Saturday, May 25, 2013

Cultural Diversity



       When one is sensitive and mindful, one can realize that cultural diversity is pervasive in every corner, across and within societies and families.  It is a reality and we need to learn to address these differences, particular as we communicate with people who are different from us culturally.

       Communication basically takes place through language, nonverbal behaviors, and listening (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012).  Different cultural people use different languages and nonverbal behaviors to communicate.  Therefore, when communicating with others that are different in culture, we need to use language and nonverbal behaviors that are appropriate and can be understood by these people.  For example, as we communicate with elderly people, particularly those who are less educated, the words that we use have to be simple and straightforward, containing no word of jargon.  Additionally, we have to speak relatively slow with some nonverbal cues, such as repeating and complementing, to reinforce our verbal messages, in order to communicate effectively. 

       Three strategies that I will use for effective communication with people that are different with me culturally:
1.    Understand their deep culture, such as their worldview, values, beliefs, and practices, in order to fully understand their communication behaviors.
2.    Aware of my own patterns of behavior in communication, so that I am prepared to accept others who might have different patterns of behavior, hence, avoiding me to be bias and prejudice against others (Gonzalez-Mena, 2010).
3.    Be other-oriented, applying the Platinum Rule, “Do to others as they themselves would like to be treated”.  By doing so, others will feel comfortable to communicate with me

References:
Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2010). 50 strategies for communicating and working with diverse families. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.


Saturday, May 18, 2013

About Communication Skills



       Our textbook informed us that communication is the process by which we use symbols, signs, and behaviors to exchange information.  The tools we use to communicate are language, nonverbal behaviors, and listening.  These tools when being used together promote and foster effective communication.  However, if only one of these tools is applied, our communication is severely affected. 

      For example, we hardly understand one’s feeling and expressing by looking at one’s nonverbal behavior, i.e., his gestures, eye behavior, and facial expressions.  No doubt, nonverbal behavior is communicative, but can be very ambiguous.  Unless you know the situational context well, you hardly can pick up clues from the nonverbal behavior.  For example, I was watching a show about lying with the sound turned off; I could not detect which ones were liars by just basing on their gestures and body movements.  The one who avoid making eye contact and blink frequently, or the other one who looks relaxed and controlled?  My schemas tell me that one that has awkward body movements is more suspicious, and can be considered a liar.  But, O’Hair and Wiemann (2012) remarked, “competent communicators must think beyond schemas when determining the meaning of nonverbal communication” (p. 129).  In fact, I was wrong as the show later revealed to me that the one who looked calmed and stable was a true liar!

Reference:
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York:  Bedford/St. Martin's.


Saturday, May 11, 2013

A Competent Communicator



         Talking about someone who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context, I could think of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.  In one specific situation, his effective skills of ethical communication was fully displayed. 

         The Bible records (in the book of John, chapter 8) the incident where a woman was caught in adultery and was brought to Jesus.  The Pharisees made her stand before the crowd and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.  Now what do you say?” 

         According to the Bible, Jesus did not answer the question immediately; instead he bent down and wrote something on the ground.  When they kept on asking him, he stood up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone on her.”  After saying, he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

         Having heard what Jesus has said, the crowd began to go away one at a time, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.  Jesus stood up and asked her, “Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemn you?”  “No one, sir,” she replied.  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.  “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

         What a touching story!  Through his skills of communication, Jesus stopped the crowd to inflict discrimination, degrading, intimidating, exploitative, physical harmful practices on the woman.  Instead, he demonstrated and promoted the spirit of forgiving, fairness and justice.  Jesus has provided a model for us to follow, as far as ethical communication is concerned.