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Interpersonal Communication
WEEK #7
EMOTIONS AND COMMUNICATION
READING ASSIGNMENT:
Text: Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters, Julia T. Wood
Read Chapter 7, Emotions and Communication (pages 213-243)
I think for the most part we live in a non-feeling world. Yes, we all feel, but our western culture has for the most part successfully separated our heads from our bodies! This chapter is a wonderful one in which to explore the fascinating world of feelings and their part in the interpersonal communication process. I hope that you will be aware of your own feelings as you go through this week. Notice what you feel!
Try this exercise: when you go to bed at night, think back on your day. See if you can remember the range of feelings that you experienced. Which ones opened your heart? Which ones closed them? Did you experience anger? What was the predominate feeling of your day? Doing this exercise on a regular basis will help you learn, and begin to trust, the immense range of feelings that human beings are capable of. It’s what gives life its flavor!
As a culture, we’re beginning to come back to feelings and integrate them with our capacity to physically sense and mentally think. I think that’s a good sign. See what you think after reading the chapter and doing the exercises. Talk about it in your chat room. Email me some of your thoughts and have a great week!
Jane
Check here for any new messages.
7th LEARNING QUIZ
Copy this quiz and email me your responses:
1. Take the EQ test on page 215. (If you’re interested in learning more about EQ or Emotional Intelligence, read Daniel Goleman’s book Emotional Intelligence.) Submit the results. (For some of you, doing a research project and presentation on EQ might be something you're interested in.)
2. Use the "Identify Your Emotions" checklist on page 217 of your text. What emotions are you comfortable with? Do you know why you are not comfortable with the others? Write about emotions and their place in your family and upbringing.
3. Do you perceive fear as a gift? Gavin de Becker does in his book The Gift of Fear. What does he have to say about fear and why it is a gift? Write about an experience of fear and what you learned from it.
4. On page 226, Hochschild refers to "the pinch." What is the pinch? Have you ever experienced "the pinch" in your life? Explain:
5. Write about one of the obstacles to effective communication of emotions. How has this obstacle been experienced in your life?
6. List the guidelines for communicating emotions effectively. Take an emotional experience in your life that you have had this week and go through the guidelines.
7th COMMUNICATION JOURNAL: Email me your journal.
Describe the framing and feeling rules that operated in your family. Explain when you were allowed to feel certain emotions and which emotions were accepted in specific situations.
How did you learn which emotions it was acceptable for you to express? Do you think what you were taught reflects gender expectations?
Tell me about the range of feelings you experienced this week. What ones were you comfortable with. Where there any you were uncomfortable with? Why?
EMAIL YOUR INSTRUCTOR WITH ANY QUESTIONS:
7th DISCUSSION ROOM:
Check this site each week for a posted topic. You will need to respond to the topic at least once during the week.
COMMUNITY GROUPS CHAT ROOM
How are you doing on your research project? Not too much time left. Use your chat room time to help your group plan and communicate about your presentation.