Speech v15- Chapter 6

Theory that members of a society are bound together through common use of symbols.

links how our common understanding of symbols to form interpersonal relationships

The study of words and meaning

Words are symbols. Therefore, thought that we have turn into symbols, and those symbols lead to a thing that symbol represents (referent). Or, the thought becomes a referent that leads to a certain symbol or word.

Words depend on the culture at hand. One word may mean one thing to another culture, but something completely different with another culture.

words taken out of context can change its meaning. Therefore, you need to know the context of the phrase in order to tell its specific meaning.

word, sound or visual device that represents an image, sound concept or experience

thing that a symbol represents

mental process of creating an image, sound, concept or experience triggered by a referent or symbol.

Words either have denotative meaning (words are in its literal form) or it has connotative meaning (it has personal and subjective meaning).

Words are concrete if it can experience its referent with one of the senses; if it can be seen, touched, smelled, tasted, or heard.

Words are abstract if you cannot do the above statement with the referent; it can be more highly subjective.

Words:
-have the power to create
-power to affect thoughts and actions
-power to affect and reflect culture
-power to affect quality of interpersonal relationships.

Bypassing

Lack of Clarity

Allness

Static evaluation

polarization

biased language

Bypassing is a confusion caused by the same words meaning different things to different people.

Use listening and responding skills. Ask questions if uncertain about the meaning. Listen and paraphrase your understanding of the message.

Inappropriate or imprecise use of words.

Be as clear as you possibly can.

Confusion of one word or phrase for another that sounds similar to it.

set of words that have particular meaning to a person, group or culture.

another name for restricted code; specialized terms or abbreviations whose meanings are known only to members on a specific group.

Tendency to lump things or people into all encompassing categories.

Indexing your comments and remarks. Remind yourself that your use and interpretation of a word is unique.

avoiding generalizations by using statements that separate one situation, person or example from another.

pronouncement that does not take the possibility of change into consideration.

Dating observations and indicate to others time period to which you are drawing your conclusion.

Polarization is the description and evaluation of what you observe in terms of extremes such as good or bad, old or new, beautiful or ugly.

Dont do it! recognize that there is a grey area on all things.

Language that reflects gender, racial, ethnic, age, ability, or class biases.

Be mindful when speaking. Avoid using labels or derogatory terms.

Describe your own feelings, rather than evaluate the behavior of others.

Solve problems rather than try to control others.

Be genuine rather than manipulative.

Empathize rather than remain detached from others.

be flexible rather than rigid towards others.

present yourself as equal rather than superior.

Describe

Disclose

identify effects

wait

use reflective listening skills:
-question
-paraphrase content
- paraphrase feelings