Chapter 8 - Conversations

4 Characteristics of Conversations

1. Locally managed: between two different people involve turn taking in a polite way 2. Sequentially Organized: identifiable beginning, middle and end 3. Extemporaneous Interchange: uttered at the time of the moment 4. Turn Taking: alternating between speaking and listening

How many types of conversations are there?

29

5 Rules of Ethical Dialogue

1. Authenticity: communicating feelings and information that are relevant and legitimate to the subject at hand 2. Empathy: demonstrating an understanding of another persons point of view 3. Presentness: willingness to become fully involved with another person by taking time, avoiding distractions 4. Equality: treating conversational partners as peers regardless of the status differences that separate them 5. Supportiveness: encouraging the other participants in a conversation to communicate by praising their worth while efforts

6 Guidelines for Effective Communication

1. Develop an other-centered focus 2. Engage in appropriate turn taking 3. Maintain conversational coherence 4. Practice politeness and face-shaving 5. Protect privacy 6. Engage in ethical dialogue

5 Ways to Open a Conversation

1. Introduce yourself 2. Refer to the physical context 3. Ask an actual question 4. Refer to another person 5. Use humor or a light-hearted remark

4 Ways to Close a Conversation

1. Notice and use leave-taking cues 2. Verbalize your desire to end the conversation 3. Ask to see the person again (if appropriate) 4. Close with a brief stock message

5 Characteristics of Conversations

1. Purpose: what the conversation is intended to do 2. Sequence: use turn taking and scriptedness 3. Tone: how formal is the conversation 4. Participants: intended or unintended audience 5. Setting: where it takes place

2 Types of Conversations

1. Small Talk: focused on inconsequential topics such as the weather 2. Gossip: talking about others who are not present for the conversation

5 Aspects of Sustaining a Conversation

1. Use free information: information volunteered during conversation 2. Ask Questions: open or close ended 3. Seek out topics of interest to the other person 4. Self-disclose appropriately 5. Actively Listen

What is the Structure of Conversations?

Beginning, Middle and Ending

Cultural Variations in Conversations

Low Context Cultures: "certainly, absolutely," relevant comments that are directly to the point, speaking one's mind and silence is uncomfortable High Context Cultures: "maybe, perhaps," indirect, less relevant comments, create harmony, silence indicates truth, embarrassment or disagreement

Conversations

an interactive, locally managed, sequentially organized and extemporaneous interchange of thoughts and feelings between two or more people