professional communication and digital mediation

Answer the following four questions using no more than 250 words each response. You must use course material to support your work, with full APA citations. Be sure to include a reference list at the end. Finally, don’t forget to ensure you’ve covered ALL ELEMENTS of each question.

1) Describe one of the following functions of nonverbal communication from Bevan and Sole (Section 4.2).

· Managing your impressions and identities

· Managing and interpreting your relationships

· Regulating the flow of interactions

· Engaging in and detecting messages of emotion, influence, and deception

Then, share an example that illustrates how this function is demonstrated in a hypothetical communication exchange. (Remember, this should be no more than 250 words)

Regulating the flow of interactions is one of the primary functions of nonverbal communication (Bevan & Sole, 2014, p. 10-11). With nonverbal cues like changes to tone and inflection, the sender of the message signals that they are finished speaking for the time being, or are simply taking a pause. While pausing itself can be perceived as a sign that the person’s message is complete and they would like the other person to talk, there are also strategic pauses that do not indicate that the time is right for the other person. Yet these types of nonverbal signals are context-dependent. For example, if a person is telling an engaging story with a lot of suspense and rich detail, a pause would be inserted for dramatic effect and not as a sign that the person is done telling the tale.

Other nonverbal methods of regulating the flow of interactions include the use of questions such as, “What do you think?” or “Am I right?” The sender of the message is clearly asking the other person to provide input. Another common way of regulating the flow of interactions is with the use of facial expressions. Some facial expressions like raised eyebrows or a confused look might indicate the person is ready to listen to what the partner has to say. Breaking eye contact and looking away can also signal that person is done speaking. Similarly, body language like shrugging shoulders can indicate a change in the flow of the dialogue.

2) Using Bevan and Sole (Section 4.1), explain how biased language impacts attitudes, behaviors, and perception. Be sure to spend some time on each element and explain the significance of biased language overall.

Biased language impacts attitudes, behaviors, and perception. Some of the typical forms of biased language includes language that is racist or sexist. Biased language stems from the individual’s prejudicial beliefs and attitudes. Moreover, biased language is a form of aggressive behavior. Language is taking action on biased beliefs, vocalizing disrespect or even hatred of a specific trait. The person using biased language is also protecting biased beliefs about the entire group onto the one person or individual who is hearing the message. Biased language is also based on the perception that the individual is part of a dominant culture. The person is used to voicing their biased beliefs among peers who share those prejudices, which is why it is important to censure those who use biased language.

As Bevan & Sole (2014) point out, biased language has no place in professional communication. If biased language were allowed to proliferate, it would create a toxic workplace environment. Each person has a personal responsibility to call out a colleague, a friend, or even a supervisor for using biased language. The goal of censuring biased language is not to restrict free speech, but to demonstrate the power of language in social situations. Language is used to reinforce social norms, influencing how people think and act about specific issues.

3) Communication and Gender

Bevan and Sole (2014) contend that most academic research has found few differences in how men and women communicate.   However, most people still tend to think that they do! For this question, you will:

1) Take this sex-role inventory test - http://personality-testing.info/tests/OSRI/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site and report your results.

2) Reflect on the relationship between your gender orientation and how you communicate.

3) Based on what you’ve learned in Cameron and Bevan and Sole, identify at least two “masculine” and “feminine” traits you use in your communication.

4) Finally, list some of the benefits of what Bevan and Sole call having an “androgynous” communication style. How can paying attention to gender help us become more effective communicators?

Gender orientation is a strong predictor of communication style (Bevan & Sole, 2014). The results of my sex-role inventory shows I have only slightly more feminine gender orientation (score of 102 versus 91 for masculinity) and tend towards androgyny and undifferentiation. Although predisposed to a feminine gender orientation, my self-expression ends up being more neutral, as can be seen from the results plotted on the chart. I am aware that I use both masculine and feminine communication styles to a degree, but can learn more about how to increase my use of masculine styles in order to communicate more effectively to an audience with a male gender orientation or to accomplish specific communication goals such as remaining open and positive in social situations. As Bevan & Sole (2014) point out, androgynous communicators “could have more satisfying relationships than either masculine or feminine individuals because he or she has the advantage of being able to employ both communication styles with some degree of skill,” (p. 7). Some of the specifically “feminine” traits I use include being affiliative and seeking harmony. Some of the more masculine traits I have exhibited include being goal-orientated when communicating in the workplace, and remaining focused on finishing tasks.

4) Watch at least the first 10 minutes of the following video titled Digital Communication Skills: Dos and Don’ts. Based on this and Bevan and Sole (Section 4.4), what are two key points we need to be aware of in relation to computer mediated communication. Explain two specific ways you can use this advice to become a better communicator?

Digital communication is known as “mediated communication,” (Bevan & Sole, 2014, p. 20). The digital media influences how our messages are sent and received. Therefore, it is important to learn how to use digital media effectively. The medium used can have a strong bearing on how our messages are encoded and decoded. The most important thing to remember with mediated communication is that nonverbal cues will often be absent. The same is true for printed forms of written communication, but email and text messages are far less formal than most types of printed communication. When communicating professionally using digital media it is important to remain informal in tone but “not sloppy,” as the video points out. A key point to be aware of in computer-mediated communication is how to maintain the balance between informality and professionalism. Specific ways to achieve that balance include eliminating the use of text abbreviations like LOL and “u” for “you.”