This document discusses communication climate and how it impacts groups. It defines two types of climates - supportive and defensive. A supportive climate makes group members feel valued and encourages open sharing, while a defensive climate has the opposite effect. The document outlines six dimensions that establish a supportive climate, including description over evaluation, problem orientation over control, and equality over superiority. It also describes seven types of disconfirming messages that characterize a defensive climate, such as being impervious, interrupting, or giving ambiguous responses. Specific examples are provided of how climate impacts students in a classroom setting. Private schools tend to have a more supportive climate due to small class sizes while large university lectures can feel more defensive. Characteristics of both

1. Communication Climate April 19, 2011 Jessica Ctvrtlik, Kaity Dunlap, David Hunter, Katie Wright

2. Communication Climate The relative acceptance or rejection a group member feels based upon the social and psychological tone of the relationships established among group members

3. Two types of climates Supportive Communication Climate & Defensive Communication Climate

4. Supportive Communication Climate When group members feel their contributions are welcomed and valued Positive Creates openness Keeps group highly involved Encourages group members to share their feedback and contribute to group task

5. Six Dimensions to Establish Supportive Communication Climate 1. Description vs Evaluation 2. Problem Orientation vs control 3. Spontaneity vs Strategy 4. Empathy vs Neutrality 5. Equality vs Superior 6. Provisionalismvs Certainty

6. Description vs Evaluation When a group member engages in descriptive communication, they focus on the speakers thoughts and feelings instead of judging the other person. A group member who engages in evaluation passes judgment and blames other group members Evaluation: “You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Description: “I don’t understand how you came up with that idea.”

7. Problem Orientation vs Control Problem orientation communicators focus on finding a mutually acceptable solution Controlling communication occurs when a sender seems to be imposing a solution on the receiver with little regard for the receiver’s needs or interests Controlling: “You need to stay off the phone for the next two hours.” Problem orientation: “I’m expecting some important calls. Can we work out a way to keep the line open?”

8. Spontaneity vs Strategy Spontaneity is the behavior of being honest with others rather than manipulating them. Strategy is the defense behavior in which speakers hide their ulterior motives Strategy: “What are you doing Friday after work?” Spontaneity: “I have a piano I need to move Friday after work. Can you please give me a hand?”

9. Empathy vs Neutrality Empathy means accepting another’s group member’s feelings and putting yourself in another’s place Neutrality shows a lack of concern and implies that the welfare of the other person isn’t very important to you Neutral: “Sometimes things just don’t work out. That’s the way it goes.” Empathetic: “I know you put a lot of time and effort into this project.”

10. Equality vs Superiority Equality is when a group member treats all the other group members the same and believes the contributions of all group members are equally needed Superiority is when a group member treats other group members indifferently Superior: “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Equal: “I see it a different way.”

11. Provisionalismvs Certainty Provisionalism makes tentative judges about the task and group members Certainty is when group members see only one way to approach a task Certain: “That will never work!” Provisional: “I think you’ll run into problems with that approach.”

12. Supportive Climate Example YouTube - Positive Communication Climate

13. Discussion Has anyone had an experience when working within a group that reflects this supportive communication climate? If so, did it help the group to be successful? Why?

14. Negative Communication Climates

15. Video Example YouTube - Negative Communication Climate

16. Negative Communication Disconfirming Messages Shows a lack of respect or regard for another individual Seven different types Disagreeing Messages State “you’re wrong” in one way or another Three different types

17. Type 1: Impervious Impervious- does not acknowledge the other persons message “The worst sin towards out fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that’s the essence of humanity.” --George Bernard Shaw

18. Type 2: Interrupting Interrupting- beginning to speak before the other person has finished what they wish to say

19. Type 3: Irrelevant Responses Irrelevant- a comment unrelated to what the other person has just said Example: A: What a day! I thought it would never end! First the car broke down, and I had to call a tow truck, and then because I was late to work I was written up. B: Listen, we really need to talk about a present for Annie’s birthday. The party is Saturday, and I only have tomorrow to shop for it. A: I’m really beat. Could we talk about it a little later? I’ve never seen a day like this one. B: I just can’t figure out what to get Annie. She’s got everything…

20. Type 4: Tangential Responses Tangential- Instead of ignoring the speaker’s remarks completely, the other party uses them as a starting point for a different topic Example: A: We need to figure out where we want to go for spring break. If we don’t decide soon where we are going, we won’t be able to get reservations anywhere. B: Yeah, and if I don’t pass this physics test I won’t be in the mood to go anywhere. Could you give me some help with this homework?!

21. Type 5: Impersonal Response Impersonal- loaded with clichés and other statements that never truly respond to the speaker. Example: Employee: I’ve been having some personal problems lately, and I’d like to take off work early a couple of afternoons to clear them up. Boss: Ah, yes we all have personal problems. Seems to be a sign of the times.

22. Type 6: Ambiguous Responses Ambiguous- contain messages with more than one meaning, leaving the other party unsure of the responder’s position. Example: A: I’d like to get together with you soon to work on our project, how about Tuesday? B: Uh, maybe. A: Well how about it? Can we talk Tuesday? B: Maybe, well talk about it later.

23. Type 7: Incongruous Response Incongruous- contains two messages that seem to deny or contradict each other. Often at least one of these messages is nonverbal. Example: A: Darling, I love you. B: I love you, too.

24. Disagreeing Messages Aggressiveness Most destructive form of disagreement Complaining Behavioral v. Personal Argumentativeness Not always a negative association

25. Specific Climate Case: School Classroom Components Appearance and physical Environment Faculty relations Student Interactions Leadership and Decision Making Attitude Clothing

26. What Climate Supports Students Safety Cleanliness Supplies Interaction Encouraged Staff open to students Diversity Community Feeling

27. What Climate Impedes Students Large Classroom Size Talking Head Teachers not open with students Low Expectations

28. Specific Example: Private vs. UC vs. Cal Poly Class of Private College Small class size Teacher knows every student by name Less Diversity Well Supplied

29. University of California Class of UC Huge Lecture of 300 students Teacher doesn’t know students Research oriented Non-communal feeling Separate discussion groups with T.A.

30. Cal Poly Poly Class Typical around 2 to 50 students Get to know professor Learn by doing Communal feeling

31. An Analysis of Communication Climate Basic ways to improve and maintain a good communication climate

32. Characteristics of Supportive Climate Description Problem spontaneity Empathy Equality Provisionalism

33. Characteristics of a Defensive Climate Evaluation Control Strategy Neutrality Superiority Certainty

34. Main Difference? Types of messages Confirming messages – recognize the value and importance of a relational partner Disconfirming messages – makes a relational partner feel devalued

35. Additional Tips Give more feedback Give less discounting message Have good interpersonal relationships

36. The End!