lectured by my parents about anything, whether I was in trouble or not. The only way to overcome these type of situations is to physically make yourself pay attention and not get distracted by anything else. Eye contact helps me pay attention to something, even if I really don't want to pay attention. As long as I am making eye contact I force myself to listen and pay attention.
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?
Usually when I have had selective attention it is in class or when my parents are lecturing me about something. My parents have great intentions, but sometimes they go on forever about something that should have only taken thirty seconds to say. An example of when I had selective attention was this one time in my freshman year of high school when my mom was trying to explain to me how to set-up the new sprinkler system. She was explaining to me the way the system worked and how to set the timer and do everything. I had already gotten the same lesson from my dad, but my mom insisted on showing me again. I didn't pay attention at all, I just paid enough attention so that I could respond with a "yeah" or a "got it" from time to time so she thought I was listening and paying attention. I think the reason why I had selective attention in this specific situation was because I had already learned how to set-up the sprinkler system, and I didn't need to hear it again. Also, I was a moody teenager and hated being lectured by my parents about anything, whether I was in trouble or not. The only way to overcome these type of situations is to physically make yourself pay attention and not get distracted by anything else. Eye contact helps me pay attention to something, even if I really don't want to pay attention. As long as I am making eye contact I force myself to listen and pay attention.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Week 9 (October 15 - 21)
Week 9, Post #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 recently got a job at a restaurant and it gets very noisy inside when we are busy. I'm not used to the noise level, and it catches me off guard sometimes. My old job was at a daycare and if it ever got too noisy I had the ability to quite everyone down, but in this current job I don't have that option. The other day I was on the phone with a customer taking a to-go order and it was so loud inside of the restaurant that I couldn't hear a word he was saying. I asked him multiple times to speak up, but it was useless and eventually he got frustrated, yelled at me, and hung up. Even when he yelled I couldn't hear what he had said. This was a difficult situation because I was paying attention, I just couldn't hear him because of the noise level inside. The phrase that correlates with this situation is the "sensing" or "hearing the message" phrase. In this case, external noise was my enemy because it prevented me from being able to hear what the man on the phone was saying. The only way this situation could have been avoided was if it was quieter in the restaurant or if the volume on the phone could go any higher.
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 recently got a job at a restaurant and it gets very noisy inside when we are busy. I'm not used to the noise level, and it catches me off guard sometimes. My old job was at a daycare and if it ever got too noisy I had the ability to quite everyone down, but in this current job I don't have that option. The other day I was on the phone with a customer taking a to-go order and it was so loud inside of the restaurant that I couldn't hear a word he was saying. I asked him multiple times to speak up, but it was useless and eventually he got frustrated, yelled at me, and hung up. Even when he yelled I couldn't hear what he had said. This was a difficult situation because I was paying attention, I just couldn't hear him because of the noise level inside. The phrase that correlates with this situation is the "sensing" or "hearing the message" phrase. In this case, external noise was my enemy because it prevented me from being able to hear what the man on the phone was saying. The only way this situation could have been avoided was if it was quieter in the restaurant or if the volume on the phone could go any higher.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Week 7 (October 1 -7)
Post #3
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading this week, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
The concept I want to discuss is paralanguage. Paralanguage is basically the meaning we perceive, as well as the actual words we use to deliver a message. It is essentially how we say something. Things that affect this are dialects, pitch, tone, accents, rate of speech, silences, and pauses. A phrase can be perceived differently depending on these factors, how you say something is very significant. Accents are a huge factor as to why we hear and understand things a certain way. For example, my parents are from Iran, and I have witnessed my parents both being talked to as if they were stupid or ignorant just because they have an accent when speaking English. This also leads to judgment and stereotyping before really giving someone a chance to show their true selves off. As much as the words you speak are important, how you say them is just as important and relevant to getting your message across with the correct meaning.
