Real Communication An Introduction

Using Macmillans highly touted Achieve to deliver superior content online, Real Communication continues to prove its reputation as the most current human communication text available. This new edition provides today’s students with the critical skills they now need most: to be able to objectively encounter increasingly digital communication contexts, examine the theory and concepts underpinning them, and competently respond in a professional, healthy, and intentional way.

Utilizing a social-scientific approach to communication, the text uses engaging stories which work as small case studies that students learn to see and analyze as communication situations, discovering theory played out in practice. Authored by a leading team of communication scholars and instructors, this authoritative text helps students become social scientists in communication to confront and adapt to the challenges of today’s digital age.

Real Communication is also available with Achieve, Macmillan’s customizable online course space, which makes it easier than ever to build a powerful, virtual learning experience for your course. LaunchPad includes the full e-book, Video Assessment powered by GoReact, LearningCurve adaptive quizzing, auto-scored chapter quizzes, and a vivid suite of videos focused on communication concepts.

Part One. Basic Communication Processes
Chapter 1. Communication: Essential Human Behavior
           We Must Communicate: Functions Essential to Living
                       Expressing Affiliation
                       Managing Relationships
                       Influencing Others
            How We Communicate
                       Communication Is Symbolic
                       Real Communicatior: Real communicator — what job will you hold?
                       Communication Requires a Shared Code
                       Communication Is Linked to Culture
                       Communication Can Be Unintentional
                       Communication Occurs through Various Channels
                       Communication Is Transactional
                       Assessing Communicative Value
           Communicating Competently
                       Competent Communication is Process-Oriented
                       Competent Communication is Appropriate and Effective
                       Competent Communication Involves Ethical Decisions
                       Competent Communication Involves Communication Skills
                       Competent Communication Involves Using Technology
                       Wireless Communications: Email Etiquette: How Not to Communicate with Your Professor
           Modeling Communications
                       The Linear Model 
                       The Interaction Model 
                       The Competent Communication Model 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Friends Who Have More or Less than You
            The Study of Communication 
                       Communication Across Cultures: The Boko Haram Girls
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool

Chapter 2. Communicating in a Digital Age
           Digital Origins
                       Then and Now
                       Ongoing Dynamic Changes
           Qualities of Digital Channels
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: The Distracted Notetaker
                       Synchronicity of Messages
                       Media Richness and Naturalness
                       Message Privacy and Control
                       Communication Across Cultures: Mobile Apps Compete for World Influence
                       Message Privacy and Control
           The Power of the Crowd
                       Information Sharing
                       Social Support
                       Social Causes
                       Real Communicator: Heather Wight
           Overcoming Digital Challenges
                       Digital Disparities
                       Feeding Insecurities and Obsessions
                       Wired for Communication: Who I Am: Selfies as Visual Conversation, Self-Promotion and Identity
                       Cyber Attacks
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool

Chapter 4. Verbal Communication
           The Nature of Language
                       Language Is Symbolic 
                       Thought Informs Language 
                       Language Is Ruled by Grammar 
           The Functions of Language 
                       Using Language as a Means of Control
                       Using Language to Share Information 
                       Using Language to Express Feelings 
                       Using Language to Express Creativity 
                       Using Language as Ritual 
           Language and Meaning 
                       Words Have Multiple Meanings 
                       Abstraction 
           Problematic Uses of Language 
                       Hateful and Hurtful Language 
                       Labeling 
                       Biased Language 
                       Profanity and Civility 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Job Application Language
           Language is Bound by Context 
                       Situational Context 
                       Relational Context 
                       Communication Across Cultures: Racist Hats and Drums?  
                       Cultural Context 
                       Wired for Communication: Speaking in Code
                       Real Communicator: Scott Carper
                       Mediated Contexts  
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool 

