Communicating: A Social, Career, and Cultural Focus

This highly-regarded introduction to communication book offers a comprehensive blend of basic communication theory, research, and skills, with a strong emphasis on relationship communication (social), workplace (career), and intercultural communication (culture).   Communicating introduces the basic principles of communication and applies them to interpersonal, group, interviewing, and public speaking contexts.  The book stresses communication competence through boxed material, “Learn by Doing” activities, thought-provoking questions, and self-assessment tests. New and strengthened pedagogy highlights and reinforces the book’s “social, career, and cultural” themes, with a particular emphasis on intercultural communication and communicating in an increasingly high-tech, global environment.

Table of Contents:
I. Foundations of Communication   1. The Human Communication Process Communication Defined The Components of Human Communication Communication as a System Models of Human Communication The Media as Communicator Communication and Culture First Amendment Speech Ethics   2. Foundations of Verbal Language Origins of Human Language The Languages We Use Using Verbal Language   3. Nonverbal Communication Sources of Nonverbal Signs Emotional Influences on Nonverbal Communication Verbal and Nonverbal Relationships Categories of Nonverbal Communication Using Nonverbal Communication   4. Listening The Importance of Listening The Listening Process Listening Influencers Purposes of Listening Listening Apprehension Improving Your Listening   II. Intrapersonal Communication   5. Intrapersonal Communication Self-Talk Cognitive Processing The Self Understanding Yourself Need Drives Affecting Communication Anxiety: Communication Apprehension The Role of Culture in Intrapersonal Communication   III. Interpersonal Communication   6. The Concepts of Interpersonal Communication Basic Concepts of Interpersonal Communication Self-Disclosure The Self and Others Seeking Approval Gaining Compliance Emotions Power Male/Masculine-Female/Feminine Communication Sexual Harassment and Bullying Relationships Electronically Mediated Communication   7. Interpersonal Skills Participating in Conversations Giving Directions Requesting Dealing with Interpersonal Conflict Communication Approaches to Managing Conflict Handling Criticism Apologizing   8. The Interview Interviewing Roles Interview Format Types of Interviews   9. The Concepts of Groups Groups Defined Group Versus Individual Actions Types of Groups Group Operations Decision-Making Techniques Group Setting Mediated Meetings   10. Participating in Groups Cultural Differences in Groups The Group Participant The Group Leader and Group Leadership   IV. Communicating in Public   11. Public Speaking: Planning and Presenting the Message The Listenable Speech Preparing a Speech: An Overview Parameters of Public Speaking The Ethics of Public Speaking Analyzing the Parameters of Speeches Process of the Speech Analysis Post Speech Analysis Modes of Presentation   12. Public Speaking: Developing the Speech Sources of Information Supporting Material Techniques for Presenting Supporting Material Computerized Graphics   13. Public Speaking: Structuring the Message The Basic Elements of a Speech The Introduction The Central Idea The Body Traditional Methods of Arrangement for the Body of a Speech The Conclusion Transition into the Question-and-Answer Session Alternative Methods for Organizing the Speech Role of Culture on Speech Structure   14.  Public Speaking:  Presenting the Message Aspects of Oral and Physical Speech Presentation Use of Visual Aids (including PowerPoint) Public Speaking Anxiety Rehearsing the Speech The Role of Culture on Speech Presentation Dealing with Difficulties during a Speech   15. Informative Public Speaking Role of Informative Speaking Concept of Informative Speaking Characteristics of Informative Speaking Classifications of Informative Speaking Developing the Informative Speech The Informative Process in Action   16. Persuasive Public Speaking Persuasive Speaking Process of Persuasion Persuasive Strategies Role of Influence in Persuasion Components of Persuasive Message The Structure of the Persuasive Message The Persuasive Process in Action   Appendix : The Résumé Basic Rules for APA Style Glossary