Week 9 discussion #2

This chapter had a lot of different types of information about technology and the types of communication that is associated with it. Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) based groups are affected by many things such as anonymity, group size and proximity of group members. There are many people who prefer to use F2F communication and some that like the convenience of CMC. The people who generally support the use of CMC is busy parents or those in the business world and many times shy people who can contribute more online than in person. For those people the anonymity of CMC helps them stay anonymous and hidden. The larger a group gets, the harder it can be keep them in line and hard to keep organized. Larger groups benefit from CMC because it can help them generate ideas and helps facilitate involvement of group members. Many would believe that being in close proximity of others would increase the bond of people but in CMC it makes people more conscious of their surroundings.

How does CMC differ from f2f communication? (Think outside the box).

Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) is the process by which people create, exchange, and perceive information using computers. This style of communication includes using technology to communicate with others using methods such as email, video messaging and texting. Face to Face communication is communication in real time and in person communication. The difference is the amount of time it takes to communicate and the vehicle we use to communicate. Many people prefer to have one over the other but they both are beneficial. Many people say that F2F communication is the “Golden Method” because not only is the method faster and straightforward it also is more personal. F2F communication also involves things that many forms of CMC cannot reproduce such as tone of voice, body language and other non-verbal communication. CMC I believe is becoming the most popular of the two because of convenience. Text messaging, email and video conferencing is the communication method of the future and we as SJSU students are apart of this realm. I personally prefer CMC in certain aspects of life compared to F2F. I work two jobs, take 18 units at SJSU and I also have two kids and time is not a friend of mine. If I have a client I need to speak to or a co-worker I need information from asap, I prefer to contact them electronically so that I am able to be mobile and stay busy without having to interupt my day. If I am meeting with a family or a potential client I prefer to meet in person because I will be able to show emotion and concern and be able to connect with them.

Week 8 Discussion part 3

Culture of listening

“Culture matters, and listening styles should be taken into account when working with a group.” This tiny portion of this chapter was very helpful because there are many helpful tidbits that are useful. One section that I specifically liked is that Americans are action oriented listeners compared to post-Soviet Union citizens who are less action oriented. As Americans we hear something we are told then we plan and make action. The problem I can see is that we may be so action oriented and may not plan as well as others. These are sort of things that are important in groups because they help people work together. In some countries age is a very important thing so even if you are not a vocal leader they will look to you for leadership. In some Asian and Indian cultures age is a sign of wisdom and they must be treated with respect and allowed to lead. Its the same with status and assigned roles in many cultures too. If I am in a work place and my boss asks me for advice or explanation about a project, I will look at him with a look of confusion and wonder. The reason is as a boss or leader you are assigned or paid as a leader and its your job to lead and not ask for advice.

Week 8 discussion part 2

Give a personal example where you have had selective attention. Why do you think that is? Is there a way you were able to overcome it?

For the most part I believe that when I do not want to hear information given to me I will let it go in one ear and out the other. I have a father who I believe likes to hear himself speak and oftentimes like to lecture me. I love my father but being 27 years old and having been out of his care for almost 10 years I like to believe I know what I am doing. He often preached to me about family, religion and other concerns he may have. The problem with me is that I am very independent and I believe that I am usually right. So when anyone tries to tell me otherwise I usually will choose not to pay attention. If I am listening to something I am interested in or need to hear then I will choose to be attentive. I don't see it as a problem, I mostly see it as a selective act that I have. if I want to hear or pay attention to something I will, if not then i will ignore it.

Week 8 Discussion part 1

1). Think of a recent situation in which you found listening difficult. Which one (or more) of the four phases presented the most difficulty for you? Why? How could this have been overcome?

You can say I am like most men since I never seem to listen. The part of listening that I have the most difficulty with is memory and short term memory to be exact. Relationships involve many things but the most important part of relationships is communication. my brain tells me to process the incoming messages and I decide to discard the information. The situation that this reminds me of is a fight I had with an ex-girlfriend of mine about how i never listen or pay attention. As she was talking I could feel myself forgetting everything she was saying as she said it. The yelling and drama involved in the fight was more bothersome to me than the actual fight. The most important tip I learned was to not allow myself not to become distracted by external or internal disruptions. If I would have had tips like this I may have been more successful in relationships.

Week 7 Discussion part 3

The non-verbal principle that came off as the most important was principle number two which states that a person's non-verbal communication will be believed more than their verbal. The reason is a person’s words may say one thing and their body language or use of certain gestures may state another thing. A person may state they are not angry and they may have their arms crossed and have a facial expression that states otherwise. Giving off mixed signals is a way that many messages get misunderstood and taken the wrong way. Non-verbal messages can be accepted versus verbal ones because your gestures and expressions are often subconscious and are done without knowing. That is why a person will believe a person is interested in them simply because they lean towards them or touch them in a certain way, no matter what they may say. This can also create confusion and misunderstanding because sometimes you dont mean to give off mixed signals and you do so without knowing and cause tension.

Week 7 Discussion part 2

Proxemics is the study of how people use space to communicate. The distances and the way we use space is an important component of communication. Some examples of space and its meaning could be sitting next to a person. If you were to sit very close you could either show attraction or the other person could take it as an invasion of space. On the other hand a person sitting too far could show un-attraction and the space given can be considered respectful. Chronemics is the study of how we use time to communicate. Time as a communication tool is usually used in task or work based situations. Time can give off many different ways such as having a meeting with someone and the meeting runs too long. In the eyes of the viewer the meeting may have been too long and could have wasted valuable time. If the meeting was to be too short then the viewer may see the presentation as not being completed and lack of preparation. Proxemics and Chronemics are both very important characteristics of non-verbal communication. Examples of distance in other cultures is in Asian cultures they follow the power distance ideology. The power distance is keeping a space between a person with power to show respect. In Indian cultures tasks are not done by time, they are done as they need to be done.

Week 7 Discussion part 1

The list of non-verbal principles are very important things to follow and pay attention to. Of the many principles I think that numbers three and five are some of the most important. Principle number three states “Both parties assign meaning, and sometimes different meaning, to nonverbal communication behaviors.” Many times people have intentional or unintentional non-verbal cues that either party assign a meaning to. Suppose one person tends to twirl their hair when they lie. A person would assume that those non-verbal cues are signs that a person is lying. The person might just do it because they are nervous but the other person might assume they are nervous. The other principle that states “Cultural norms and expectations guide our interpretation.” An example I ahve is with something we as Americans see as being respectful. Making eye contact is something we see as showing respect to people you greet. In Asian cultures eye contact is not often made because it shows dominance and subordination. This is something that can cause a disconnect if all parties are not aware.