Transcript Communication Styles

Communication Styles
Melissa Geller
Kent State University
Passive Behavior
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Involves saying nothing in response
Keeping feelings to yourself
Hiding feelings from others, even yourself
Lets other people violate your personal
right to be treated with respect and dignity
Characteristics of Passive
Communication
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Indifferent
Lifeless
Avoiding the problem
“I’m not good enough”
“It doesn’t matter”
Hoping that needs will be met
Aggressive Behavior
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Involves expressing feelings through:
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Insults
Sarcasm
Labels
Put-downs
Hostile statements and actions
Aggressive behavior involves expressing
thoughts, feelings and opinions in a way that
violates others’ rights to be treated with respect
and dignity
Characteristics of Aggressive
Communication
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Physically or verbally attacking the person
Behaving in a hostile manner
Acting sarcastic
Being demanding or selfish
Fighting
Assertive Behavior
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Involves describing your feelings, thoughts,
opinions, and preferences directly to another
person in an honest and appropriate way that
respects both you and the other person
It enables you to:
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Act in your own best interests
Stand up for yourself without undue anxiety
Express your feelings comfortably
Exercise personal rights without denying the rights of
others
Characteristics of Assertive
Communication
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Speaking clearly and confidently
Being honest and appropriate
Considering the rights of the other person
Dealing with the problem
Caring about the situation
Which type of communication?
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Speaking clearly and confidently
Assertive
Acting out in anger
Aggressive
Avoiding the problem
Passive
Which type of communication?
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“Dr. Thomas, if you don’t give me this
accommodation, I will go to the Dean!”
Aggressive
“I didn’t like the way Dr. Thomas treated me, but
I deserved it.”
Passive
“Dr. Thomas, you seem to be upset, but we do
need to reach an agreement on some
accommodations.”
Assertive