Download Slide 1

Marriage and Family Life
Unit 1: Communicating With Others
Objective 1: Identify the definition of
communication.
• Communication is the process of conveying
thoughts, feelings, and information in such a
way that the message is received and
understood by verbal or nonverbal means.
Objective 2: Identify communication
uses.
•
•
•
•
•
•
To socialize
To build and strengthen relationships
To exchange information and knowledge
To persuade or motivate someone
To resolve problems and issues
To share feelings
Objective 3: Identify methods of
communication.
•
•
•
•
•
Personal contact
Telephone (land line)
Cell phone
E-mail
Fax
• Video messaging/
videoconference
• Text messaging
• Instant messaging
• Voice mail
• Written letter
Objective 4: Identify factors that affect
communication.
• Culture and custom
– Gender roles
– Gestures and body
language
– Protocol
– Tone of voice
• Topics
• Gender
• Physical and
psychological conditions
• Group membership
– Language
– Nationality
– Religion
• Social circumstances
– Event type (formal or
informal)
– Relationship (between
sender and receiver)
Objective 5: Distinguish between
verbal and nonverbal methods of
communication.
• Verbal
communication
– Listening
– Reading
– Speaking
– Writing
• Nonverbal
communication
– Appearance
– Body language
– Personal space
– Silence
Objective 6: Distinguish between the
levels of communication.
•
•
•
•
•
Level 5: Casual conversation
Level 4: Reporting information
Level 3: Giving opinions
Level 2: Telling feelings
Level 1: Sharing emotions
Objective 7: Discuss ethics in
communication.
• Communication can be unethical if the
information is wrong or misleading.
• Communication can be unethical if it does not
occur at the appropriate time and place.
• Communication can be unethical if the
information does not need to be shared, and
sharing it will hurt someone.
Objective 8: Identify common barriers
to communication.
• Failing to see a person as an individual and/or
lack of understanding of other cultures
• Failing to listen
• Allowing emotions to affect communication
• Having a “closed” mind
• Using clichés, automatic responses and
colloquialisms
• Allowing interruptions
Objective 8: Identify common barriers
to communication.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Having low self-esteem and confidence
Using a specific and limited vocabulary
Assuming knowledge
Being prejudiced
Falling back on teachings from childhood
Not hearing the message clearly
Sending mixed messages
Noise
Objective 9: Identify the importance of
message context.
• Selective listeners tend to pick out only part of
what the speaker is saying. Partial information
can be misleading.
• Verbal and nonverbal messages may be
misinterpreted if taken out of context.
• Angry or defensive listeners may read an
unintended meaning into what is being said.
• “Closed-minded” listeners may hear only what
they want to hear and may misinterpret the
message.
Objective 10: Interpret the impact of
context on messages.
Objective 11: Differentiate in the
descriptive characteristics of Imessages, we-messages and youmessages.
I-messages
• Reflect what the speaker thinks or feels
• Give facts about the speaker
• Give the speaker responsibility and control over
communication
• Use during confrontational topics to create more positive
responses
• States how the speaker reacts to the actions of others
• Are non-threatening
• Requires practice in using them successfully
Objective 11: Differentiate in the
descriptive characteristics of Imessages, we-messages and youmessages.
We-messages
• Improve communication
• Are non-threatening
• Generate positive responses
• Define a problem of mutual concern to all
involved and give everyone equal responsibility
Objective 11: Differentiate in the
descriptive characteristics of Imessages, we-messages and youmessages.
You-messages
• Blame, judge or accuse another person of an
action
• Easy to use when you are mad or hurt
• Give challenging or even threatening messages
• Usually close communication channels
Objective 12: Interpret scenarios using
I-messages, we-messages and youmessages.
Objective 13: Distinguish between
active and passive listening.
Active listening
• Show the speaker you are paying attention
• Do not dominate the conversation.
• Maintain eye contact with the speaker.
• Encourage further communication.
• Show interest and respect.
• Stay focused on what is being said and keep the
conversation on what the speaker is sharing.
• Provide feedback.
• Don’t finish the speaker’s sentence.
• Plan your response after the speaker’s remarks.
Objective 13: Distinguish between
active and passive listening.
Passive listening
• Do not listen effectively.
• Offer no feedback that you heard or understood
the message.
• Give the sender the impression that you are not
interested.
• Discourage further communication
• Show that you are preoccupied with your own
thoughts
Objective 14: Complete a listening
activity.
Objective 15: Identify the purposes of
feedback.
•
•
•
•
•
Clarify a message
Encourage the speaker to keep talking
Evaluate or judge a person’s comment
Paraphrase what the other person has said
Gain more information
Objective 16: Select guidelines for
improving communication.
• Use I-messages or we-messages rather than youmessages
• Choose an appropriate time for communicating
• Build trust
• Use language the listener can understand
• Do not be sarcastic or critical
• Be attentive
• Be interested
Objective 16: Select guidelines for
improving communication.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Be patient
Focus on the message
Keep an “open” mind
Ask questions
Be aware of multiple meanings
Pay attention of tone of voice
Be aware of body language
Be empathetic
Objective 16: Select guidelines for
improving communication.
• Accept that the speaker’s point of view might
not be the same as yours
• Give feedback
• Make use of repetition
• Understand that each person communicates
differently
• Know when to drop the issue
Objective 17: Identify skills for
communicating with children.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Position yourself at the child’s eye level
Use vocabulary that a child will understand
Keep the message simple
Try to eliminate distractions
Listen to what the child is saying
Respect the child’s feelings
Objective 18: Evaluate opinions about
the role of communication in
relationships.
Objective 19: Record a
“communication log” for assessing
effectiveness/skills.
Objective 20: Write a note of
acknowledgement.