Communicating Ethically in Our Everyday Lives

New Publication Coming Soon! When it comes to interpersonal communication ethics, ignorance is not bliss. We learn our ethics, and we can choose to develop, enhance, or modify our behaviors to reflect that type of person we are capable of being in our interactions with others. Communicating Ethically in Our Everyday Lives provides readers with opportunities to pause and reflect on what it means to engage in ethical communication with others.  It defines and explains the relationship between ethics, ethical communication, and ethical interpersonal communication and ultimately helps the reader to identify ethical interpersonal communication in people's verbal and nonverbal messages. Communicating Ethically in Our Everyday Lives provides realistic scenarios and situations throughout to help the reader to apply concepts presented. explains the factors used to assess ethical interpersonal communication. helps the reader to identify ethical interpersonal communication in people's verbal and nonverbal messages.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: The Big Picture: Understanding Interpersonal Communication Ethics Defining Ethical Communication Definitions of Ethics, Ethical Communication, and Ethical Interpersonal Communication Assessing Ethical Reasoning and Ethical Interpersonal Communication Identifying Ethical Communication in Interpersonal Exchanges Verbal Messages Nonverbal Messages Integrating Ethics Into the Interpersonal Communication Process Sender Responsibilities Receiver Responsibilities Communication Channel Decisions Noise/Interference Factors Feedback Considerations Valuing Ethical Interpersonal Communication Personal Reasons for Studying Interpersonal Communication Ethics Societal Reasons for Studying Interpersonal Communication Ethics Chapter 2: The Ultimate Merger: Interpersonal Communication Ethics and Critical Thinking Critical Thinking Framework Defining Critical Thinking Understanding Critical Thinking in the Context of Interpersonal Communication Assessing Critical Thinking and Ethical Interpersonal Communication Shared Features and Limitations of Ethical Interpersonal Communication and Critical Thinking in Communication Exchanges Explanation of Issues Influence of Context and Assumptions Inability to Provide Advance Assessment Knowing Is Not Necessarily Doing Sender/Receiver Decisions Tied to Critical Thinking and Ethical Interpersonal Communication Effectiveness and Appropriateness Ownership of Thoughts and Actions Chapter 3: Who's Ethics? The Formalization and Demonstration of Ethical Guidelines Factors Associated With Formal Ethical Guidelines Purpose Practice and Implementation Enforcement Workplace Indicators of Semi-Formal Ethical Guidelines Mission Statements Personnel Policies and Rules Messages From Leadership Messages From and Between Employee Interpersonal Communication Displays of Personal Ethical Guidelines Religious Beliefs Everyday Ethical Expressions and Philosophies Identifying Ethical Interpersonal Communication Guidelines Using Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking Explicit Messages or Oaths Symbols and Artifacts Individual Verbal and Nonverbal Messages Chapter 4: The Information Dilemma: Building Your Ethical Interpersonal Communication Foundation Managing Information Content Facts Versus Opinions Alternative Facts Versus "Alternative Facts" Real Versus Fake News Managing Information Quantity Information Overload Information Underload Consumption Patterns Managing Information Quality Credibility of Information Information Bias or Leanings Potential Conflicts of Interest Communication Theories That Involve Processing Information Uncertainty Reduction Theory: Managing the Unknown Cognitive Dissonance Theory: Handling Competing Perspectives Elaboration Likelihood Model: Evaluating Issues and Situations Chapter 5: When Technology and Ethics Collide: Electronic Communication Channel Usage and Ethical Interpersonal Communication Factors Influencing Electronic Communication Channel Usage Rich Versus Lean Message Transference Synchronous Versus Asynchronous Considerations Message Permanence and Distribution Personal Accountability and Electronic Communication Channel Usage Message Authorship Enablement Versus Empowerment Boundaries and Limitations Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking Applications for Electronic Communication Channel Usage Utilizing a Goals-Driven Approach Utilizing a Process-Driven Approach Chapter 6: Thinking Ethically Versus Actually Communicating Ethically Aristotle's Three Artistic Proofs Ethos Pathos Logos Three Primary Considerations for Engagement Knowledge Motivation Skills Utilizing Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking for Attaining Outcomes Ethos, Pathos, and Logos Determining Factors Knowledge, Motivation, and Skills-Based Determining Factors Chapter 7: Tolerance Thresholds: Managing Ethical Interpersonal Communication Challenges Factors Associated With Sending Unethical Messages and Message Content Communication Motives Deception Motives—What Prompts Lying Deception Motives—Why We Lie Message Modification Factors Associated With Receiving and Responding to Interpersonal Ethical Challenges Direct Confrontation Truth Biases Denials Ethical Communication Dilemmas and Relational Transgressions Perceptions Associated With Relational Transgressions Responses to Relational Transgressions Incorporating Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking Prior to Sending or Responding to Unethical Messages Things to Remember Prior to Sending Unethical Messages Things to Remember Prior to Responding to Unethical Messages Chapter 8: Failure to Engage: The Act of Doing Nothing What Holds Us Back From Responding to Unethical Messages Fear of Retaliation Apathy Overreacting Overstepping Boundaries What Is Said and Unsaid in Our Responses to Unethical Messages Micro-Level Messages: Individual Complicit Acceptance Meso-Level Messages: The Ripple Effect Macro-Level Messages: What They Say About Society Consequences Associated With Failing to Respond Bullying Societal Deterioration Loss of Conscience Applying Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking When Making Decisions About Ethics-Based Engagement Things to Remember Prior to Engagement Things to Remember If the Choice Is Made to Defer From Engagement Chapter 9: The Aftermath: Dealing With the Unethical Interpersonal Communication Outcomes Factors for Senders of Unethical Messages to Address Dealing With Actual Consequences From Their Actions Guilt, Shame, and Regret Absence of Remorse Factors for Receivers of Unethical Messages to Address Dealing With the Actual Consequences From Others' Actions Revenge and Retaliation Forgiveness and Reconciliation Healing and Recovery The Role of "Face" and Self-Presentation Managing Face When You Are the Sender of Unethical Messages Managing Face When You Are the Receiver of Unethical Messages Other Impression Management Considerations Applying Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking to Move Forward How Senders of Unethical Messages Move Forward How Receivers of Unethical Messages Move Forward Chapter 10: Integrating (More) Ethical Communication Into Daily Interactions Evaluating Your Ethical Interpersonal Communication Messages Self-Awareness Feedback From Others Role of Training in Ethical Interpersonal Communication How Ethical Training Is (or Is Not) Done Future Ethical Training Opportunities Cost–Benefit Analysis for More Ethical Interpersonal Communication Potential Leadership Failures The Need for Courage Kindness Versus Cruelty