Chapter 5. Nonverbal Communication
           The Nature of Nonverbal Communication 
                       Nonverbal Behavior Is Communicative 
                       Nonverbal Communication Can be Intentional and Unintentional 
                       Nonverbal Communication Is Ambiguous 
                       People Trust Nonverbal Communication More Than Verbal Communication
           Functions of Nonverbal Communication 
                       Reinforcing Verbal Messages 
                       Substituting for Verbal Messages 
                       Contradicting Verbal Messages 
                       Managing Impressions and Regulating Interactions 
                       Creating Immediacy 
                       Deceiving Others 
           Nonverbal Communication Codes 
                       Gestures and Body Movements 
                       Real Communicator: Octavia Spencer 
                       Facial Expressions 
                       Eye Behavior 
                       Voice 
                       Physical Appearance
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: The Job Killer Tat 
                       Touch 
                       Space and Environment 
                       Time 
           Influences on Nonverbal Communication 
                       Culture and Nonverbal Communication 
                       Communication Across Cultures: What Nurses Wear 
                       Mediated Nonverbal Communication 
                       Wireless Communication: War Games Without Weapons, Sometimes Without Words 
                       The Situational Context 
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Chapter 6. Communication and Culture
           Understanding Culture 
                       Culture Is Learned 
                       Culture Is Expressed Through Communication 
                       Intercultural Communication Matters 
           Communication and Cultural Variations 
                       High- and Low-Context Cultures 
                       Real Communicator: Tanya Higuera
                       Collectivist and Individualist Orientations 
                       Approaches to Power Distance 
                       Flexible and Stable Self-Concepts 
                       Time Orientation 
                       Value of Emotional Expression  
           Understanding Group Affiliations 
                       Co-Cultural Communication
                       Social Identity and Intergroup Communication 
                       Wireless Communication: Online Gamers: Women are Hard-core, Too 
                       Communication Across Cultures: The It Gets Better Project
           Intercultural Communication Challenges 
                       Anxiety 
                       Ethnocentrism 
                       Discrimination 
           Improving Intercultural Communication 
                       Mindfulness
                       Openness to Other Cultures 
                       Effective Intergroup Contact 
                       Appropriate Accommodation
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: That Is Not Impossible Meat
                       Practice Using Your Skills 
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool 

Chapter 7. Listening
           The Listening Process
                       Hearing Versus Listening
                      The Components of Listening
                       Real Communicator: Tammy Lin
                       The Listening Process 
                       Communication Across Cultures: A Quick Lesson in Deaf Etiquette 
                       Listening Fidelity  
           Listening to Meet Goals 
                       Relational Listening
                       Task-Oriented Listening
                       Analytical Listening
                       Critical Listening
                       Social Listening  
           Listening Challenges 
                       Negative Attitudes
                       Environmental Factors 
                       Biological Factors
           Ineffective Listening
                       Defensive Listening 
                       Biased Listening 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Listening When You’re Sick of Hearing
                       Self-Absorbed Listening 
                       Pseudolistening 
           Improving Your Listening 
                      The Situational Context
                       Wireless Communication: The Quiet Zone
           Listening for Success
                      Effective Listening 
                      Effective Listening Saves Time and Money
                      Effective Listening Creates Opportunities
                      Effective Listening Strengthens Relationships 
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool 

Part Two. Interpersonal Communication
Chapter 8. Developing and Maintaining Relationships
           Types of Interpersonal Relationships 
                       Family Relationships 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Money, Family, and Paying the Bills 
                       Friendship and Social Relationships 
                       Romantic Relationships 
                       Online and Mediated Relationships 
                       Wireless Communication: Is This Relationship Real? 
           Why We Form Relationships 
                       Proximity 
                       Attractive Qualities 
                       Similarity 
                       Personal and Social Needs 
           Managing Relationship Dynamics 
                       Costs and Rewards 
                       What About You? Assessing the Costs and Rewards of a Relationship 
                       Reducing Uncertainty 
                       Dialectical Tensions 
           Self-Disclosure and Interpersonal Relationships 
                       Social Penetration  
                       Managing Privacy 
                       Strategic Topic Avoidance 
                       Real Communicator: May Hui 
           Stages of a Relationship 
                       Initiating Stage 
                       Exploratory Stage 
                       Intensification Stage 
                       Stable Stage 
                       Declining Stage 
                       Repair Stage 
                       Termination Stage 
                       Communication Across Cultures: Grieving Relationships
                       Reconciliation 
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool

Chapter 9. Managing Conflict in Relationships
           Understanding Conflict 
                       Unproductive Conflict 
                       Productive Conflict 
           Conflict Triggers 
                       Inaccurate Perceptions 
                       Perceived Incompatible Goals
                       Relational Transgressions 
                       Provocation 
           Factors Affecting Conflict 
                       Power Dynamics 
                       Attitudes Toward Conflict 
                       Communication Climate 
                       Culture and Conflict 
                       Communication Channel 
                       Wireless Communication: When Conflict Goes Viral 
           Strategies for Managing Conflict
                       Escapist Strategies 
                       Competitive Strategies 
                       Communication Across Cultures: Yours, Mine, and Both of Ours 
                       Cooperative Strategies 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: The Accidental Relationship Counselor
                       What About You? Self-Assessment on Conflict Management Styles 
           Reconciliation 
                       Apology 
                       Forgiveness 
                       Real Communicator: Nicole Becker, Psy D.
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool 

