Communication Prompt (1) -Transforming Conflict:

Communication

Prompt (1) -Transforming Conflict: Non-Verbal Communication

Who is Marshall Rosenberg? Please talk about this person.

Dr. Martin B. Rosenberg is the founder and director of educational services for the Center for Nonviolent Communications (the Center for Nonviolent Communications). Rosenberg developed a technique of communications that engenders compassion and minimizes conflict. Nonviolent Communications derives its inspiration from nonviolent resistance, in which peaceful means are used to discover mutually beneficial solutions. Rosenberg proposes nonviolent communications as a means of resolving political conflicts.

Describe the basic premises for genuine dialogue and discuss why it cannot happen in a professional relationship.

Genuine dialogue is totally free and open communications. Each party is as concerned about the needs of the others as with selfish needs. This is why genuine dialogue rarely takes place in a professional relationship. Professional relationships have barriers that cannot be torn down; those barriers are in place to protect the best interests of the organization.

Explain the basic differences between dialogue, debate, discussion and deliberation (thought and reflection)

Dialogue is a two-way communication, characterized by the exchange of ideas. Dialogue may involve questions and answers on behalf of both parties. A debate is more directly confrontational than a dialogue. In a debate, each party has a particular point-of-view. Each party is also trying to persuade the other that their point-of-view is the correct one. A discussion is like a debate in that it centers on one particular subject area, but it is less formal than a debate. Often a discussion takes place in order to focus on solutions to a problem. A deliberation is a more introspective process. When two or more individuals is engaged in a deliberation, they are usually discussing issues in a private rather than in a public arena. Deliberation refers to a slow and deliberate process of communication, generally one focused on a specific area.

The way we communicate is based on jackal language or the game of who is right. Explain this.

Jackal language is self-centered and not conducive to a mutual exchange of ideas. The jackal is a relatively violent animal seeking to satisfy its needs, even if at the expense of others. Many human communications are like jackal language, in which each person is only focused on proving themselves right. Jackal language is egotistical.

Nonviolent communication is life-seeking expression. What are some important communication techniques used towards this effective style of communication?

The most important communication techniques used towards nonviolent communication include listening, compassion, empathy, making objective observations, and refraining from judgement and antagonism.

Write a dialogue between two people in conflict. Then rewrite it where one person is using non-violent communication methods and see how the direction of the argument changes.

Jackal Dialogue

A: I told you yesterday to take out the trash.

B: No you didn't.

A: You just weren't listening.

Nonviolent Communication:

A. The trash still has not been taken out. Would you like to do that?

B. Oh, uh, no but I will if you want me to.

A: Thank you

Prompt (2) Stereotypes:

Stereotyping comes from a deeply rooted survival mechanism for self-protection that helps us to identify friends from foe. It is based in the synthesis of sensory awareness. There are three sub-process of perception that help us to understand what our senses are telling us.

The three sub-processes of perception include subliminal perception, external attention factors, and interpretation.

Impressions lead to an implicit personality theory. Describe.

We develop an implicit personality theory by generalizing about certain traits, or assuming that the presence of one trait necessitates the presence of another trait.

Stereotyping leads to totalizing. Describe Stereotyping leads to totalizing, or the act of blurring out any individual or specific traits. Instead of perceiving the other person as a complex set of traits, the stereotyper projects a total set of traits. The totalizing generally occurs as a process of labeling.

Stereotypes create several communication barriers with diverse peers. What are they?

Communication barriers that result from stereotyping are numerous. For one, stereotypes prevent us from viewing the other person as an individual. Second, stereotyping leads to totalizing and therefore prevents us from seeing that person's strengths and weaknesses honestly. Third, stereotyping reflects prejudicial attitudes and creates antagonism as well as bias and mistrust.

How is double consciousness affected by stereotyping?

A double consciousness is fostered by stereotyping, as the individual develops an identity that is a reaction to prejudice. In some situations, the individual lives up to the stereotypes in a self-fulfilling prophesy. The person might develop low self-esteem too. In other cases, the individual becomes antagonistic and this prevents clear communications.