Communications Essay
Final Exam Study Guide 1. A script is a sequence of actions intended to achieve some form of narrative sense. In essence, a script is a story that needs to occur in a given sequence. Scripts have two important characteristics which is being flexible and being able to vary according to role and context. Scripts must be flexible, because apparently relationships, and therefore their scripts, are relatively fluid and then leave it again. Being able to vary according to role and context is important, because in some situations like dating, there are gender stereotypes. The scripts for males and females when getting a date are very similar except for some gender differences. Our culture influences the process of getting a date by gender stereotyping, and that is the only difference in the two scripts. The male is supposed to start the conversation and take a more active role in their acquaintance, while the female notices the other person. 2. Mindlessness is a state of engaging in activities without consciously monitoring the operations or process of that activity. An example of mindlessness is if you commute using a given route to school each day you may occasionally arrive a t your destination only to realize that you don’t remember how you got where you are. Self-centered communicators think primarily of their own goals, needs, communication behaviors, and ways of doing things. Any attention they pay to the other person in the interaction tends to focus on their own needs and how to get that person to do what they want. An example of this might be someone who doesn’t care what the other people are taking about, and their only goal is to accomplish their task. 3. The four major skill areas of interpersonal communication competence are composure, coordination, attentiveness, and expressiveness. Composure is the skill of displaying control and confidence. Coordination is the skill of managing the flow of the interaction. Expressiveness is the skill of animating verbal and nonverbal communication. Attentiveness is the skill of showing interest in, concern for, and attention to the other person or persons in the interaction. Composure differs from the other major skill areas by having vocal confidence, good posture, and not having shaking or nervous twitches or fidgeting. Coordination is the initiation and maintenance of new topics, and interruption of partner’s speaking turns. Attentiveness is leaning towards the partner, asking questions, encouragement, and the use of time speaking relative to partner.