Communication Climate

Module 3

Communication Climate
It refers to the emotional tone of a

relationship.
A climate does not involve specific
activities as much as the way people feel
about each other as they carry out those
activities .

What makes some climates

positive and others negative ?
Communication climate is determined by

the degree to which people see themselves

valued.

Confirming and Disconfirming

messages
Confirming responses say you exist ,you

matter ,you are important .

Three positive levels of confirming
messages :Recognition
Acknowledgement
Endorsement

Disconfirming Messages
Messages that deny the value of others .
Such messages show lack of regard for the

other person either by disputing or ignoring

some important part of the persons
message .
Disagreement
Ignore others ideas

Distancing Tactics
Tactic

Description

Avoidance

Evading the other person

Deception

Lying to or misleading the other

person

Degrading

Treating the other person with

disrespect

Detachment

Acting emotionally disinterested

in the person

Discounting

Disregarding the importance of

what others say

Humoring

Not taking the other person

seriously

Impersonality

Treating the other person like a

stranger

Inattention

Not paying attention to the

other person

Distancing Tactics
Tactic

Description

Reserve

Being unusually quiet and

uncommunicative

Restraint

Curtailing normal social

behavior

Restrict Topics

Limiting conversation to less

personal topics

Shorten Interaction

Ending conversation as quickly

as possible

How communication climate

develop ?
Self Perpetuating Spiral
Escalatory Conflict Spiral
Deescalatory Conflict Spiral

The Gibb Categories of

Defensive and Supportive
Behaviours
Defensive Behaviours

Supportive Behaviours

Evaluation

Description

Control

Problem Orientation

Strategy

Spontaneity

Neutrality

Empathy

Superiority

Equality

Certainty

Provisionalism

Evaluation vs Description
Evaluation : Defense provoking ,the you

language
Eg. You talk too much
Descriptive : Focuses on the thoughts and
feelings instead of judging the listener
Eg . When you do not give me a chance to
say what is on my mind ,I get frustrated .

Control vs problem oriented

A controlling message occurs when sender

seems to be imposing a solution on the

receiver wit little regard for the receiver's
needs or interests.
Eg. I know what is best for you ,and I you
do as I say , we will get long .
Problem Oriented : Communicators focus
on finding a solution that satisfies both
their needs and those of others involved .

Strategy vs Spontaneity
Strategy : A more accurate term describing

strategy is manipulation.
Spontaneity :Honesty
Spontaneous message need not be blurred
as soon as an idea comes to you .

Neutrality versus Empathy

Neutrality would be indifference .
Lack of concern for the welfare of others .
Empathy: Accepting other persons feelings

or putting yourself in anothers place.

Superiority vs. Equality

Superiority : When people believe that they

are better than we are .

Equality : Such people communicate that
although they may have greater talent in
certain areas ,they see others having just
as much worth as human beings .

Certainty vs Provisionlism
Dogmatism is another term for certainty .

Messages suggest that the speakers mind

is already made up .
Provisionlism: People my have strong
opinions but are willing to acknowledge
that they do not have a corner on the truth
and will change their stand if another
position seems more reasonable.

Managing Interpersonal
Conflict
Nature of Conflict

Styles of expressing conflict

Cultural influences on conflict
Methods of Conflict Resolution

Nature of conflict
Conflict is an expressed struggle between

at least two interdependent parties who

perceive incompatible goals, scarce
rewards ,and interference from other
parties in achieving their goals .

Styles of expressing Conflict

Non assertion :It is the inability or

unwillingness to express thoughts or

feelings in a conflict .
Forms of non assertion :.

Forms of non assertion :Avoidance: Either physical or

. conversational
Accommodation : Deals with conflict by

giving in ,putting the others needs ahead

of their own.

Direct Aggression
Whereas non asserters avoid conflict

,communicators who use direct aggression

embrace them
Attacks the other persons position .
Eg. What is the matter with you ?
Shut up!

Passive Aggression
Communicator expresses hostility in an

obscure way .
Crazymaking
Eg. Pseudoaccomodators pretend to agree
with you
Guiltmakers : I really should be studying ,
but I will give you a ride .

Indirect Communication
Conveys message in a roundabout manner,

in order to save face for the recipient .

Eg. If your guests are staying too long , it is
probably kinder to yawn and hint about
your big day tomorrow than to bluntly ask
them to leave .

Assertion
Assertive people handle conflicts by

expressing their needs, thoughts and

feelings clearly and directly but without
judging others or dictating to them .

Characteristics of an assertive
message
Behavioural description: You asked me to tell you

what I really thought about your idea , and then

when I gave it to you you told me I was too Critical .
Your interpretation of the other persons behaviour
:Your reaction made me think ..
A description of your feelings I felt stupid for being
honest
A description of the consequences your appreciation
makes me feel good and I perform better
A statement of your intentions I thought you would
know ..

Gender Influences on Conflict

Males are overtly aggressive ,demanding

and competitive
Females are more cooperative, or at least
less directly aggressive .
Boys typically try to get their way by
ordering one another around : Lie Down ,
get off my steps ..
Girls are more likely to make proposals for
actions beginning with the word Lets ..
Lets find some ,Lets ask her etc.

Gender Influences on Conflict

Boys tell each other what role to take in

pretend play (come on , be a doctor )

Girls make a joint proposal(We can both be
doctors ) or Will you be the patient for a
few minutes )
Men are concerned with power more than
relational issues
Females are more concerned with feelings
Primary reason for differences in conflict
style is socialization .

Methods of Conflict
Resolution

Win Lose : One party achieves its goals at

the expense of others .Power is the

distinguishing characteristic.
Eg. Baseball game, A couple who disagrees
on how to spend their limited money .
Lose Lose :Neither side is satisfied with
the outcome Eg. Battles of pride , War
Compromise: A compromise gives both
parties at least some of what they
wanted ,both sacrifice part of their goals .

Methods of Conflict
Resolution

Win Win : Satisfies the need of everyone

involved

Choosing the most appropriate

method of Conflict Resolution
Consider deferring to the other person :When you discover you are wrong
When the issue is more important to the

other person than it is to you

To let others learn by making their own
mistakes
When the long term cost of winning may
not be worth the short term goals

Choosing the most

appropriate method of
Consider Compromising:Conflict
Resolution
When there is not enough time to seek a
win win outcome
When the issue is not important enough to
negotiate at length
When the other person is not willing to
seek a win win outcome

Choosing the most

appropriate method of
Consider Competing
Conflict
Resolution
When the issue is important and the other
person will take advantage of your non
competitive approach
Consider Cooperating :When the issue is too important for a
compromise
When along term relationship between you
and the other person is important
When the other person is willing to cooperate

Steps in Win Win Problem

Solving
Identify your problem and unmet needs
Make a date
Describe your problem and needs
Partner checks back
Solicit partners needs
Check your understanding of partners

needs
Follow up on the solution