COM 2000 Volume 5

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http://hdl.handle.net/11660/9710

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Browsing COM 2000 Volume 5 by Subject "Communication"

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    Aspekte van luistervaardigheid in gemeenskapsonderrig
    (University of the Free State, 2000) Van Niekerk, A.
    It has been said that it is the province of knowledge to speak, and the province of wisdom to listen. This statement emphasises the importance of the ability to listen effectively in any communicative encounter, but it does not clarify why the ability to listen is of utmost importance in the communication process. The article sets out by way of argumentation to address the following critical issues: What factors influence listening behaviour? Who is a skilful listener? What is the profile of an effective listener in an academic environment?
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    Enkele aspekte en implikasies van magsafstand as dimensie van kulturele variasie in gemeenskapsonderrig
    (University of the Free State, 2000) Van Aswegen, E.
    Power distance as cultural dimension has been maintained by people since Plato's time. It fonns an integral part of the interaction of an individual from one culture with an individual from another culture. When communicating across cultural borders and one individual comes from a high and the other from a low power distance culture, the situation could become so culture strange that there is a possibility of culture shock. Within the context of a university, power distance and the emotional distance that accompanies it, can be problematic. For a learner who comes from a culture or subculture where a high power distance is maintained, the two-way flow of communication which a lecturer from a low power distance culture would expect from him/her, might feel so strange that it could create tension between them. The opposite is also possible. Where a learner from a low power distance culture socialises with the lecturer in a relaxed and informal way, he/she could be perceived as being arrogant and even obnoxious. In the field of teaching, then, the assumption can be made that learners from a high power distance culture will be more dependent on the teacher/lecturer, while learners from low power distance culture who are used to function independently, would probably like to work without close supervision and independently. Although culture plays a major role in the forming of a learner, every person is a unique individual. The individual does not equal his/her culture and his/her actions will not in all cases equal that of the culture, community or society.
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    Formulating messages for illiterate rural communities
    (University of the Free State, 2000) Terblanche, Lydie
    There is growing realisation of the difficulty to communicate with illiterate rural communities in South Africa. It is imperative that we also begin to use communication media that really "speak" to the people. The main aim of this article is therefore to challenge communication consultants in South Africa to take the development road when communicating with the Third World. Illiterate or lowliteracy people must be identified and as the cost of failing to communicate successfully is prohibitive, simple and clear messages should be fonnulated to ensure understanding. Crucial to the viability of successful communication with illiterate rural communities will be the relevant role-playing factors in fonnulating messages, including the question of which media to apply.
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    To touch or not to touch: communication between physician and patient - a pilot study
    (University of the Free State, 2000) Pepler, Elsabe
    In this article the act of touch as a form of rumverbal communication, which constitutes part of the "unspoken" or "silent sound" message between the doctor and patient, is investigated. Communication researchers often maintain that nonverbal communication carries vastly more weight than the verbal message content. International research indicate that patients feel positive about the inherent and constructive potential meaning conveyed by a doctor or health care professional who touches them in a supportive and empathic manner. Sometimes wonts are not sufficient to convey feelings, and the act of touch can fulfill this gap. A pilot study done in Bloemfontein under hospitalised patients confirms that patients feel that empathic touching can contribute to answering emotional needs, thus facilitating the total healing process and enabling the patient to cope better with sickness and possible hospitalisation. The tertiary training of doctors mostly account for interpretation of patients' verbal responses, while underplaying the patient's nonverbal behaviour. Verbal and nonverbal communication skills should be seen as inseparable at all times, and the sooner these skills can be acquired by physicians, the sooner will the quality of the doctor-patient-relationship improve in our communities.