Kaitlyn Graham

11/27/2017

DP #12 What should a communicator do?

Summary

This chapter was the nice conclusion to the entire book that introduced theory after theory in an
organized fashion. The chapter states that throughout the entire book we were introduced (probably
not for the first time) to 36 different theories, all of which are summarized into 14 different variables
commonly shared in communication theories. Reminding us at the beginning of the chapter that a good
communicator means being both appropriate and effective with your communication, the chapter first
makes conclusions about communication before introducing the idea of communication being
summarized into the influences and effects of all theories. According to the chapter, the 14 variables
that all communication theories can fall into can both influence our communication, as well as affect
how communication will impact the receiver. The chapter splits communication theories into 14 groups,
including: cohesion, context, expectations, face and self-versus other, individual qualities, interest and
involvement, needs, power and control, relationships, rewards, rules, social networks, uncertainty and
ambiguity, and values and beliefs. Theories fall into multiple of these categories, and there could be
more categories than the ones given, but those the chapter chose are very conclusive of the book and
the chapters discussed. A couple of examples the chapter discusses are things like context, which
influences how you communicate to someone (using slang with friends versus professional language at
work), but also can influence how a message receiver interprets what you are sending (a stranger you
bump into in a rush on the sidewalk versus someone you bump into at a club). The chapter made the
same sort of comparisons and gave the same types of examples for the other variables as well. The
chapter finished by summarizing the different theories as how they related to communication
competence. Your motivation, knowledge, and skill are the most important parts of learning the
communication theories and properly communicating, and as the chapter said, completing this course
and reading this book at the first steps.

Application

This chapter was summary of the entire book, but it almost made me nostalgic in the sense that it felt
like a summary chapter of my study of communication. By relating all the theories to each other, it felt
like the reasoning for us learning all the theories was made clear. Every theory relates to a specific
moment of communication you will have, and even if you dont remember the theory specifically when
you are communicating, knowing the theories will help you rationalize and understand those around
you. The chapter said multiple times that job satisfaction is increased when both the boss and
employees have strong communication skills. This makes work life more relaxed, and also shows how
everyone should be required to take some sort of communication class at some point in their life. If
every major at Bryant learned about the rewards variable of communication and how different theories
relate to how individuals communication is motivated by the rewards and power they perceive they will
get, then maybe everyone at Bryant would understand each other more, and realize that we all are
heading towards the same goals. The chart of all 14 variables and which theories are associated with
them was very helpful for me to summarize the theories, and is definitely something I think I will
photocopy and keep with me in the future.
Questions

1) What are the differences between the individual qualities factor described on page 221 and
the values and beliefs factor described later on?
2) Do you as a communicator think you have mastered motivation, knowledge, and
communication skill?