Page 334 - Essentials of Human Communication

Glossary 313

encounter group. Often referred to as a sensitivity or T (3) acknowledge your regret for what you did, (4) request
[Training]-group, this type of group constitutes a form of forgiveness, and (5) make it clear that this will never
psychotherapy; these groups try to facilitate members’ happen again.
personal growth and to foster their ability to deal effec- expectancy violations theory. A theory of proxemics hold-
tively with other people. ing that people have certain expectations for spatial rela-
enculturation. The process by which culture is transmitted tionships. If those expectations are violated (e.g., if a
from one generation to another. stranger stands too close to you or a romantic partner
e-prime. A form of the language that omits the verb “to be” ex- maintains an abnormally large distance from you), the
cept as an auxiliary or in statements of existence. E-prime relationship comes into clearer focus and you wonder
is designed to eliminate the tendency toward projection. why this “normal distance” is being violated.
When you feel that you may be overgeneralizing or making experiential limitation. The limit of an individual’s ability to
assumptions about all from only a few instances, try think- communicate, as set by the nature and extent of that indi-
ing in e-prime by eliminating the verb to be. vidual’s experiences.
equality. An attitude that recognizes that each individual in a expert power. Personal power derived from expertise or
communication interaction is equal, that no one is supe- knowledge.
rior to any other; encourages supportiveness. expressiveness. Genuine involvement in speaking and listen-
equilibrium theory. A theory of proxemics holding that ing, conveyed verbally and nonverbally; a component of
intimacy and physical closeness are positively related; interpersonal effectiveness. Communicate active involve-
as a relationship becomes more intimate, the distances ment in the interaction: Use active listening, address
between the individuals will diminish. mixed messages, use I-messages, and use appropriate
equity theory. A theory claiming that you experience relational variations in paralanguage and gesture.
satisfaction when there is an equal distribution of rewards extemporaneous speech. A speech that is thoroughly pre-
and costs between the two persons in the relationship. pared and organized in detail and in which certain as-
eros love. One of Lee’s (1976) six types of love; seeks beauty pects of style are predetermined.
and sensuality and focuses on physical attractiveness. extensional device. A linguistic device proposed by Alfred
et cetera or etc. An extensional device used to emphasize the Korzybski to make language a more accurate means for
notion of infinite complexity; because we can never know talking about the world. The extensional devices include
all about anything, any statement about the world or an et cetera, date, and index (i.e., the working devices) and
event must end with an explicit or implicit “etc.” Finish the hyphen and quotes (i.e., the safety devices). Think
your thoughts with etc.—that is, be mindful that there is mindfully with these devices.
always more to say, see, hear, etc. extensional orientation. A tendency to give primary consid-
ethics. The branch of philosophy that deals with the rightness eration to the world of experience and only secondary
or wrongness of actions; the study of moral values. consideration to labels. Look first to the event, the person,
ethnic identity. Commitment to the beliefs and customs of a or the situation and only then to the way it’s talked about.
culture. Contrast intensional orientation.
ethnocentrism. The tendency to see others and their behaviors
through our own cultural filters, often as distortions of our
own behaviors; the tendency to evaluate the values and be- face-attacking conflict strategies. Strategies that attack a per-
liefs of our own culture more positively than those of an- son’s positive face or self-esteem or a person’s negative
other culture. Recognizing our own ethnocentrism may help face or need for autonomy and independence. Avoid
to prevent evaluating different cultural practices negatively. these.
etymology. The historical or linguistic development of a word face-enhancing conflict strategies. Strategies that support
or phrase and often a useful way to help define a word. and confirm a person’s positive face or self-esteem or a
euphemism. A polite word or phrase used to substitute for person’s negative face or need for autonomy. Use these
some taboo or otherwise offensive term. when appropriate.
example. A relatively brief specific instance. face-saving. Maintaining a positive public self-image in the
excluding talk. Speaking about a subject or in a vocabulary minds of others. During a conflict, use face-saving strate-
that only certain people understand, often in the presence gies to allow your opponent to save face; avoid beltlining,
of someone who does not belong to this group and there- or hitting your opponent with attacks that he or she will
fore does not understand; use of terms unique to a spe- have difficulty absorbing and will resent.
cific culture as if they were universal. facial feedback hypothesis. The theory that a person’s facial
excuse. An explanation designed to lessen the negative conse- expressions can produce physiological and emotional ef-
quences of something done or said. When using excuses— fects in the person.
for example, to repair a misunderstood conversation— facial management techniques. Techniques used to mask
remember to do five things: (1) demonstrate that you certain emotions and to emphasize others: for example,
understand the problem, (2) acknowledge your responsibility, intensifying your expression of happiness to make a