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading this week, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
The concept I want to discuss is paralanguage. Paralanguage is basically the meaning we perceive, as well as the actual words we use to deliver a message. It is essentially how we say something. Things that affect this are dialects, pitch, tone, accents, rate of speech, silences, and pauses. A phrase can be perceived differently depending on these factors, how you say something is very significant. Accents are a huge factor as to why we hear and understand things a certain way. For example, my parents are from Iran, and I have witnessed my parents both being talked to as if they were stupid or ignorant just because they have an accent when speaking English. This also leads to judgment and stereotyping before really giving someone a chance to show their true selves off. As much as the words you speak are important, how you say them is just as important and relevant to getting your message across with the correct meaning.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Week 7 (October 1 - 7)
Post #2
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 (Gass & Seiter, 2007). Proxemics or "proximity" relates to how close or how far you get to people when communicating. Different postures and distances between people can be a nonverbal cue of how you really feel about them. For example, if you are standing very close to someone and staring into their eyes while you are involved in conversation, it is apparent that you might be attracted to that person. This goes along with the proximity in which you are to the other person. Chronemics is the study of the use of time. In our western culture, time is very valuable because we don't like to waste time, nor do we have time to waste. The planning of time is very important in small groups because you have limited time together based on everyone's schedules. There are some universal rules for all cultures regarding these concepts. For example, my parents are from Iran, and when they speak to people, sometimes they get too close and I have to remind them to back off a little bit. Also, I recently got a job at a restaurant and I have noticed that the Middle Eastern customers that come in generally stand much closer to me when speaking to me than others do. My parents also don't really take time into consideration. They are always running late, which is a bad habit of mine as well. They like to do things a little slower, rather than rushing through things. Another example of this is when we are at a family gathering and we are trying to leave. It takes at least 30 minutes (I wish I was kidding), for my parents to say goodbye and gather their things because they start engaging in conversation as they are saying goodbye. Time doesn't really affect their actions.
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 (Gass & Seiter, 2007). Proxemics or "proximity" relates to how close or how far you get to people when communicating. Different postures and distances between people can be a nonverbal cue of how you really feel about them. For example, if you are standing very close to someone and staring into their eyes while you are involved in conversation, it is apparent that you might be attracted to that person. This goes along with the proximity in which you are to the other person. Chronemics is the study of the use of time. In our western culture, time is very valuable because we don't like to waste time, nor do we have time to waste. The planning of time is very important in small groups because you have limited time together based on everyone's schedules. There are some universal rules for all cultures regarding these concepts. For example, my parents are from Iran, and when they speak to people, sometimes they get too close and I have to remind them to back off a little bit. Also, I recently got a job at a restaurant and I have noticed that the Middle Eastern customers that come in generally stand much closer to me when speaking to me than others do. My parents also don't really take time into consideration. They are always running late, which is a bad habit of mine as well. They like to do things a little slower, rather than rushing through things. Another example of this is when we are at a family gathering and we are trying to leave. It takes at least 30 minutes (I wish I was kidding), for my parents to say goodbye and gather their things because they start engaging in conversation as they are saying goodbye. Time doesn't really affect their actions.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Week 7 (October 1-7)
Post #1
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.
Although all 8 principles of nonverbal communication are valuable, the two that stuck out to me the most are principle 3 and 7. The third principle states that nonverbal communication becomes more meaningful when others have attached an actual meaning to it. This is very true because it also helps establish a sort of credibility to the nonverbal cue, as well as an overall understanding of what the cue means. For example, my best friend and I have a lot of nonverbal cues that we use when interacting with each other. We have a specific look we give each other when we want to draw each other's attention to another person near by. I have used this look with other friends, and they seem to understand what I am trying to say with the nonverbal cue. This helped establish credibility for the cue that we use, because we aren't the only ones who understand it. The seventh principle states that men and women differ in the accuracy of decoding nonverbal cues. Just like with verbal communication, men and women usually interpret things differently, and the same idea also applies to nonverbal communication and cues. For example, I use certain nonverbal cues with my girl friends that I can't use with my guy friends because they don't pick up on them. They will look at me like I am crazy, where as my girl friends will know exactly what I am trying to say without me having to speak a word.
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.
Although all 8 principles of nonverbal communication are valuable, the two that stuck out to me the most are principle 3 and 7. The third principle states that nonverbal communication becomes more meaningful when others have attached an actual meaning to it. This is very true because it also helps establish a sort of credibility to the nonverbal cue, as well as an overall understanding of what the cue means. For example, my best friend and I have a lot of nonverbal cues that we use when interacting with each other. We have a specific look we give each other when we want to draw each other's attention to another person near by. I have used this look with other friends, and they seem to understand what I am trying to say with the nonverbal cue. This helped establish credibility for the cue that we use, because we aren't the only ones who understand it. The seventh principle states that men and women differ in the accuracy of decoding nonverbal cues. Just like with verbal communication, men and women usually interpret things differently, and the same idea also applies to nonverbal communication and cues. For example, I use certain nonverbal cues with my girl friends that I can't use with my guy friends because they don't pick up on them. They will look at me like I am crazy, where as my girl friends will know exactly what I am trying to say without me having to speak a word.
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