Original Post

In a 250-300 word post, discuss ways in which nonverbal communication, i.e. tone of voice, demeanor, gestures, age, race, gender and social class, can completely change the meaning of the words being spoken. What is the risk of miscommunication in using electronic sources? Provide two specific examples, and describe the different outcomes. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.

Guidance, please respond to 2 classmates with 100 words each response:

Classmate #1 Emily Williamson

Nonverbal Communication

How can nonverbal communication completely change the meaning of words spoken?

Firstly, “because nonverbal communication never ceases, there is great danger that a worker may be communicating contradictory messages” (Levine, 2013, p. 86). While words spoken have meaning, they have a deeper meaning when expressed. An expression is easy to understand through nonverbal communication. “Nonverbal messages are conveyed through the person and the setting. Age, gender, race, speech, personal appearance-physique, posture, body odor, tone of voice, gestures or movements, eye contact, touch, body sounds- all convey messages to the receiver, as does the physical setting- it is appearance, aesthetic quality, comfort and privacy (or lack of them), and general climate” (Levine, 2013, p. 87). In a variety of circumstances, with a variety of clients, it is possible to create further confusion rather than assistance.

What is the risk of miscommunication in using electronic sources?

The significant risk of miscommunication when using electronic sources is the lack of verbal communication or slang, gestures and demeanor, and unknown facial expressions. When someone is altering a phrase, and they say something thoughtful; if the person does not see the facial expression, expansion of arms, or comfortable eyes when mentioning something important. The listener may likely misconstrue the meaning or importance that the service worker is implementing. Since “trial and error have shown the importance of thoughtfully developing a strategy for using this technology that reflects the mission, goals, and resources of the people or organizations. Otherwise, confusion, misuse, and frustration can derail the best-intended efforts to support a worthwhile cause, an organization, or a person seeking political office” (Levine, 2013, p. 91).

Example 1: Social worker Clara is meeting with her client James. James has previously been assigned counseling sessions due to his anger management issues. Years have passed by, but he chose to revisit Clara because he is uncomfortable speaking to anyone else about his conditions. Clara issues a teleconference with James, although with the spotty connection, he asks to please meet in person. Clara explains to James that she cannot meet him in person because of his previous counseling sessions. Without seeing Clara physically, James takes the response in anger. He does not realize that she cannot meet a former client under certain circumstances. The reception is spotty, and he does not hear an apology. James suffers from emotional anger in negotiations or adverse interests. He did not get what he wanted and is likely to react on impulse. “The interpersonal effects of anger are determined by people’s information processing tendencies and the justifiability of the anger expressions” (Harinck, & Van Kleef, 2012, p. 748). James may make an irresponsible choice, and from previous treatment, Clara will have to understand that this is an uncontrollable cognitive function. He may be in more trouble.

Outcome- Clara is apologetic and concerned for James. She begins to wonder how she can locate further assistance for his needs. James begins to grow angry, and before Clara has a chance to reach out with more information or possibilities, he is on his way to her office and ready to argue. With the ability to converse through visual communication or in-person, the whole scenario could have been easily handled for the benefit of the service worker and the client.

Example 2: Service worker Michael is informing the police of neglect and physical abuse of an underage patient in his office. The child, Joey, is almost 12 years old and understands that hiding the truth is only making the relationship with his father worse. After two years of counseling, the child hit a breaking point and developed a willingness to help himself. The child lifts his shirt to show the worker the scars, bruises, cuts, and misplaced bones that have not been appropriately set after a break. Joey is in tears, nervous, and continuing to stutter while trying to save himself and his father. He blames the alcohol, the drugs, and the random girlfriends, but never his father. In an expression of anger and despair, Michael is shocked to see Joey this way. In the many years, he has known Joey to excel in school, enjoy music, and participate in city activities and volunteer work outside of his home. As the service worker, Michael contemplates the new information and reinforces the previous visits; he realizes he has failed Joey. Michael cannot respond immediately, and there is a long moment of silence.

Outcome- Michael immediately informs the police. Joey is worried about this long silence and becomes apprehensive, nervous, anxious, regretful. Joey has mentioned slight bits of rage and hostility from his father, but Michael has not been able to put each of the pieces together to prevent this from happening. “Silence can create great anxiety and be interpreted as an expression of hostility-thus, workers must be particularly aware of and knowledgeable about the needs of their clients in they choose to employ silence as a means of communication or as a technique” (Levine, 2013, p. 88). Michael is waiting for Joey’s response and looking at him, waiting for a response about why he had waited so long to tell him about his father. Joey’s father is now under arrest, and Joey is transitioning into foster care, moves to a different city and loses his ability to volunteer, becomes depressed losing the last family tie he had, and becomes angry and irritated that he could do such a thing to his father. Throughout Joey’s life, he never returns to see a service provider or any counseling group, and he holds the resentment towards Michael for breaking apart his family. “More children in foster care need mental health services compared to children in the general population” (McNichol & Tash, 2001, p. 252), which leaves Joey at an even greater risk of becoming a substance abuser, aggressive, and behaviorally disturbed later in life.

References:

Harinck, F. & Van Kleef, G. A. (2012). Be hard on the interests and soft on the values: Conflict issue moderates the effects of anger in negotiations. British journal of psychology. 51(4), 741-752. Retrieved from: http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford….

Levine, J. (2013). Working with people: the helping process. (9th Ed). [Electronic Version]. Retrieved from: https://redshelf.com

McNichol, T. & Tash, C. (2001). Parental substance abuse and the development of children in family foster care. Child welfare. 80(2), 239-256. Retrieved from: http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford….

Classmate #2 Tiombara Ross

Week Two: Discussion 2

In communication, there has to be a sender and a receiver, without either of those, there is no communication (Levine, 2013). Nonverbal communication can cause issues between individuals who are trying to communicate because the sender could say the message in a tone that may not be appealing to the receiver. The message could come across as rude to the receiver, and that may not have been the sender’s intentions. Nonverbal communication could be viewed differently if someone is communicating that are from different cultures, different genders, and various social classes. The reason nonverbal communication may not be useful is that there could be a language barrier. One gender may think the other one does not understand where they are coming from because they may not have dealt with specific issues.

Miscommunication can happen if you are sending an email out to other coworkers or staff, letting them know their assignments for the week. You are typing the email in a happy mood, but the receivers read it as if you were bossy and rude. I have dealt with this type of behavior before because I am a supervisor, and I correspond with my staff a lot through email. I sometimes have to read the email three times before sending it. Miscommunication can also happen if you are talking on the phone, and you say something that was meant to be funny, but since the receiver cannot see your facial expressions, they do not get the joke and becomes angry. Miscommunication between individuals can be avoided, but if someone ends up in a situation where something they said was taking the wrong way, just apologize and try not to make the same mistake twice.

Reference

Levine, J. (2013). Working with People: The Helping Process (9th ed.). Retrieved from https://redshelf.com/