Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter you should be able to:

Draw, label, and explain Richard's triangle of meaning.

Explain how perception, ambiguity, too much information, and too little information can influence accurate communication processing.

Avoid language that labels or connotes inferiority.

Explain the ladder of abstraction and show how the abstracting process can create difficulty for decision-making groups.

Give examples of gender differences in language use.

Explain differences in verbal behavior of people from low- and high-context cultures.

Troubleshoot language problems in groups.

Specify the functions of nonverbal messages and show how each function bears upon accuracy in group communication.

Recall six nonverbal codes and specify their uses.

Explain the three major categories of nonverbal problems.

Apply the text's suggestions for improving nonverbal communication to groups.

Provide examples of gender differences in the use of gesture, posture and bearing, eye contact, and facial expression.

Suggest cultural differences in the use of gesture, eye contact, and time.

2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of The McGraw-Hill Companies.