Page 333 - Essentials of Human Communication

312 Glossary

decoding. The process of extracting a message from a code— invariably contributes to communication barriers. Con-
for example, translating speech sounds into nerve im- trast confirmation.
pulses. See also encoding. dissolution. The breaking of the bonds holding an interper-
defensiveness. The self-protective attitude of an individual or sonal relationship together.
an atmosphere in a group characterized by threats, fear, downward communication. Communication sent from the
and domination. Messages evidencing evaluation, control, higher levels of a hierarchy to the lower levels—for exam-
strategy, neutrality, superiority, and certainty are assumed ple, messages sent by managers to workers or from deans
to lead to defensiveness. Contrast supportiveness. to faculty members.
delivery outline. The outline a speaker brings to a public dyadic communication. Two-person communication.
speaking situation and refers to during the speech. dyadic consciousness. An awareness of the interpersonal
Delphi method. A type of group whose members are experts relationship in a pairing or between two individuals; dis-
but there’s no interaction among them; instead, they com- tinguished from situations in which two individuals are
municate by repeatedly responding to questionnaires. together but do not perceive themselves as being a unit or
democratic leader. A group leader who stimulates self- twosome.
direction and self-actualization of the group members. dyadic effect. The process by which one person in a dyad, or
denial. One of the obstacles to the expression of emotion; the two-person group, imitates the behavior of the other per-
process by which we deny our emotions to ourselves or to son. Usually refers to the tendency of one person’s self-
others. Become mindful of the reasons for denial and the disclosures to prompt the other also to self-disclose. Pay
negative impact this generally has on communication. attention to the dyadic effect; it may indicate the other per-
denotation. The objective or descriptive meaning of a word; son’s degree of involvement in the conversation.
its referential meaning. Contrast connotation.
depenetration. A reversal of penetration; a condition in
which the breadth and depth of a relationship decrease. earmarker. A marker that identifies an item as belonging to a
See also social penetration theory. specific person—for example, a nameplate on a desk or
depth. The degree to which the inner personality—the inner initials on an attaché case. Use earmarkers with a consid-
core of an individual—is penetrated in interpersonal eration for the rights of others as well as your own.
interaction. effect. The outcome or consequence of an action or behavior;
deterioration. A stage in an interpersonal relationship in communication is assumed always to have some effect.
which the bonds holding the individuals together are emblems. Nonverbal behaviors that directly translate words
weakened and the partners begin drifting apart. or phrases—for example, the signs for “OK” and “peace.”
determinism (principle of). The principle of verbal interac- Use these with an awareness of the great cultural differ-
tion holding that all verbalizations are to some extent ences in the meanings given to various emblems.
purposeful—that there is a reason for every verbalization. emergent leader. A leader who is not appointed and instead
dialogue. A form of communication in which each person is “emerges” during the group process.
both speaker and listener; communication characterized emoticon. A visual symbol to indicate an emotion.
by involvement, concern, and respect for the other per- emotions. The feelings you have—for example, joy, guilt, an-
son. Treat conversation as a dialogue rather than a mono- ger, or sorrow. Express your emotions and interpret the
logue; show concern for the other person, and for the emotions of others in light of the cultural rules dictating
relationship between you, with other-orientation. Contrast what is and is not appropriate emotional expression.
monologue. empathy. The ability to feel what another person feels; feeling
direct speech. Speech in which the speaker’s intentions are or perceiving something from another person’s point of
stated clearly and directly. view. A key component of interpersonal effectiveness.
disclaimer. A statement that asks the listener to receive what Communicate empathy when appropriate: resist evaluating
the speaker says as intended without its reflecting nega- another person’s behaviors, focus concentration on the per-
tively on the image of the speaker. Preface your comments son, express active involvement through facial expressions
with disclaimers if you feel you might be misunderstood. and gestures, reflect back the feelings you think are being ex-
But avoid disclaimers when they aren’t necessary; too pressed, self-disclose, and address any mixed messages.
many disclaimers can make you appear unprepared or encoder. Something that takes a message in one form (for ex-
unwilling to state an opinion. ample, nerve impulses) and translates it into another
disclaiming. A form of feedforward in which you ask listeners form (for example, sound waves). In human communica-
to hear you favorably and without bias. tion, the encoder is the speaking mechanism; in elec-
disconfirmation. A communication pattern in which some- tronic communication, the encoder is, for example, the
one ignores a person or that person’s messages, even telephone mouthpiece. See also decoder.
denying the right of the individual to define himself or encoding. The process of putting a message into a code—for
herself. Avoid sexist, heterosexist, racist, and ageist lan- example, translating nerve impulses into speech sounds.
guage; such language is disconfirming and insulting and See also decoding.