"intentionality"

Intentionality. When the heck do we communicate without intention? Isn’t that the point of communication? We could easily take this path and this path only, but the truth of the matter is that communication is not always intentional. One could easily argue that most non-verbal communication is not intentional. In fact we could even go as far as to say that intentionally through people off with non-verbal communication are rather clever. The intentionality of communication is interesting in so much as it can help us to better understand the true motives behind the sender. It can also helps us, if genuinely used, help us to read the emotions of the sender. I find often that when I’m upset during a meeting that someone I know will ask me later if I was ok. It seems as though I wear my emotions on my face and in my posture. This is an example of unintentional communication.

The Game of Communication

It seems clear that the pragmatic perspective is well conceived. We can see evidence in almost every interaction we have. People often refer to an argument as either winning or losing. What an interesting idea. I can win an argument. This can lead people to drop all sense of personal dignity and respect for the sake of the competition. I once read that the true idea of an argument is to try to understand the opponent’s perspective more than sell our own. My boss says, “Argue as if you are right, and listen as if you know nothing.” Not everyone approaches communication in this manner though. One could see the work of teachers, therapists, and counselors in a more proactive role. They tend have our best interests at heart. However, we could see a therapist’s role in terms of a big game of truth or dare. How or what do they have to do to get us to open up? Maybe all communication can be viewed as a game.

Social Construction

Social construction is what we are really talking about these days. This morning on my way to work I heard an article on NPR about the court’s decision yesterday to repeal the voter approved ban on same sex marriage. This is not about my personal view or feelings on the subject (which I’m not shy about), but it seems to really be about what we as a society mean when we use the word “marriage.” It seems clear that the opposing sides won’t find a middle ground at any point in the foreseeable future, but how is it that the simple official definition of a word can give some people extreme happiness while at the same time as giving other extreme sadness. This to me is the most recent example of how we as a society can shape the happiness of our own members through shared beliefs. BTW, I agree with the judge.

Problems Honestly Observing

There are a number of dilemmas that can come up in a ethnographer’s research, but the main issues I can think of that would strike on a moral level would revolve around covert roles. In order to keep your role as a researcher a secret one must lie to the very people they are trying to get to trust them. These lies can be difficult the longer a research stays in the covert role mainly because it would be hard if not impossible to not form a personal relationship. The other thing that can come from creating relationships is the difficulty in making objective observations. It has happened to everyone. We like the people, but our job is to study them in a scientific manner. Then you code all the data and form an opinion that is supported by the data. However, if you like the subjects then it is much more likely that your data will be jaded.

Ethnography and Deception

My personal favorite in terms of research is ethnography. I love to watch people and thinking about, guessing, and discussing the possible reasons why people do what they do. I think this is so interesting because it requires an understanding of people, their mannerisms, various cultural differences, and emotion. When thinking about the idea of deception I automatically go to sales people, so I would research something around the various types of deception salesmen employ on heir work. My question would be: Do cultural differences of customers change the method of deception used by sales people? I’m not sure what method I would use to answer this question, but I wonder if ethnography won’t be a perfect match. Interviewing those that sell and those that bought from them would make an interesting research project. It would give a fairly whole picture of the reasons why different deception tactics were used, and is cultural differences really play role.

Informal Channels vs Formal

We learn about the different modes of organizational communication, and their usefulness in chapter 8. One of the things that stood out for me was the variation between formal and informal channels of communication. I was interested mostly because I have been doing some research about formal versus informal communication with organizations as it pertains to identifying competencies. The text says, “Both forms of communication are essential to the life of the organization.” (p. 218) However, what I have found is that while both obviously take place, and they each have different types of information base through them, informal communication tends to be more popular amongst those at lower levels. Also, it is interesting how much legitimacy informal information carries. Often we find these rumors to be truer than not, even though the classic “water cooler” conversations can be deemed gossip. So, I would agree that both informal and formal channels are essential to the operation of any organization.

Importance of Mediums

I very much agree with Marshall LcLuhan’s idea that the “the medium is the message.” We see this sort of thing all the time where I work. People are turned off, or begin to ignore the message if the way it is communicated isn’t well received. In this the medium is crucial to the success of the message. I think that the new generation learns is very much that of the mosaic logic. I heard an article recently about the constant perceived need for students in high school and college to be connected. The article went on to explain the student’s inability to be alone. Without TV, smart phones, Facebook, or the internet they won’t know how to communicate with people. In this way be see their need, potential as a result of growing up on TV, their need for information quicker and quicker. I fond myself stuck partially in that world, but even more afraid of being past up by it.