Part Three. Group and Organizational Communication
Chapter 10. Communicating in Groups
           Understanding Groups 
                       Characteristics of Groups 
                       Types of Groups 
                       Wirelessr Communication: Smart Mobs: What Flash Mobs and Political Protests Have in Common 
                       Models of Group Development 
                       Real Communicator: Bambi Francisco Roizen 
                       Size of Groups 
                       The Formation of Cliques 
                       Social Loafing 
                       Group Networks 
           Understanding Group Roles 
                       Task Roles 
                       Social Roles 
                       Antigroup Roles 
                       Role Conflict 
                       Status 
           Group Climate 
                       Cohesion 
                       Communication Across Cultures: The International American Pastime 
                       Norms 
                       Clarity of Goals 
                       Individual Differences 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Sketchy Behavior 
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Chapter 11. Leadership and Decision Making in Groups
           Understanding Group Leadership 
                       Sources of Power 
                       Shared Leadership 
                       Group Leadership Behavior 
                       Communication Across Cultures: Gender Judo 
                       Leadership Qualities 
                       What About You? What Type of Leader Are You? 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Leading the Interns
                       Unethical Leadership 
                       Culture and Group Leadership 
           Decision Making in Groups 
                       Groupthink 
                       The Problem-Solving Process 
           Leadership in Meetings 
                       Planning Meetings Effectively 
                       Managing Meetings Effectively 
                       Real Communicator: Aaron Tolson 
                       Using Meeting Technology Effectively 
                       Wireless Communication: Robots are here to stay 
           Evaluating Group Performance 
                       Informational Considerations 
                       Procedural Effectiveness 
                       Interpersonal Performance 
                       Individual Performance
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Chapter 12. Communicating in Organizations
           Approaches to Managing Organizations 
                       Classical Management Approach 
                       Human Relations Approach 
                       Human Resources Approach 
                       The Systems Approach 
           Communicating Organizational Culture 
                       Organizational Storytelling 
                       Learning About Organizational Culture 
                       Real Communicator: Cathy Black
           Relational Contexts in Organizations 
                       Supervisor-Supervisee Relationships 
                       Mentor–Mentee Relationships 
                       Peer Relationships 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: More Than Friends at Work 
           Organizational Challenges
                       Workplace Conflict 
                       Using Technology 
                       Wired for Communication: Working Here, There, and Everywhere 
                       Globalization 
                       Communication Across Cultures: Work–Life Balance: Around the Globe and Around the Block 
                       Work–Life Balance  
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Part Four. Public Speaking
Chapter 13. Preparing and Researching Presentations
           The Power of Public Speaking 
           Clarify the General Purpose of Your Speech 
                       Informative Speeches 
                       Persuasive Speeches 
                       Special-Occasion Speeches 
           Analyze Your Audience 
                       Considering Audience Expectations and Situational Factors
                       Considering Audience Demographics and Psychographics Anticipating Your Audience’s Response 
                       Anticipating Your Audience's Response
           Choose Your Topic 
                       Real Communicator: Matt Schermerhorn 
                       Finding a Topic That Intrigues You 
                       Brainstorming and Clustering
                       Narrowing Your Topic 
                       Determining the Specific Purpose of Your Speech 
                       Developing a Thesis Statement 
           Research the Topic 
                       Types of Information to Consider 
                       Communication Across Cultures: Human Trafficking: Art, Survival, and Advocacy 
                       Finding Supporting Material 
                       Wireless Communication: The Library in the Sky 
                       Evaluating Supporting Material 
           Ethical Speaking: Take Responsibility for Your Speech 
                       Recognizing Plagiarism 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Didn’t I Already Say That?
                       Taking Accurate Notes 
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Chapter 14. Organizing, Writing and Outlining Presentations
           Organizing Your Speech Points 
                       Identifying Your Main Points 
                       Supporting Your Main Points
                       Arranging Your Points 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: The Ethics of Using Research 
                       Connecting Your Points 
                       Communication Across Cultures: Evidence, Popular Culture, and the “CSI Effect” 
           Using Language That Works 
                       Respect Your Audience 
                       Keep It Simple 
                       Use Vivid Language 
                       Incorporate Repetition, Allusion, and Comparisons 
           Crafting a Strong Introduction 
                       Capture Your Audience’s Attention 
                       Introduce Your Purpose and Thesis 
                       Preview Your Main Points 
                       Connect with Your Audience 
           Crafting a Strong Conclusion 
                       Signal the End 
                       Reinforce Your Topic, Purpose, and Main Points 
                       Make an Impact
                       Real Communicator: Mark Weinfeld 
                       Challenge the Audience to Respond 
           Outlining Your Speech 
                       Essentials of Outlining 
                       Wireless Communication: Bullets on the Brain 
                       Styles of Outlines 
                       From Preparation Outline to Speaking Outline 
                       What About You? Assessing Your Outlining Skills 
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Chapter 15. Delivering Presentations
           Understand and Address Anxiety 
                       Identify Anxiety Triggers 
                       Relax and Prepare Mentally
                       Build Your Confidence 
                       Wireless Communication: Face Your Public Speaking Fears in Virtual Reality 
           Methods of Delivery 
                       Speaking from Manuscript 
                       Speaking from Memory 
                       Speaking Spontaneously
                       Speaking Extemporaneously 
           Guidelines for Effective Delivery 
                       Effective Vocal Delivery 
                       Effective Visual Delivery 
                       Communication Across Cultures: You Sound Like You’re From . . .
                       Connecting with Your Audience 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Judging Speeches 
                       Additional Guidelines for Online Speech Delivery                       
                       Real Communicator: Tonya Graves 
           Effective Presentation Aids 
                       The Function of Presentation Aids 
                       Types of Presentation Aids 
           Practicing Your Speech 
                       Remember Your Speaking Outline 
                       Practice Using Presentation Aids 
                       Simulate the Situation 
                       Practice Your Delivery 
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool 

