Communication Notebook Video Resources
Communication Notebook Video Resources
The following video resources are designed to help you think about the themes you will cover in this final assignment. Many have been referred to previously, but all should help you in making your points. We cover culture and nonverbal communication, gender, class, and race/ethnicity. Then, we address how we can connect to others and computer-mediated communication.
Culture: There are seven videos on culture. Watch what you think is interesting and/or important.
1) Nonverbal communication.
Riccardi, P. (2014, October 21). Cross cultural communication. TED X – Bergen. Retrieved July 14, 2019 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMyofREc5Jk
Description: An Italian who lived in England and then moved to Norway discusses the many cultural differences he has witnessed. As you watch, focus on the ways he addresses nonverbal cues specifically. Bevan lists four broad categories of nonverbal communication, including haptics, proxemics, paralanguage, and kinesics. Here, you will explore the ways culture trains us about what is “normal” in each of these areas.
2) Communication and Gender
Different styles/different cultures:
Nelson, A. (2014, April 30). A paradigm for understanding how men and women communicate. Youtube.com. Retrieved August 21, 2019 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooc5pOrYP24
Description: Communication specialist Audrey addresses discusses some basic differences between men and women speaking patterns and how we should process these different forms of communication. Specifically, she outlines how women tend to be more indirect and men more direct, that men are more goal-oriented and women more process—oriented, men are more content-oriented and women are more feeling-oriented, and men are more self-oriented and women more other-oriented. Think of how these are connected to Bevan’s points.
3) Gender and language rituals:
Tannen, D. (2013, December 27). Gender-specific language rituals. youtube.com. Retrieved July 14, 2019 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUxnBZxsfoU
Description: Psychologist Deborah Tannen argues that we learn gendered patterns of communication from a young age. In this interview, Tannen talks about some of her ideas about how children learn patterns of communication covered in Bevan. While it an older video, it is still interesting. As you watch, think about whether her key points still stand in the 21st century.
4) Social class, dialects and stereotypes.
Alvarez, L. & Kolker, A. (2001, September 23). Episode One: A nation of tribes. People like us. The Center for New American Media, WETA, and Independent Television Series. Retrieved July 14, 2019 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU5MtVM_zFs
Description: In the United States, most people envision that we are classless or that almost everyone is “middle class.” But social class does exist and is not just based on income we make, but also influences how we speak, how we move, where we live, media use patterns, the products we purchase, and hobbies we enjoy. Here we learn how social class subtly divides us into “tribes” and unites us within those units as well. When you watch, think about the role of nonverbal cues in this classification system and the ways people talk about others.
Lieberman, M. (2014, November 12). Sociolinguistics and dialects. The Ling Space. Retrieved August 20, 2019 from http://www.thelingspace.com/episode-11.
Description: Linguist Moti Lieberman explains the idea of dialects and contends that all are equal, from a scientific position. However, through class, age, region, religion, or other factors, some can frame theirs as superior or “proper,” while others are not (a type of prejudice). This is true of African American Vernacular English specifically. As you watch, think about whether one should be strategic about how they speak in different contexts to achieve their goals.
6) Racial Literacy
Volchi, P. & Guo, W. (2017, November). What it takes to be racially literate. TEDWomen. Retrieved July 14, 2019 from https://www.ted.com/talks/priya_vulchi_and_winona_guo_what_it_takes_to_be_racially_literate
Description: Racial literacy – Two high school students, Priya Vulchi and Winona Guo report on that race means and how we need to develop what they call racial literacy. Two important things are the value of effective interpersonal conversations and self-control.
7) Focusing on similarity over difference:
Nimenya, S. (2016). We are not all that different: Race and culture identity. Youtube.com. Retrieved August 26, 2019 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QuAok_Xiyg&t=338s
Description: Activist Seconde Nimenya addresses the idea of “difference” specifically, and how it intersects with race and ethnicity, especially in the United States. She chooses being better over being “bitter.” This allowed her to try to create bridges between cultures. Pay close attention to what she has to say about the idea of “difference” and how the cultural training we receive that focuses on difference can lead to stereotypes and biases. She shares three strategies for how we can use to celebrate difference as a value to achieve tolerance and peace.
Relationship Formation/Maintenance – Connecting to Others:
1) Self-Disclosure and being gay
Bailey, M. (2014, November). The danger of hiding who you are. Retrieved September 23, 2019 from https://www.ted.com/talks/morgana_bailey_the_danger_of_hiding_who_you_are?language=en
Description: Activist Morgan Bailey discusses the dangers of hiding fundamental, personal information about oneself. As you watch, think about how that personal information (her being a lesbian) impacted her psychological and physical health. Why was sharing this information with others so important both individually and socially? When should we change ourselves to fit in and when should we speak out?
2) Social support and life expectancy
Pinker, S. (2017, April). The secret to a longer life might be your social life. Retrieved September 23, 2019 from https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_pinker_the_secret_to_living_longer_may_be_your_social_life?language=en
Description: Why might social activity be linked to longer life? In this talk, writer Susan Pinker investigates the role of social connection in living a long life. This focus on personal connection appears to be a key to both happiness and longevity. How does our shift to electronic communication and social isolation undermine personal connection?
3) Convey caring through conversation
Headlee, C. (2015, May 7). How to have a good conversation. TEDx – Creative Coast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6n3iNh4XLI
Description: Journalist Celeste Headlee offers advice about the importance of genuinely listening and says that it is important to acknowledge that communication involves both a speaker and a hearer. We must learn to listen to understand, not just to reply. In doing so, we convey we care and are consideration of others.
4) Relationship Maintenance – The power of vulnerability
Brown, B. (2010). The power of vulnerability. TEDxHouston. Retrieved July 14, 2019 from https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?referrer=playlist-when_you_re_having_a_hard_time
Description: Storyteller-researcher Brene Brown explores the idea of empathy and how it is fundamental to positive relationships. Connecting to others is at the center of her speech and we do this through both verbal and nonverbal communication. The opposite of connection is shame. Watch her speech to hear more about how to overcome shame, be compassionate, and connect to others. Much of this involves being vulnerable. Can vulnerability lead to healthier relationships? Watch her speech to see if you agree.
5) Mindfulness
Shapiro, S. (2017, March 10). The power of mindfulness: What you practice grows stronger. TEDXWashingtonSquare. Retrieved July 14, 2019 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeblJdB2-Vo
Description: While we often give lip service to mindfulness, in this speech, mindfulness expert Shawna Shapiro explains the benefits of what she calls “kind attention” and some steps to achieving it. As you think about improving your own communication, think about the ways that presence and kindness, to both yourself and others, can be instrumental to success in all areas of life.
Online cultures
Online bubbles and our narrowing reality
Pariser, E. (2011, May 2). Beware online “filter bubbles.” TED. Retrieved July 14, 2019 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ofWFx525s.
Description: In this presentation, internet activist Eli Pariser discusses some of the dangers of the online filter bubbles we all are parts of. While we as Americans tend to value terms such as democracy, inclusion, and diversity, the web is, and has been, using algorithms to give us information. This means we are all living in different worlds, keeping us from having a shared sense of reality and we are getting what others think we “want” to see, but maybe not what we “need” to see. This divisiveness is potentially dangerous to our democracy and even the idea that we are “united” as states of America. As you watch, think through the values that are important to him that he says as violated by algorithms.
