How do you connect within society through communication?

I connect within society through a variety of different types of communication styles.  The main way that I communicate is in person, although I also use the internet and telephone a great deal.  The ways given of how I communicate in society is how many communities connect.  Individuals may use the ways that I use to communicate, or they may use their own styles.  Once these individuals begin communicating, they will begin to learn about one another.  Once discovering each others interests, they begin forming separate groups of similar individuals.  Without communication it would be impossible for people to discover similar individuals, unless they judged them from sight.

In communities people begin to talk and discover what others like, causing them to from groups.  Within the entire community, there are separate groups which will begin to form and start communicating separate from society.  If these individuals stick together long enough, they may begin to form their own special ways of communicating.  This can been seen in today's society as different parts of the country have their own little way of communicating, which is unlike the rest of the culture. 

A culture that formed in this way was the Native American culture.  The Native Americans had the entire country to themselves until we came and invaded the land.  Placing them out west on reservations such as the Appalachian Reservation, where they had entire land parcels to themselves.  Here these Indians settled and  began forming their own culture within our culture.  This is compelling because they do not have a state or a country to themselves, only a reservation.  On these reservations occur many different types of communications and culture, although the Indians are still Americans.  These Indians are very close individuals live successfully in there culture because of their closeness, just as the United States is a very close nation.  The United States can easily react to world disasters because of their closeness, where the Indians can't because they have their own separate group. Indians and Americans both have a bond that keeps them together, which is bonded together with individuals of similar interest.

How do I connect within groups through communication?

A group is three of more people who interact and communicate with each other over an extended period of time, and they normally follow rules in order to reach a common goal.  Without a common goal there is never a reason for a group to form.  Groups usually tend to form because there are more resources, more thoroughness, more creativity, and more commitment. 

To form a group, members must first perceive themselves as interdependent and have interacted with each other over a long time.  During interaction, groups will be begin to formulate rules, and also begin to figure out the best ways to solve problems in their group.  During the process of forming a group, a member will usually become a leader of the group.  The member that becomes the leader tends to to be a person who can ensure effective communication throughout the group.  Many people believe that leaders are born, although leaders are different.  Leaders can use manipulation, qualities, and personality to gain power.  All of these processes will work but some of them have downfalls later.  Once a leader is chosen, they will begin to communicate based on their leadership style.  Some of these styles are the laissez faire, authoritarian, or democratic.  Laissez faire is laid back and non directive.  This style does not provide directions in which the group should move, which makes it known to be very inefficient.  There is also authoritarian leadership, which is very directive and is used by a lone leader.  This type of leadership style is very effective, although member's morale and work quality may be optimal.  Lastly, there is democratic leadership, which provides direction and guidance.  This style encourages members to take responsibility.  Depending on the type of group will depend on the leadership style that is used.  If decisions are needed in a short amount of time, the authoritarian will be used.  It may not be the answer that was wanted though because of the push for time.  Democratic or laissez faire will give a quality, well thought decision, but it will take a long time to decide.  All in all, it mostly depends on the people in the group, and the situation.

When involved in group work, I tend to usually lead the group or assist in leading the group.  When in charge I usually use the laissez faire  style of leadership.  My peers and I have a respect level for each other and when I inform them on what to do, they do it.  I tell them one time and then I let them do their work. It has to be taken into account though that I am usually working with advanced students, which is what allows this style to work.  This style will not always work though, but now I am well informed on the other styles that are available for use.  All in all, there are many different ways to successfully lead a group and be effective. 

How do I connect within personal relationships through communication?

In personal relationships there a variety of processes that we use to interact with each other.  The interpersonal climate that individuals are in greatly depends on self-disclosure.  Self-disclosure is essentially the foundation of all relationships.  Self disclosing is a risk that we all take when we are interacting with one another.  Revealing too much information could ruin the friendship and on a greater scale our reputation.  This is a risk that all of us take, and that all of of us must take in order to have a successful relationship.  When people begin self disclosing and sharing information about themselves, they are setting up a supportive climate between each other.  A climate such as this allows a positive relationship for each individual to share information with each other.  The more we continue to disclose, allows a greater trust to build.  With trust, tensions will begin to build in relationships.  These help partners learn and figure out how to get through situations together.  These speed bumps are known as relational dialects, which can make or break the relationship.

When I first meet someone new, I try and figure out what they are really like.  I am a person that does not like to self disclose information.  It takes me a long time to build trust in a person, which allows me to to allow other individuals to learn things about me.  Now that I know about personal relationships, I will be able to  build relationships with people more quickly than before.  Every person is different and each individual must figure out what works best for them.

How do I connect with myself through communication? Discuss various ways communication has helped you or is currently helping you become the person you are becoming. Who are you? And how are you connecting to/with that person daily, weekly, or for the first time--and what does communication have to do with it? How has communication created who you are?

I use direct definition to connect with myself through communication.  Direct definition Wood states is "communication that explicitly tells us who we are by labeling us and our behaviors."  Throughout my life communication has aided me in becoming the person I am today.  Communication has allowed me to use my listening skills and interaction skills with others.  Interacting confidently with other individuals has shaped me into who I am.  These positive interactions have allowed me to become a  kind, caring, and intelligent individual in an ever changing society.  On a daily basis I try to sit down and see if I have used the kind, caring, and intelligent skills that embody me.  Communication has to do with this because viewing ourselves is known as reflected appraisal.  Reflected appraisal is an essential part of communication, in order to accurately judge ourselves.  Once I was born, communication began forming the person that I am.  Attachment styles are the main assets which have created the person I am.  With my caretakers mostly using a secure attachment style, I have developed a positive sense of self-worth.  Also, eliminating self-sabotage, has helped me become a confident individual.  All in all, communication rules our lives and it essentially develops the person in which we are.

What is communication? Define, analyze, and discuss it.

Wood defines communication as the systemic process in which people interact with and through symbols to create and interpret meanings.  The process of communication is continuously changing, never taking a break at any moment.  Communication is not only a process but also a system which is connected with many individual parts that all have an affect on each other.  A sufficient amount of communication deals with symbols, which can be art, music, or even objects.  People do not realize how important communications really are, but there are many values of communication throughout our lives.  Personal, relationship, professional, and cultural values all help form the way humans interact with each other every second of their lives.  These values all differ around the world and amongst different groups of people, forming a very diverse nation.  On an everyday basis we all usually communicate through interpersonal communication, which is when individuals communicate with one another. There is also intrapersonal communication, which is when we talk to ourselves about our lives.  Intrapersonal communication does not occur quite as often as  interpersonal, although individuals talk to themselves numerous times a day.  Communication includes more than just verbal and nonverbal interpretation, but also facial expression, body language, voice tone, and any sort of communication that another individual can view of you.  Although, communication seems so simple, it is composed of many individual parts. 
Communications is simply the interaction of humans.  Without communications there would be no world.  Whether you know it or not, communications constantly runs the world and has evolved since the beginning of mankind.