The assignment is at the end.
Value 1: Equalizing Power
Some relationships function successfully with an uneven distribution of power (e.g., parent-child, mentor-protégé, employer-employee), although abuses of power exist within these relationships as well as within other types. However, when an imbalance of power isn't necessarily societally induced or an appropriate expectation for a relationship, such as in marriage, dating and romantic relationships, work relationships, or friendships, an ideal or goal to work toward is an even distribution of power or control. Empowerment-power to rather than power over-involves a shared approach to power or control that capitalizes on the strengths of each relational partner (Bate &Bowker, 1997; Darlington)
Value 2: Talking to Make It Better
We profoundly believe in the power of communication to help solve the problems we face. You've probably all heard or read news reports of people who have difficulty verbally expressing anger and frustration and who wind up using physical violence as a means of solving problems. Granted, not all problems can be solved through communication; in some instances, time is needed and talk may only make things worse. But in most situations, talking it over is absolutely critical to effectiveness in relationships. The willingness and ability to sit down and talk about the topic at hand, the relationship, each other's feelings, and possible solutions to problems are critical to personal effectiveness.
Value 3: Confirming and Accepting
Research suggests that a basic dimension within every communication situation is the feeling of acceptance or rejection (Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond, 2005; Cissna, Garvin, & Kennedy, 1990; Sieburg, 1969). When we talk with someone, we can go away saying, "That person accepted me and what I had to say," or we can experience rejection or indifference. The communication of confirmation is a very important part of establishing satisfying relationships, since relationships don't progress if someone feels rejected.
Value 4: Believing in Freedom of Choice
When we talk about becoming more personally effective and developing more successful relationships, we include the possibility that you will influence or persuade someone else. With that possibility comes more responsibility. A value we hold central to this process is the freedom of the other person to choose his or her own line of action. People often manipulate the emotions of their partners to get what they want, which restricts the partner's freedom to choose. While the information in this text may help you become more persuasive in your relationships, you should use these skills in a manner that respects the right of each person to choose her or his own response to persuasive attempts.
Value 5: Being Open-Minded and Willing to Change
Have you ever talked with persons who are completely closed-minded? It's frustrating, and frequently we have a reaction like, "Oh, what's the use? They'll never change their minds anyway, so there's no point in even talking." That's not a desirable reaction in effective communication. In connection with Value 4, a basic dimension of personal effectiveness is the belief on the part of other people that we are open to influence and change. In a relationship, the more each person believes that the other person can be influenced, the more they are both likely to communicate. So it's important to be open to persuasion. We don't suggest that you believe everything people tell you or do everything people ask of you, but if there is sufficient cause, it's okay to change your mind. Open-mindedness and the ability to change are positive values for all relationships.
Value 6: Treating Another Person as an Individual
Stereotyping is hard to avoid. Can you imagine starting from scratch with every person you meet, meaning that you can't use past experiences to clue you in as to what to expect? Consider for a minute how you expect college professors to do certain things when they walk into a classroom. You expect salespersons to behave in certain ways when you enter a store. In some ways, stereotypes help reduce our uncertainty and increase our ability to predict what will happen. But sometimes those stereotypes seriously limit the range of possibilities. For example, what if you applied an inaccurate stereotype to a person from another culture, only to discover that you misjudged the person and possibly lost out on a unique friendship?
Get even more specific: In your relationships, should you stereotype women and men based on their sex? We suggest not-not just because there are so many differences between people, but because no one likes to be treated as a stereotype. A man doesn't like to be told that he is just another unfeeling, inexpressive male. No woman likes to be told that "all women are too emotional." No one likes to be told that "you are just like everyone else." In the first place, we are all different and our differences need to be recognized and celebrated. Second, actions based on stereotypes do nothing to advance relationships. And third, stereotypes can negatively affect someone's self-esteem. When possible, treat people as individuals, not categories.
THIS IS THE ASSIGNMENT
In this assignment, you will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your communication based on your personal perceptions and the perceptions others have of you. Personal effectiveness begins with you and also includes views others may have of you as an individual. You will go beyond your personal viewpoint and seek feedback from others in order to achieve a more accurate understanding of self.
To prepare for this discussion, research effective communication using your textbook readings and the Argosy University online library resources. Reflect on your personal effectiveness as a communicator, and then interview two to four people to find out how others perceive your communication. Be ready for a discussion based on the following questions.
• Define what you consider to be your strengths as a communicator. My strengths as I see them are talking, listening, empathy,problem solving and solutions .
• Discuss what you consider to be some important areas for improvement in your communication. (Listening better and not jumping to an answer, or solution too quick, let others come to their own answers, sometimes overly opinionated)
• Explain how different your personal perceptions of your strengths and weaknesses are compared to the perceptions others have of you.I think others may see me as overly direct, or the opposite, too quiet and may misperceive that as easy or a push over. Distinguish what changes, if any, you would like to make in your communication style.Assertiveness and not being insecure.
• How effective do you think you are when communicating with those of a different gender? Different culture?
• Formulate a plan as to how to improve your communication abilities and effectiveness with people different than yourself.
Just do you best using what I've said about myself and maybe some similar qualities you have.
4 Paragraphs should be good, or just answer each question using citings from the book, and other on-line reseach. I'm female, 51, middle class culture, Caucasian, live in Colorado, from the Midwest growing up.
All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.