Reclaiming Communication

This article focuses on the history of the ecumenical discussion on communication, as reflected in the assemblies of the World Council of Churches (WCC). It examines, in particular, the communication statements that emerged from the WCC assemblies in Uppsala in 1968 and in Vancouver in 1983, as well as the more tentative moves at the Harare assembly of 1998 to develop an understanding of communication as an integral part of an “ecumenical space.” The article goes on to argue that the changing perspectives manifested at these assemblies, each 15 years apart, were linked to changing paradigms of social and theological reflection that were themselves the product of economic and political transformation. Finally, the article considers how the insights gained can be brought to bear on the challenges presented by digital transformation.     

启蒙式沟通

无过错纠纷在所有医疗纠纷中占比过半,原因在于医患沟通的失误,本质在于医患双方知识结构和社会阅历存在巨大差异.其危害性大于医疗事故,容易导致医患两个群体间的情绪对立.本文结合临床实际提出“启蒙式沟通”是杜绝此类纠纷的有效方法,并阐述了常用的实施方式.     

Primary Process Communication

An unorthodox view of the function of primary process is presented with a view to enlarge, rather than diminish Freudian assumptions. One of the basic tenets of Freudian hypothesis was the supposed lack of influence of outside experience upon primary process functions. Yet we see demonstrated on a daily basis that primary process cognition is at work in any human interaction or experience. The mental structures of the self in interaction with the nonself is constantly monitored, added to, or subtracted from during contact with others. It is a prereflective mode that does not immediately rise into awareness. We give meaning to all interactions without necessarily reflecting upon them or even clarifying them to ourselves. Without allowing for such meaning to be integrated, we would lose or misinterpret large portions of our daily interactions. Flaws in communication occur every day and are demonstrable particularly in therapy when therapists are not attuned to their patients' emotional needs. It is demonstrated that nonverbal avoidance behavior of disturbed infants is the precursor for disturbed object relations of adults. Therefore, it makes no sense to interpret unconscious meanings—there are none. The difficulty lies in the inter-subjective realm and serves defensive modes. However, if patients present an inauthentic self, it is often difficult to decide if one is indeed in the presence of such a maimed self. The therapist's countertransference aids in detecting inaulhenticity. Ever-present, unconscious meaning analysis must be brought into consciousness by the therapist in order to further the therapeutic process.     

Communication in Infancy

The ability to communicate, to share information about intentions, thoughts, and feelings with others and with one's self, is a unique and necessary capacity of humans. In this paper, I summarize a large body of research and observation that helps to explain the development of communication in infancy. Babies are “bathed” in the chatter of their mothers. This provides infants and toddlers entry into the symbolic realm when a full range of communication—preverbal, gestural, imagistic, and the syntactic and metaphoric use of language—is gradually developed and integrated.     

言语沟通与非言语沟通:概念厘定与相互作用分析

对言语沟通与非言语沟通领域中存在的各种复杂、容易混淆的现象进行了分析与厘清,对言语沟通与非言语沟通之间的质性差异与区别进行了深入剖析,对两种沟通方式传递信息的契合情况和相互作用进行了论述。重新界定与表述了言语沟通与非言语沟通之间的基本概念及其相互关系,澄清了以往对言语沟通与非言语沟通中存在的模糊认识,探讨了两种沟通方式传播信息的契合性对沟通效果的影响。文章的分析与论述对于重新认识言语沟通与非言语沟通领域中的基本理论问题,客观准确地把握两种沟通方式的本质及其相互作用的特点,规范当前社会心理学教科书有关内容的表述是一种积极的探索。     

Computer-Mediated Communication Versus Vocal Communication and the Attenuation of Pre-Interaction Impressions

Conflicting theoretical approaches yield divergent predictions about the effects of telephones versus computer-mediated communication (CMC) in the persistence or dissipation of pre-interaction expectancies. Moreover, different theoretical orientations and their underlying assumptions often invoke different methodologies, which can bias the results of research. The current studies articulate and assess rival hypotheses from alternative theoretical paradigms to uncover how CMC and vocal communication affect interpersonal impressions. Methodological issues in past CMC research are evaluated that limit the generalizability of previous findings in the area. Experiments employing alternative assumptions and methods indicate that CMC is functionally equivalent to vocal communication in its ability to ameliorate expectancies and that in some cases it can be superior in transmitting positive impressions.     

Effects of Communication Expectancies,Actual Communication,and Expectancy Disconfirmation on Evaluations of Communicators and Their Communication Behavior

The current investigation addressed (a) the perseverance of preinteraction expectancies in the face of actual communication behavior, (b) the separate effects of personal attribute and communication expectancies, and (c) the role of expectancy confirmation or disconfirmation on postinteraction evaluations. Participant perceivers were induced to hold positive or negative expectancies regarding a target partner's general personal attributes and specific communication behavior prior to a problem-solving discussion. They then interacted with a confederate target who communicated in a pleasant, involved fashion or its opposite, after which perceivers evaluated target personal attributes and communication behavior. All three hypotheses received at least partial support. Preinteractional expectancies, especially personal attribute ones, caused perceivers to evaluate targets and their communication behavior differently, with negatively valenced expectancies serving as negative violations. Relative to a pleasant, involved communication style, unpleasant, uninvolved communication was less expected and evaluated negatively, thus functioning as a negative violation; it also reduced credibility, attraction, and perceived rewardingness of the target. Finally, disconfirmatory communication altered target evaluations relative to confirmatory communication, especially for high-valence targets. These results lend support to the premises and predictions of expectancy violations theory.