Similarities and Differences in Communication Styles

In considering the similarities and differences in evaluating my communication styles my husband, fellow coworker, and myself were mostly in agreement and the numbers varied very little.  All three assessments including my own saw my listening style profile as group 1 which is people-oriented, “empathetic and concerned with the emotions of others” (Rubin & Sypher, 2009, para. 1).  My personal assessment of verbal aggressiveness rating was 65 as was my husband and colleague’s evaluations fell within the moderate range of maintaining “a good balance between respect and consideration for others’ viewpoints, and the ability to argue fairly by attacking the facts of a position rather than the person holding that position” (Rubin & Sypher, 2009, para. 3).  The differences in scoring came in the communication anxiety inventory with me seeing myself at a 48 with moderate anxiety and my husband and colleague rating me within the mild range implicating I do not worry a great deal about communication.                                                                    

The insights I have gained from this week’s exercise is the part that schemas or “mental structures that put together related bits of information” (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 37) from past experiences play in our perceptions of others.  I was amazed at the scenarios created from a single picture.  “The truth is that for better or for worse, you glean quite a bit of information from first impressions” (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 37).  I also learned about how I perceive my own communication skills compared to how others see me.  I thought the assignments were enlightening about communication styles and potential hindrances to competent communication.                                                       

The reading assignments this week shared information on perceptual barriers and the important of “mindfulness, being respectful of others, and maintain an accurate perception of the situation” (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 44) to effective intercultural exchange.  As teachers/caregivers we have a common goal to provide quality learning experiences for the children in our programs and this can best be accomplished through building a rapport and successful communication with children and families.  It also requires effective communication with coworkers, other professionals and community resources.  In successfully communicating in a diverse society teachers/caregivers must learn about cultural diversity and understand that families communicate differently to best meet the needs of the children in the classroom.      

References

O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York, NY: Bedford/St. Martins

Rubin, R. B., Palmgreen, P., & Sypher, H. E. (Eds.) (2009). Communication research measures: A sourcebook. New York: Routledge.