CHAPTER 18 - HUMAN PERFORMANCE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY

 

COMMUNICATION

What is communication?  See pages 629 and 630.

1)      There is a sender - the person who instigates the message.  The sent to the receiver

2)      To send a message, information is encoded.  To receive a message, information is decoded.

3)      Communications occurs through different types of channels (verbal, nonverbal, written, oral)   

4)      Noise can cause interference.  Noise can be both internal (mood, etc) or external (loud music).

5)      Comm. occurs w/in a context.  Physical setting, relationship btw sender & receiver, etc.

 

Nonverbal Communication: Actions Often Speak Louder than Words

v     Kinesics (Gestures & Body Language)

Ø      Communication w/o words - using gestures & body language (posture, behaviors, etc).

v     Proxemics (Physical & Personal Space)

Ø      Intimate distance – from touching to approximately 18 inches from the face - very few ppl can go here.

Ø      Personal distance – 18 inches to about 4 feet from your body.  Your friends, but not your boss.

Ø      Social distance – 4 to 12 feet.  "Social distance" - talking w/ ppl @ work.

Ø      Public Distance – 12 feet or more from the body

v     Paralanguage (The Way Words Are Spoken)

Ø      How you say what you say.  That's just great! Vs. Thaaat's just great.

 

What Blocks Good Communication?

1)      Physical distractions - noise, heat, etc.

2)      Perceptual set - seeing what you want to see.  Only paying attn to things that support your side.

3)      Semantics - choose your words wisely, bc if you don't, it can be a roadblock to communication!

4)      Mixed messages - are your words & your behaviors somehow incompatible?

5)      Status differences - differences in status between the sender & receiver

6)      Communication overload - receiving too much information at once

 

How can we promote good communication?

Pages 639 - 641. 

 

PERSUASION - Persuasion:  an attempt to change your attitude!

v     Who - The Source in Communication - The Communicator

Ø      When it comes to trivialities, an attractive communicator is more persuasive.

§         Ex: Michael Jordan selling underwear.

Ø      In more serious matters, that communicator needs to be credible & have expertise.

§         Who are you going to believe more when it comes to choosing a plan to prevent another heart attack?  Your doctor's plan or the plan of some pretty person extolling the virtues of the newest fad?

v     What - The Communication Message

Ø      Sometimes it's best to present a two-sided argument, particularly if your audience in attentive & well motivated & informed

Ø      If your audience is not attentive & well motivated & informed, try a one-sided argument. 

Ø      Messages that appeal to the emotions can be very effective. 

§         If you elect my opponent, he'll let all the child molesters out of prison!

§         If you use body wash, people will like you & want to be with you.

Ø      Messages with a cognitive component can also be very effective. 

§         You should vote for me because this is how I stand on these issues.  I support..... I voted for..... look at the facts of my record.

v     To Whom - The Audience for the Persuasion

Ø      Paying attention to the make-up of your audience is a must.  You tailor your message differently to each group. 

v     How - The Channel & Methods for Persuasion

Ø       Repeated exposure - simply put, ↑ exposure can bring on ↑ positive feelings ---> attitude change.

Ø      Classical conditioning - associate your message w/ something your audience already likes. 

Ø       The Foot in the Door Technique - agree to a large request after first agreeing to a smaller one.

Ø      The door-in-the-face-effect – agree to a small request after 1st shooting down a larger one.

Ø      The Low Ball Technique - get someone to agree & then reveal the hidden costs.

Ø      Bait & Switch - put at the bait, and when you get the people in, switch to a deal that's not so great.

 

Remember:  I reserve the right to modify, add, & delete information at any time.  This is intended for supplemental use ONLY.  It is not meant to take the place of your notes, class attendance, or reading your textbook.

 

As you can see, we are doing a truncated version of this chapter.  Additional information will be covered in class.