Questions and Answers
What does Communication Accommodation Theory consider?
It considers the underlying motivations and consequences of what happens when two speakers shift their communication styles.
What are the two main ways to accommodate in Communication Accommodation Theory?
Divergence and convergence.
What does Finn describe as a key aspect of Communication Accommodation Theory?
Adjusting, modifying, or regulating behavior in response to others.
What are some assumptions of Communication Accommodation Theory?
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Which discipline influenced Howard Giles in developing Communication Accommodation Theory?
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What principle of Communication Accommodation Theory is adopted when believing teenagers don't understand older adults?
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___________ is the process of attending to and interpreting a message, whereas ___________ is the process of judging a conversation.
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What are the expectations of behaviors in a conversation called?
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What is it called when Roger adapts his speech to match Sasha?
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What is another word for disassociation in Communication Accommodation Theory?
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A person engaging in ___________ overaccommodation overly adapts to another person's perceived limitations.
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What determines our evaluation of a conversation according to Communication Accommodation Theory?
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A person engaging in ___________ overaccommodation fails to recognize the uniqueness of communicators.
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Which of the following is NOT a reason an individual may engage in divergence, according to Communication Accommodation Theory?
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Study Notes
Communication Accommodation Theory Overview
- Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), developed by Howard Giles, examines how speakers adjust their communication styles during interactions.
- Two primary strategies are identified: convergence (adapting style for social approval) and divergence (maintaining unique identity).
- Groups with strong ethnic or racial identities often exhibit divergence to emphasize group identity.
Definitions and Principles
- Accommodation involves modifying behavior in response to others' communication styles.
- Perception is how messages are interpreted, while evaluation is the judgment made about a conversation.
- Norms are the unwritten rules guiding conversational behavior and expectations.
Key Assumptions
- Conversations contain both similarities and differences that affect communication.
- Individual perception of others' speech and behavior influences conversational evaluations.
- Language and behavior are indicators of a speaker's status and group association.
- Appropriateness of accommodation can vary based on situational context.
Influences and Theoretical Foundations
- Giles' work is rooted in Social Identity Theory, which is part of social psychology.
- Group-based expectations shape how individuals perceive intergenerational communication, such as teenagers misunderstanding older adults.
Types of Accommodation
- Convergence occurs when an individual matches the speech patterns of another, such as adapting speech rate and body language.
- Divergence, also known as disassociation, highlights differences in communication, often used intentionally by speakers wishing to create distance.
- Overaccommodation can manifest in sensory adaptation (excessively adjusting for perceived limitations) and intergroup overaccommodation (oversimplifying communication without recognizing individual uniqueness).
Important Clarifications
- Not engaging in divergence could arise from the desire to appear similar to the listener, contradicting the assumption in CAT.
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Description
This quiz explores Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) developed by Howard Giles. It covers key concepts such as convergence and divergence in communication styles, and the influence of ethnic or racial identities on conversational dynamics. Test your understanding of how accommodation impacts interactions and communication norms.
