Chapter 36 - Conflict

The last subject that I will be blogging about from chapter 36 is conflict. It still strikes me oddly that healthy communication can make conflict productive. It has to do with my upbringing and how conflict was imbedded in my mind as something negative. Maybe it has something to do with Kramarae’s muted group theory. I am a female and this theory states (Griffin, 2008), that women are a marginalized group and are kept on the margins of society through unjust communication practices” (p. 482). I have to say, my interaction with others reflects Collin’s standpoint theory, “any women who refuses to join into the discussion is cheating, especially if she really disagrees with what’s been said” (Griffin, 2008, p.482). I can see how this can create productive conflict because the other side is being addressed.

Chapter 36 - Expectation

Expectation found in chapter 36 is defined as, “In human interaction, our anticipation of how others will act or react toward us” (Griffin, 2008, pg. 476). There are several threads that are included in expectation. The expectancy theory which is, “what we anticipate will happen rather than what we desire” is the first thread mentioned (Griffin, 2008, pg. 476). Also mentioned are the interaction adaptation theory, social exchange theory, symbolic interactionism, uncertainty reduction theory, social information processing theory, and cultivation theory. I find it amazing that all of these theories have the common factor of expectation but as we learned about these theories we can see how they intertwine. The theory that I identify with the most is expectancy violations theory. I tend to anticipate how an interaction will occur instead of how I desire. If the interaction does not go as I anticipated it causes me to react even if it was how I would have desire the encounter.

Chapter 36 - Self-Image

I wanted to comment on the self-image section found in chapter 36. Griffin identifies self-image as, “Identity; a mental picture of who I see myself to be – greatly influenced by the way others respond to me”. The threads to this theory are symbolic interactionism, coordinated management of meaning, and cognitive dissonance. Also to address culture and identity there are the theories of face-negotiation, communication accommodation, and speech codes. There is a chart on page 484 that displays the threads of each theory and it really makes it easier to see the threads that integrate the theories. For instance, if you looked at the chart you would be able to determine that all six of the theories listed above fall under self-image. You should take a look, if you haven’t already.