Verbal Messages Verbal Messages Chapter 5

Principles of Verbal MessagesGuidelines for using Verbal

Messages Effectively

Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal MessagesMessages1. Messages are packaged

◦Verbal & Nonverbal together

Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal MessagesMessages1. Messages are packaged2. Message meanings are in people

Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal MessagesMessages1. Messages are packaged2. Message meanings are in people

◦Language is a symbol system. ◦Symbols are interpreted differently

by different people.◦Words we use are not the reality, but

they are used to express and shape reality.

Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal MessagesMessages1. Messages are packaged2. Message meanings are in people3. Messages are denotative &

connotative◦Denotation: Objective definition◦Connotation: Subjective, emotional

meanings. Feelings and associations.

Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal MessagesMessages1. Messages are packaged2. Message meanings are in people3. Messages are denotative &

connotative4. Messages vary in abstraction

Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal MessagesMessages1. Messages are packaged2. Message meanings are in people3. Messages are denotative &

connotative4. Messages vary in abstraction5. Messages vary in politeness

5. Messages vary in 5. Messages vary in PolitenessPolitenessDirect vs IndirectAdvantages of Indirect MessagesDisadvantages of Indirect

Messages

Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal MessagesMessages1. Messages are packaged2. Message meanings are in people3. Messages are denotative &

connotative4. Messages vary in abstraction5. Messages vary in politeness6. Message meanings can deceive

6. Message meanings can 6. Message meanings can deceivedeceiveDefinition of lyingTypes of liesHow people lieThe behavior of liars

Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal MessagesMessages1. Messages are packaged2. Message meanings are in people3. Messages are denotative &

connotative4. Messages vary in abstraction5. Messages vary in politeness6. Message Meanings can deceive7. Messages can criticize and

praise

7. Messages can Criticize 7. Messages can Criticize and Praiseand PraiseWhen does a person need praise?

Or criticism?Guidelines for expressing

negative information:◦ Focus on the event and behavior, not person◦ Try to state in positive terms◦ Own your thoughts and feelings; “I-

messages”◦ Avoid ordering or directing◦ Choose appropriate context

Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal MessagesMessages1. Messages are packaged2. Message meanings are in people3. Messages are denotative &

connotative4. Messages vary in abstraction5. Messages vary in politeness6. Message Meanings can deceive7. Messages can criticize and praise8. Messages vary in assertiveness

8. Messages vary in 8. Messages vary in AssertivenessAssertivenessNonassertiveness: Fail to assert

your rights. Aggressiveness: Care little about

the rights of others.Assertiveness: You act in your

best interest without denying the rights of others.

Communicate AssertivelyCommunicate Assertively? What are some guidelines?

Principles of Verbal Principles of Verbal MessagesMessages1. Messages are packaged2. Message meanings are in people3. Messages are denotative &

connotative4. Messages vary in abstraction5. Messages vary in politeness6. Message Meanings can deceive7. Messages can criticize and praise8. Messages vary in assertiveness9. Messages can confirm and

disconfirm

9. Messages can confirm and 9. Messages can confirm and disconfirmdisconfirm

DisconfirmationRejectionConfirmation

DisconfirmationDisconfirmationWhat are some ways we show

disconfirmation in our conversation?

Why is racist, sexist, heterosexist, or ageist language disconfirming?

Part 2: Make verbal Part 2: Make verbal messages more effectivemessages more effectiveExtensionalize

◦Intensional orientation◦Extensional orientation

Avoid allnessAvoid Fact-Inference confusion

◦Facts◦Inferences

Make verbal messages more Make verbal messages more effectiveeffectiveDiscriminate among

◦IndiscriminationTalk about the middle

◦PolarizationUpdate messages

◦Static evaluation