Compare and contrast verbal and nonverbal communication between you and a close friend of the opposite sex and your relationship between a romantic partner that is the opposite sex. Analyze the extent to which you and the other person follow patterns typical of women and men in general. Describe in detail the communication rules that are established in both relationships. Analyze touch, gaze, vocal inflections, and so on. Analyze why you are romantically attracted to your romantic partner verses your platonic partner.
Please select one of the following topics to discuss in your final paper. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me. You can send me an e-mail or post your question in the general discussion forum. The date and time that this paper is due is listed on the syllabus.
Guidelines for the paper: Your paper must be between 5 and 7 pages long. It must be typed in Times New Roman, double spaced, in a 12 point font. Please SPELLCHECK. I will take off points for careless spelling and grammar errors. Use an acceptable heading for your paper. IE: Your name, Kingwood College, Interpersonal Communications, Date. Go down two more lines, and then center your title. Go three lines and start the body of your paper. Only double space the body of the paper.
Select a topic from the following options. If you have a suggestion for a topic that you would like to write your paper over, please contact me via e-mail. I will consider the option and will possibly approve it.
A. Attend a religious service at your place of worship, as well as in a place of worship that is attended primarily by individuals whose race differs from yours. Do not take notes or otherwise appear disrespectful while you’re in the service, but do observe the communication of both leaders and the congregation. Afterward, analyze how communication (public, interpersonal, and nonverbal) differs in your normal church and the one you attended. Do not attend a church that speaks another language than a language you speak.
B. Compare and contrast verbal and nonverbal communication between you and a close friend of the opposite sex and your relationship between a romantic partner that is the opposite sex. Analyze the extent to which you and the other person follow patterns typical of women and men in general. Describe in detail the communication rules that are established in both relationships. Analyze touch, gaze, vocal inflections, and so on. Analyze why you are romantically attracted to your romantic partner verses your platonic partner.
C. List, describe, and analyze the artifacts and environment of your room. What do these nonverbals communicate about who you are? How does their presence affect your feelings of comfort, identity, and security? What would be different about you if all of your personal artifacts were to suddenly disappeared or be destroyed? (How would you feel if your room was “messy” or neatly organized?
D. Interview a person who is in a career that you envision for yourself. Ask the professional to explain the importance of listening in their profession. Ask the professional to identify the most common listening problems and obstacles in her or his interactions with others. In your paper/presentation, be sure to summarize what your interviewee said and relate her or his observations to principles discussed in the textbook.
E. Identify one relationship in which you feel on-guard and defensive and one relationship in which you feel comfortable and supported. Describe and analyze the communication behaviors in each relationship. To what extent does the defensive and supportive communication behaviors discussed in the text explain the climates of these two relationships? Analyze how the personal backgrounds of yourself and the two individuals may impact the nature of these relationships.
F. Interview a person with a significant physical or mental disability. This person cannot be a member of your immediate family. (parent, sibling, or child) This person must also be at least 16-years-old. Ask them about some of the interpersonal communication challenges that they encounter in their daily lives. In particular, ask them how other people, who do not have a disability, communicate with them. Ask them to describe a supportive relationship that they believe is founded on respect and courtesy, as well as a relationship that is not supportive and lacks in respect. Ask the person to describe how these relationships make him or her feel. Discuss in detail your discoveries, initial perception, and final perception of the person and the conversation.
