Marriage and Family Life

1. Marriage and Family Life Unit 1: Communicating With Others

2. Objective 1: Identify the definition of communication. • Communication is the process of conveying thoughts, feelings, and information in such a way that the message is received and understood by verbal or nonverbal means.

3. Objective 2: Identify communication uses. • To socialize • To build and strengthen relationships • To exchange information and knowledge • To persuade or motivate someone • To resolve problems and issues • To share feelings

4. Objective 3: Identify methods of communication. • Personal contact • Telephone (land line) • Cell phone • E-mail • Fax • Video messaging/ videoconference • Text messaging • Instant messaging • Voice mail • Written letter

5. Objective 4: Identify factors that affect communication. • Culture and custom • Gender roles • Gestures and body language • Protocol • Tone of voice • Topics • Gender • Physical and psychological conditions • Group membership • Language • Nationality • Religion • Social circumstances • Event type (formal or informal) • Relationship (between sender and receiver)

6. Objective 5: Distinguish between verbal and nonverbal methods of communication. • Verbal communication • Listening • Reading • Speaking • Writing • Nonverbal communication • Appearance • Body language • Personal space • Silence

7. Objective 6: Distinguish between the levels of communication. • Level 5: Casual conversation • Level 4: Reporting information • Level 3: Giving opinions • Level 2: Telling feelings • Level 1: Sharing emotions

8. Objective 7: Discuss ethics in communication. • Communication can be unethical if the information is wrong or misleading. • Communication can be unethical if it does not occur at the appropriate time and place. • Communication can be unethical if the information does not need to be shared, and sharing it will hurt someone.

9. Objective 8: Identify common barriers to communication. • Failing to see a person as an individual and/or lack of understanding of other cultures • Failing to listen • Allowing emotions to affect communication • Having a “closed” mind • Using clichés, automatic responses and colloquialisms • Allowing interruptions

10. Objective 8: Identify common barriers to communication. • Having low self-esteem and confidence • Using a specific and limited vocabulary • Assuming knowledge • Being prejudiced • Falling back on teachings from childhood • Not hearing the message clearly • Sending mixed messages • Noise

11. Objective 9: Identify the importance of message context. • Selective listeners tend to pick out only part of what the speaker is saying. Partial information can be misleading. • Verbal and nonverbal messages may be misinterpreted if taken out of context. • Angry or defensive listeners may read an unintended meaning into what is being said. • “Closed-minded” listeners may hear only what they want to hear and may misinterpret the message.

12. Objective 10: Interpret the impact of context on messages.

13. Objective 11: Differentiate in the descriptive characteristics of I-messages, we-messages and you-messages. I-messages • Reflect what the speaker thinks or feels • Give facts about the speaker • Give the speaker responsibility and control over communication • Use during confrontational topics to create more positive responses • States how the speaker reacts to the actions of others • Are non-threatening • Requires practice in using them successfully

14. Objective 11: Differentiate in the descriptive characteristics of I-messages, we-messages and you-messages. We-messages • Improve communication • Are non-threatening • Generate positive responses • Define a problem of mutual concern to all involved and give everyone equal responsibility

15. Objective 11: Differentiate in the descriptive characteristics of I-messages, we-messages and you-messages. You-messages • Blame, judge or accuse another person of an action • Easy to use when you are mad or hurt • Give challenging or even threatening messages • Usually close communication channels

16. Objective 12: Interpret scenarios using I-messages, we-messages and you-messages.

17. Objective 13: Distinguish between active and passive listening. Active listening • Show the speaker you are paying attention • Do not dominate the conversation. • Maintain eye contact with the speaker. • Encourage further communication. • Show interest and respect. • Stay focused on what is being said and keep the conversation on what the speaker is sharing. • Provide feedback. • Don’t finish the speaker’s sentence. • Plan your response after the speaker’s remarks.

18. Objective 13: Distinguish between active and passive listening. Passive listening • Do not listen effectively. • Offer no feedback that you heard or understood the message. • Give the sender the impression that you are not interested. • Discourage further communication • Show that you are preoccupied with your own thoughts

19. Objective 14: Complete a listening activity.

20. Objective 15: Identify the purposes of feedback. • Clarify a message • Encourage the speaker to keep talking • Evaluate or judge a person’s comment • Paraphrase what the other person has said • Gain more information

21. Objective 16: Select guidelines for improving communication. • Use I-messages or we-messages rather than you-messages • Choose an appropriate time for communicating • Build trust • Use language the listener can understand • Do not be sarcastic or critical • Be attentive • Be interested

22. Objective 16: Select guidelines for improving communication. • Be patient • Focus on the message • Keep an “open” mind • Ask questions • Be aware of multiple meanings • Pay attention of tone of voice • Be aware of body language • Be empathetic

23. Objective 16: Select guidelines for improving communication. • Accept that the speaker’s point of view might not be the same as yours • Give feedback • Make use of repetition • Understand that each person communicates differently • Know when to drop the issue

24. Objective 17: Identify skills for communicating with children. • Position yourself at the child’s eye level • Use vocabulary that a child will understand • Keep the message simple • Try to eliminate distractions • Listen to what the child is saying • Respect the child’s feelings

25. Objective 18: Evaluate opinions about the role of communication in relationships.

26. Objective 19: Record a “communication log” for assessing effectiveness/skills.

27. Objective 20: Write a note of acknowledgement.