Page 329 - Essentials of Human Communication

Glossary

Definitions of the technical terms of human communication—the words that are peculiar or
unique to this discipline—are presented here along with relevant skills where applicable (in
italic). These definitions and skill statements should make new or difficult terms a bit easier
to understand and should serve as reminders of the skills discussed throughout this text. All
boldface terms within the definitions appear as separate entries in the glossary.

ableism. Discrimination against people with disabilities. Use agenda. A list of the items that a small group must deal with
person-first language; put the person first and the disability in the order in which they should be covered. As a leader
second, not “the blind boy” but “the boy who is blind . . .” or member, keep focused on the agenda.
abstraction. A general concept derived from a class of ob- aggressiveness. See verbal aggressiveness.
jects; a part representation of some whole. Also, the qual- allness. The assumption that all can be known or is known
ity of being abstract. Use both abstract and specific terms about a given person, issue, object, or event. Avoid allness
when describing or explaining. statements (for example, statements containing such words
abstraction process. The process by which a general concept as all, never, or always); they invariably misstate the real-
is derived from specifics; the process by which some ity and will often offend the other person.
(never all) characteristics of an object, person, or event alter-adaptors. Body movements you make in response to
are perceived by the senses or included in some term, your current interactions, such as crossing your arms over
phrase, or sentence. your chest when someone unpleasant approaches or mov-
accent. The stress or emphasis placed on a syllable when it is ing closer to someone you like.
pronounced. altercasting. Placing a listener in a specific role for a specific
accommodation. The process of adjusting your communica- purpose and asking that person to approach the question
tion patterns to those with whom you’re interacting. or problem from the perspective of this specific role.
Accommodate to the speaking style of your listeners in ambiguity. The condition in which a message can be inter-
moderation; too much mirroring of the other’s style may preted as having more than one meaning. Recognize that all
appear manipulative. messages are potentially ambiguous, so clarify as necessary.
acculturation. The processes by which a person’s culture is amount of change principle. A principle of persuasion stating
modified or changed through contact with or exposure to that the greater and more important the change desired by
another culture. the speaker, the more difficult its achievement will be.
active listening. The process of putting together into some amplification. See supporting materials.
meaningful whole an understanding of a speaker’s total analogy (reasoning from). A type of reasoning in which you
message—the verbal and the nonverbal, the content and the compare similar things and conclude that, because they
feelings. If you wish to listen actively, paraphrase the are alike in so many respects, they also must be alike in
speaker’s meaning, express understanding of the speaker’s some other respect.
feelings, and ask questions when you need something anger management. The methods and techniques by which
clarified. anger is controlled and managed. Calm down as best you
adaptors. Nonverbal behaviors that satisfy some personal need can; then consider your communication options and the
and usually occur without awareness, such as scratching to relevant communication skills for expressing your feelings.
relieve an itch or moistening your lips to relieve dryness. apology. Expressions of regret or sorrow for having done
Three types of adaptors are often distinguished: self- what you did or for what happened.
adaptors, alter-adaptors, and object-adaptors. appeals to authority. A fallacy of reasoning in which some-
adjustment (principle of). The principle of verbal interaction one is passed off as an authority when the person logi-
claiming that communication takes place only to the cally has little authority, expertise, or knowledge in the
extent that the parties communicating share the same sys- subject under discussion. Ask for evidence.
tem of signals. appeals to numbers. An appeal in which the speaker argues
advice. Messages that tell another person what he or she that truth is determined by popularity.
should do. apprehension. See communication apprehension.
affect displays. Movements of the facial area that convey arbitrariness. A feature of human language; the absence of a
emotional meaning—for example, anger, fear, or surprise. real or inherent relationship between the form of a word
affinity-seeking strategies. Behaviors designed to increase and its meaning.
interpersonal attractiveness. Use in moderation. argument. The presentation of evidence (for example, facts
affirmation. The communication of support and approval. or statistics) and a conclusion drawn from the evidence.
agapic love. One of Lee’s (1976) six types of love; compas- argumentativeness. A willingness to speak your mind, to argue
sionate and selfless love offered without concern for per- for a point of view. In conflict, avoid attacking the other per-
sonal reward and without any expectation of reciprocation. son’s self-concept. Instead, focus logically on the issues,
ageism. Discrimination based on age. Avoid it. emphasize finding solutions, and work to ensure that what is

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