Communication Case

CHAPTER 1

1. Evaluate this chapter's definition of communication. What are its strengths? What are its weaknesses? If you were asked to improve it in one way, by adding, subtracting, or modifying something, what would you change? Present your answer and explain the reasoning that justifies it in a 100-200-word response.

Chapter one has a good definition for the word communication. It's strengths are the fact that it says it is personal, it requires a sender and a recipient, and that it involves encoding, transmitting and decoding. Its weakness is that it produces a state of unity and that it is only for humans. These two things are something I would change. I don't think that communication always creates a state of unity. There are cases where people can't understand each other on things. Therefore this should be amended in the definition. I also firmly believe that animals communicate just as well as humans do. They interact with each other and communicate all the time. This should be included in the definition as well.

2. Recall an incident in which you or an acquaintance experienced a communication breakdown because of a verbal linguistic barrier. Chronicle this incident in a 100-200-word response.

A few years ago, I was working at a restaurant as a waitress. Two gentlemen came in to order some food. I began to say hello what would you like and the gentlemen started speaking Spanish. I do not speak or understand Spanish. I could not understand what they wanted and they could not understand but very little of what I was saying. Luckily for me the manager on duty spoke Spanish and I was able to go get him to help me better understand what the gentlemen wanted. They received the correct order and left me a nice tip. That was one life experience I will never forget.

3. This chapter questions the statement that no people can see the same thing because the statement is self-discrediting. If the statement were true, the person making the statement would have no way of knowing that it is true since, by his or her own admission, he or she could never gain access to what other people see for the purpose of determining this. What do you think? Share your thoughts in a 100-200-word response.

I agree that sometimes someone cannot see things the same way as someone else. This world is full of different opinions, ideas, and beliefs. A Christian and a Buddhist would not be able to understand each other in many areas of life. Therefore their communication would not create a unity. A Christian, like me, believes in God all mighty and heaven and hell. A Buddhist believes that there is no place like Heaven and Hell. They also believe all conditioned things are impersonal. Therefore ultimately we don't exist. Therefore people can't always communicate and understand each other or create a unity.

CHAPTER 2

1. Words are powerful communicational tools. Consider the following words of wisdom from James 3: 2-10 (NLT):

"If we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!"1

Drawing from your personal experience, write a 100-200-word response in which you describe the power of words to be powerfully constructive or destructive.

The power of words is like a power tool. It can be destructive or constructive. The tongue gets it's power from the heart. So depending on the person and thier heart is how the tongue can be constructive or destructive. You can have a huge heart and live for the Lord. This will make you have a very constructive tongue. Your words will be powerful and true. However, there are those who are not as contructive. Their words are destructive and have a sinful heart that wants to destroy and hurt and discourage and put other people down. It is all how you live and how you use your words.

2. In a paragraph or two, answer the following questions about your use of artifacts to send people information about yourself: a) which clothing styles and colors you like to wear in public? b) What kind of positive statements about yourself do you suppose you are making to others by choosing to wear these clothing styles and colors?; c) Which clothing styles and colors do you choose not to wear in public? What kind of negative statement about yourself do you suppose you would be making to others if you were to wear these clothing styles and colors in their presence?

I usually wear blue jeans and a t-shirt in public. I am more of a relaxed, laid back; want to be comfortable kind of girl. I don't care to wear the latest fashion or dress up all the time. Yes I dress up on special occasions but not every day. I think the positive statements I am making about myself with these clothing choices are that I don't need to be fancy to be happy. I am a good wholesome southern woman who loves her jeans. I think that people can see that I am not stuck up and that I don't mind breaking a nail or getting my hands dirty. I don't wear dresses that often or high heels. I don't wear clothes too short or too tight. I think that if I did wear clothes too tight or too short people would think I am a easy girl who doesn't care about respecting myself enough to cover up.

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