Journal Reflection #3
Verbal & Nonverbal Messages
Now that you have learned about communication competence and apprehension, take some time to complete your first ePortfolio reflection prompt. At the end of the unit you will be asked to upload a completed journal to canvas and your ePortfolio. See, the Communication Skills Journal Overview for more information.
Write about your verbal and nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication makes up most of our communication. With effective nonverbal communication, you can accomplish a lot; when nonverbal communication is ineffective, it can truly inhibit and strain interactions. Pay attention to what you are doing right now: what kind of nonverbal messages are you sending? If no one else is around, would you change something about your nonverbal behavior if someone did walk in?
Understanding how messages work and how to adapt them, is key to your ability to create effective messages. As communicators we often adapt the way we interact with one another depending on the situation. We do this for many reasons, including in order to facilitate effective communication, to avoid conflict, to build relationships, to be respectful.
First take the, Ethics Self-Assessment.
As we adapt our communication styles and messages, is there a point where adaptation can become unethical and disingenuous? Think about this question and the ethics assessment as you reflect on verbal and nonverbal messages below.
Include answers to the following questions in your reflection:
As you know, communication is irreversible and it shapes human identity and society. Knowing this, how can you adapt verbal and nonverbal messages for effectiveness while also not crossing the ethical line? How does gender, diversity, power, privilege, race, etc. impact this question of ethics? Could one person cross the line, but not another in the same situation? Use these questions to reflect on verbal and nonverbal messages and their ethical usage in your response.
