Communication Competence Essay

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[pic] Communication Competence Group 4 Joseph Kaberi Julliet Kimotho Jacqueline Maluki Jason Kabera Kambua Manundu Course INS612: Principles and Processes of Communication and Culture Instructor: Mrs. Nanncy Adagala-Ombuya June 25, 2013 Communication Competence Spitzberg (1988) defines Communication competence as the ability to interact well with others or the ability to satisfy own communication goals. It is the measure of how accurate, clear, comprehensible, coherent is in a communication situation. Ultimately it is the display of expertise, effectiveness, and appropriateness, (Spitzberg, 1988, Parks 1985). In agreeing with Parks (1985), Friedrich (1994) describes communication competence as the ability to set and achieve appropriate and realistic goals. One then maximizes their effectiveness. This is done by using knowledge of self, other, context, and communication theory to generate adaptive communication performances. This presupposes that one has to have communication goals in order to be effective (Smith, 1992). Effectiveness then, according to Friedrich (1994) is measured by determining whether and if goals of communication are achieved. Although have different approaches these philosophers agree that Communication competence is the degree to which a communicator’s goals are achieved through effective and appropriate interaction. Key Concepts in Communication Competence There are two key concepts in communication competence: effectiveness and appropriateness. Effectiveness refers to one’s ability to produce the intended effects or goal through interaction, (Xiao and Chen 2008). As mentioned earlier, the measure of effectiveness is whether, and to what degree an individual’s communication goals are achieved. Smith (1992)
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