Vocab List for Small Group Communication

Generation X

1965-1980 seek independence and are unimpressed by authority; confident; flexible; results driven; work smarter not harder; seek meaningful work and focus on output and outcomes; adapt well to change and are eager to learn and thrive on flexibility; tech savvy and thrive on availability of info; skeptical; dislike authority; dislike structure; impatient; leaders must give them independence, allow them to have fun at work, and provide the latest technology

Judger

A Myers-Briggs personality type who is highly structured and likes to plan ahead

Perceiver

A Myers-Briggs personality type who is less rigid about deadlines and time constraints and who is flexible and willing to try new options

Feeler

A Myers-Briggs personality type who wants everyone to get along and who will spend time with other group members to achieve harmony

Feminine Culture

A culture in which people cherish traditionally feminine qualities and prefer little differentiation in the roles of women and men

Prejudice

A rigid attitude that is based on group membership and predisposes an individual to feel, think or act in a negative way toward another person or group.

Low context

Cultures in which there is relatively less consensual information shared among individuals, so that people need to rely heavily on explicit communication

Individualism

Giving priority to one's own goals over group goals and defining one's identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications

Discrimination

In classical conditioning, the process by which two similar but distinct conditioned stimuli produce different responses; in sociology, when individuals of a particular group are treated differently from others based on their group.

Baby boomers

In the late 1940s and 1950s a huge number of American babies are born. The birth of all these babies has a huge impact on American society and economy.

Thinker

Of the different communicator styles, _____ will appreciate your ability to provide all of the facts and avoid rushing to judgment about conclusions.

Sensor

Paying attention to physical reality, what I see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. I'm concerned with what is actual, present, current, and real. I notice facts and I remember details that are important to me. I like to see the practical use of things and learn best when I see how to use what I'm learning. Experience speaks to me louder than words.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's group is of central importance, tendency to judge the practices of other groups by one's own cultural standards.

High power distance

The cultural belief that inequalities in power, status, and rank are natural and that these differences should be acknowledged and accentuated

High context

Type of communication focused more on status, context of social role/positions and nonverbal communications

Monochronic

a concept that treats time as a finite commodity that can be earned, saved, spent, and wasted

Masculine culture

a culture that values achievement, assertiveness, heroism, material wealth, and traditional male and female roles

Introvert

a person whose thoughts and interests are directed inward

Polychronic

an approach to the use of time that emphasizes flexibility and pursuing multiple tasks

Stereotyping

creating an oversimplified image of a particular group of people, usually by assuming that all members of the group are alike

Low power distance

cultures, laws, norms, and values promote equality in everyday life, business and politics, making power distinctions as minimal as possible. People believe they should have equal access to power

Collectivism

giving priority to the goals of one's group (often one's extended family or work group) and defining one's identity accordingly.

Extrovert

one who is outgoing; one who is energized rather than drained by interactions with others

Millennial

the most recent generation that is entering the workforce has been described as technologically savvy, adept at multitasking, civic-minded, and diverse. They have also been described as lazy, lacking empathy, entitled, and self-important.