Lesson 1 (Communication Principles) PDF

## Communication Principles ### Communication is integrated **Academic** Research shows that even people who have poor communication skills can improve a wide range of verbal, nonverbal, and interpersonal communication skills by taking introductory communication courses (Zabava & Wolvin, 1993)....

## Communication Principles ### Communication is integrated **Academic** Research shows that even people who have poor communication skills can improve a wide range of verbal, nonverbal, and interpersonal communication skills by taking introductory communication courses (Zabava & Wolvin, 1993). **Professional** The National Association of Colleges and Employers has found that employers most desire good communication skills in the college graduates they may hire (National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2010). Employers appreciate good listening skills and the ability to communicate concisely because efficiency and clarity are often directly tied to productivity and success in terms of profit or task/project completion. **Personal** - Learn specific vocabulary and develop foundational knowledge of communication concepts and theories. - Having a vocabulary to name the communication phenomena in our lives increases our ability to consciously alter our communication to achieve our goals, avoid miscommunication **Civic** Civic engagement refers to working to make a difference in our communities by improving the quality of life of community members; raising awareness about social, cultural, or political issues; or participating in a wide variety of political and nonpolitical processes (Ehrlich, 2000). ### Communication Meets Needs **Physical Needs** Physical needs include needs that keep our bodies and minds functioning. Human beings are social creatures, which makes communication important for our survival. In fact, prolonged isolation has been shown to severely damage a human (Williams & Zadro, 2001). People with good interpersonal communication skills are better able to adapt to stress and have less depression and anxiety (Hargie, 2011). Communication can also be therapeutic, which can lessen or prevent physical problems. A research study found that spouses of suicide or accidental death victims who did not communicate about the death with their friends were more likely to have health problems such as weight change and headaches than those who did talk with friends (Greene, Derlega, & Mathews, 2006). **Instrumental Needs** Instrumental needs include needs that help us get things done in our day-to-day lives and achieve short- and long-term goals. ...common instrumental needs include influencing others, getting information we need, or getting support (Burleson, Metts, & Kirch, 2000). There is a research area within communication that examines compliance-gaining communication, or communication aimed at getting people to do something or act in a particular way (Gass & Seiter, 1999). Researchers have identified many tactics that people typically use in compliance-gaining communication (Gass & Seiter, 1999). **Common Tactics Used for Compliance Gaining** 1. **Offering rewards**. Seeks compliance in a positive way, by promising returns, rewards, or generally positive outcomes. 2. **Threatening punishment**. Seeks compliance in a negative way, by threatening negative consequences such as loss of privileges, grounding, or legal action. 3. **Using expertise**. Seeks compliance by implying that one person “knows better” than the other based on experience, age, education, or intelligence.