COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE AND ETHICS
Two Dimension of Good Communication
• Good ole Communication is Competent Communication
Communication competence is essential to satisfy fundamental human needs (Communication and
survival):
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oSafety – the need to feel protected from dangers, difficulties, and privations that threaten our
physical well-being
oSecurity – the need to feel relationally accepted, cherished, and unconditionally loved by
others
oSelf-efficacy – the need to feel that we’ve impacted our world in a way that makes a difference
through our own unique capabilities
oSignificance – the need to feel appreciated, respected, and esteemed by others for our
worthwhile contributions
Only cooperation accomplished through communication can satisfy our fundamental needs
oIf we don't communicate, then we will die – physically or psychologically
• Core Components of Competent Communication (Spitzberg & Cupach)
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Four prerequisite factors or ingredients for competent communication
oTwo interconnected capabilities:
Knowledge – know what to say
Skill – know how to say it
oTwo interconnected motivations:
Passion – care about what to say
Compassion – care about who it’s said to
Two characteristic outcomes or results of competent communication
oRelational appropriateness – satisfies our expectations
Social expectations – common to cultural context
Interpersonal expectations – unique to relationship
Conflict management expectations – rules of engagement
oContent effectiveness – accomplishes my goals
Instrumental goals – winning your cooperation to achieve what I desire
Self-presentation goals – getting you to see me the way I want to be seen
Relational goals – developing the kind of relationship with you I hope for
• Dual Dimensions of Competently Communicated Messages
Two dimensions of every message: relationship and content
A communicator can focus on neither, either, or both of these dimensions when communicating
Relationship
Content
high
high
low
low
frank
fearful friendly
competent
Practical application – competent communicators think before they speak:
oFrank – think about how our relationship should govern and guide what is said
oFriendly – think about how my goals can be clearly and convincingly articulated
• “Good” Communication is Necessarily Ethical Communication
Because communication is unavoidable . . .
oOne cannot not communicate
Because communication is irrevocable . . .
oA message can’t be reeled back in like a fishing line
Because communication is consequential . . .
oOthers will respond with thoughts, feelings, and/or actions
Therefore, “good” communication is not only communicating well (or competently), but also
communicating ethically (or morally)
• Dialectics of ethical and moral communication
Communication dialectics – principles that are best practiced in a state of tension (like a rubber
band), helping to avoid destructive forms of unrestrained extreme speech (Terrorism, Protest)
The dialectic of conveying messages to others:
oSincere truthfulness – transparently conveying the whole truth with honest, passionate
conviction
oCaring respect – rendering to others the same concern and dignity you would hope to receive
from them
The dialectic of responding to messages from others:
oThoughtful evaluation – critically pondering and scrutinizing to make discerning judgments
oHumble teachability – being an open-minded learner because no one knows everything about
anything
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