Communicating Effectively

Communicating Effectively People use many different ways to communicate their feelings. Writing a note Facial expressions Communicationis critical to healthy relationships.

Lesson Objectives In this lesson, you will learn to: • Compare the forms of communication, including passive, aggressive, or assertive communication • Develop the communication skills you need to build healthy relationships with family, friends, peers, and others • Demonstrate communication skills that show respect for self, family, friends, and others

Effective Communication Basic Communication Skills Being an effective communicator means that you correctly interpret the messages you receive and respond appropriately. Three basic skills are needed for effective communication: Speaking Listening Body language

Effective Communication Communication Styles • Passive communicators do not stand up for themselves or defend their attitudes or beliefs. • Aggressive communicators often try to get their way through bullying and intimidation. • Assertive communicators defend their attitudes and beliefs, but they also respect the rights of others.

Effective Communication Speaking Skills • You demonstrate good speaking skills when you clearly say what you mean. • Changes in the tone, pitch, or loudness of your voice can affect communication. • Using “I” messagescan help you communicate your feelings positively, without blame or name-calling.

Effective Communication Stating Your Feelings Effectively

Effective Communication Listening Skills • You can make use of active listeningto improve your communication skills. • Active listening involves giving your full attention to whatever the speaker is saying without interrupting or making judgments.

Make direct eye contact. Use body language and signals, which show you are listening. Don’t interrupt the speaker. Put away prejudices, images, or assumptions. Effective Communication Tips for Active Listening

Effective Communication Techniques for Active Listening • Reflective listening: Rephrase or summarize what the other person has said. • Clarifying: Ask questions to help understand more fully what is being said. • Encouraging: Encourage the speaker to signal that you are interested and involved. • Empathizing: Imagine and understand how someone else feels.

Effective Communication Nonverbal Communication • You use body language when you nod or shake your head to show that you agree or disagree with something that is said. • When you hold yourself in a tense posture, you silently communicate that you’re feeling nervous or worried. • Nonverbal communication can be subtle, taking place at an unconscious level. • If your words and your body language seem to contradict each other, the person you are speaking to may be confused or unsure of what to believe.

Eliminating Communication Barriers Obstacles to Clear Communication • Image and identity issues • Unrealistic expectations • Lack of trust • Prejudice • Gender stereotyping

Eliminating Communication Barriers Image and Identity Issues • Many teens spend at least part of their teen years searching for an identity. • If someone is unsure of his or her values, the uncertainty can complicate the communication process.

Eliminating Communication Barriers Unrealistic Expectations • Avoid imposing unrealistic expectations on your listener. • This may cause the individual to become frustrated or defensive.

Eliminating Communication Barriers Lack of Trust • Good communication is built on trust between two people. • If you believe that you can’t count on a person to tell you the truth or to keep a confidence, communication is very difficult.

Eliminating Communication Barriers Prejudice • Prejudice prevents a person from having an open mind and listening to new information. • To avoid developing prejudices, you can demonstrate tolerance. • Being tolerant helps you understand the differences among people and recognize the value of diversity.

Eliminating Communication Barriers Gender Stereotyping • Gender stereotyping is a type of prejudice that involves having an exaggerated or oversimplified belief about people of a certain gender. • Assuming that all males like sports and that all females enjoy cooking are examples of gender stereotyping.

Constructive Feedback Constructive Criticism • Constructive criticism is intended to bring about positive changes. • You may find that giving the person feedback in a more positive manner helps him or her and your relationship. • It is very important to begin your discussion by using an “I” message to explain how you feel. • Point out what the person is doing or has done, and suggest a better way to do it.

Acknowledgements and Compliments Expressing Yourself • Expressing and receiving respect, admiration, and appreciation with grace and sincerity can help you build and maintain healthy relationships. • It shows that you do not take the relationship for granted, and it demonstrates good sportsmanship and good character.

Quick Review Choose the appropriate option. Q._________ is an unfair opinion or judgment of a particular group of people. • Gender stereotype • Prejudice • Lack of trust • Image issue

A.2. Prejudice Prejudiceis an unfair opinion or judgment of a particular group of people. Quick Review - Answer Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Choose the appropriate option. Q.Which one of the following is not included in forms of communication? • Speaking • Body language • Sleeping • Listening

A.3. Sleeping Forms of communication do not include sleeping. Quick Review - Answer Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Choose the appropriate option. Q.Which one of the following is not an example of active listening? • Reflective listening • Staring • Encouraging • Empathizing

Quick Review - Answer A.2. Staring Active listening does not includestaring. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Choose the appropriate option. Q.Which one of the following includes communication skills that demonstrate consideration and respect for self, family, and others? • Tolerance • Constructive criticism • Nonverbal communication • All of the above

Quick Review - Answer A.4. All of the above Communication skills that demonstrate consideration and respect for self, family, and others include tolerance, constructive criticism, and nonverbal communication. Click Next to attempt another question.

End of Lesson 2 Click Home to view the Main menu.

A.Correct!Prejudice is an unfair opinion or judgment of a particular group of people. Quick Review - Answer Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! Forms of communication do not include sleeping. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! Active listening does not include staring. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! Communication skills that demonstrate consideration and respect for self, family, and others include tolerance, constructive criticism, and nonverbal communication. Click Next to attempt another question.

Effective Communication Speaking Skills • You demonstrate good speaking skills when you clearly say what you mean. • Changes in the tone, pitch, or loudness of your voice can affect communication. • Using “I” messagescan help you communicate your feelings positively, without blame or name-calling. An “I” message is a statement in which a person describes how he or she feels by using the pronoun “I.”

Eliminating Communication Barriers Prejudice • Prejudice prevents a person from having an open mind and listening to new information. • To avoid developing prejudices, you can demonstrate tolerance. • Being tolerant helps you understand the differences among people and recognize the value of diversity. Prejudice is an unfair opinion or judgment of a particular group of people.

Eliminating Communication Barriers Prejudice • Prejudice prevents a person from having an open mind and listening to new information. • To avoid developing prejudices, you can demonstrate tolerance. • Being tolerant helps you understand the differences among people and recognize the value of diversity. Tolerance is the ability to accept others’ differences and allow them to be who they are without your expressing disapproval.

Constructive Feedback Constructive Criticism • Constructive criticism is intended to bring about positive changes. • You may find that giving the person feedback in a more positive manner helps him or her and your relationship. • It is very important to begin your discussion by using an “I” message to explain how you feel. • Point out what the person is doing or has done, and suggest a better way to do it. Constructive criticism means nonhostile comments that point out problems and encourage improvement.

Effective Communication Listening Skills • You can make use of active listeningto improve your communication skills. • Active listening involves giving your full attention to whatever the speaker is saying without interrupting or making judgments. Active listening is paying close attention to what someone is saying and communicating.

Effective Communication Nonverbal Communication • You use body language when you nod or shake your head to show that you agree or disagree with something that is said. • When you hold yourself in a tense posture, you silently communicate that you’re feeling nervous or worried. • Nonverbal communication can be subtle, taking place at an unconscious level. • If your words and your body language seem to contradict each other, the person you are speaking to may be confused or unsure of what to believe. Body language is nonverbal communication through gestures, facial expressions, behaviors, and posture.

Communicating Effectively