Chapter 16. Informative Speaking
           The Goals of Informative Speaking  
                       Meeting the Audience’s Informational Needs  
                       Informing, Not Persuading 
                       Speaking Appropriately and Ethically  
           Topics for Informative Presentations 
                       People 
                       Places 
                       Communication Across Cultures: Let’s Talk About Sex 
                       Events
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Ulterior Motives 
                       Processes 
                       Concepts 
                       Issues 
                       Plans and Policies 
           Approaches to Conveying Information 
                       Description 
                       Demonstration 
                       Wireless Communication: Talk Amongst Yourselves 
                       Definition 
                       Explanation 
           Guidelines for Informative Speeches
                       Create Information Hunger
                       Satisfy Audience Hunger
                       Real Communicator: K. C. Ellis 
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool

Chapter 17. Persuasive Speaking
           The Goals of Persuasive Speaking 
                       Developing a Persuasive Topic and Thesis 
                       Propositions of Fact  
                       Propositions of Value 
                       Propositions of Policy 
           Understanding Your Audience 
                       Your Audience’s Existing Attitudes
                       Your Audience’s Readiness to Change
                       Your Audience’s Needs
                       Your Audience’s Motivation and Interest
                       Wireless Communication: Interactive Advertising: Persuasion for a Generation Z Audience 
           Strategies for Persuasive Speaking 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Sensitivity or Free Speech? 
                       Logos 
                       Communication Across Cultures: Persuading Across Borders 
                       Pathos 
           Avoiding Logical Fallacies 
                       Bandwagoning
                       Reduction to the Absurd
                       Red Herring
                       Personal Attack
                       Hasty Generalizations
                       Begging the Question
                       Either–or Fallacy
                       Appeal to Tradition
                       The Slippery Slope
                       The Naturalistic Fallacy 
                       Real Communicator: Katie McGill 
           Organizing Patterns in Persuasive Speaking 
                       Problem–Solution Pattern 
                       Refutational Organizational Pattern 
                       Comparative Advantage Pattern 
                       Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
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Appendix A. Competent Interviewing 
           The Nature of Interviews 
           Types of Interviews
                       Information-Gathering Interviews 
                       Persuasive Interviews 
                       Selection Interviews 
                       Performance Appraisal Interviews 
                       Exit Interviews 
           Interview Format 
                       The Opening
                       The Questions 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Surveys: Interviewing at Large 
                       The Conclusion
                       Real Communicator: Cynthia Guadalupe Inda 
           Roles and Responsibilities in Interviews 
                       Interviewer Responsibilities 
                       Interviewee Responsibilities
                       Shared Responsibilities 
           The Job Interview 
                       Communication Across Cultures: Cultural Competence in Social Work
                       Getting the Interview 
                       Wireless Communication: Pre-Presenting Yourself: Your Online
                       Conducting the Interview
                       Following Up After the Interview
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool 

Appendix B. Mass and Mediated Communication
           The Nature of Mass Media 
                       Types of Mass Communication 
                       The Pervasiveness of Media
           Understanding Mass Media Messages 
                       The Business of Media 
                       Wireless Communication: New Life Through Digital Media 
                       Free Speech and Media Bias 
                       Communication Across Cultures: The Sesame Effect 
           Effects of Mass Media 
                       Selectivity and the Active Audience 
                       Influences on Attitudes and Behaviors 
           Mass Communication in a Digital Age
                       Mass Self-Communication 
                       Evaluating Communication Ethics: Marketing for a Better Band
                       Media Personalization 
                       Ineffective Participation 
           Competent Media Consumers
                       Monitor Your Media Use and Exposure 
                       Consider the Source of Media Messages 
                       Be Aware of Media Effects 
                       Understand the Grammar of Media 
                       Real Communicator: Molly Ludwig
                       Actively Evaluate Media Messages 
           REAL REFERENCE: A Study Tool 
   

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