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Active Listening
Active listening involves listening with a purpose (e.g., gain information, obtain directions, understand others, solve problems, share interest, see how another person feels, show support). It requires that the listener attends to the words and the feelings of the sender for understanding and takes the same amount or more energy than speaking. (Communication & Leadership. Article.)
Affirmation
An affirmation is a positive verbal statement, a form of communication. It can describe how you feel about yourself, about others, or about life. (Fox, Arnold, MD, and Barry Fox, PhD. Wake Up! You’re Alive! FL: Health Communications, 1988, pp 44-45)
Alcohol-Related Brain Injury
Alcohol related brain injury is associated with a change in thinking and memory abilities and can impact communication with others. Use concrete / familiar terms, talk more slowly, focus on one topic at a time, remind them of topic, redirect by repeating a question, ask yes-no questions. (Health and medical information for consumers; Victorian Government, Australia. Fact Sheet.)
Amount
Most people spend about 75 percent of their waking hours communicating knowledge, thoughts, and ideas to others. (Nonverbal Communication. Article.)
Amount, Male-Female
Studies by Deborah James and Janice Drakich, Understanding gender differences in amount of talk: reviewed 63 studies that examine the amount of talk time used by women and men. In 61 studies, men talked more than women. (Gaurav, Sood. And They Say Women Talk More. Article.)
Assumptions of Gender
The general assumption underlying most communication seems to be that all people are male until proven female (e.g., doctor versus woman doctor, lawyer versus female lawyer). (Moir, Anne, and David Jessel. Brain Sex, the Real Difference Between Men & Women. NY: Carol Publishing Group, 1989, 1991, pp 111-112)
Attachment
Attachment is an inborn brain system. If it is working appropriately it motivates an infant to develop communication with caregivers, and to want to be close them. (Siegel, Daniel J. The Developing Mind. NY: The Guilford Press, 1999, pp 67-77)
Brain
Connections between brain stem and limbic system help keep you conscious, alert, and in control. Communication between the limbic system and the cortex allows you to balance logic with emotions, and facts with feelings. (Brynie, Faith Hickman. 101 Questions Your Brain Has Asked About Itself But Couldn’t Answer, Until Now. CT: Millbrook Press, 1998, p 12)
It appears that the left posterior perisylvian cortex is of fundamental importance to language processing, regardless of the modality in which it is conveyed (e.g., signing, hearing). (MacSweeney, Mairéad, et al. Dissociating linguistic and nonlinguistic gestural communication in the brain. NeuroImage, Volume 22, Issue 4, August 2004, Pages 1605-1618. Abstract.)
Brain-Body Communication
There is a constant flow of information between all the cells in our body. Specific behaviors have been shown to alter the psychosomatic network and positively impact the brain/body communication. These include: affirmation, meditation, and visualization. (Pert, Candace, PhD. Your Body is Your Subconscious Mind (audiocassettes). CO: Sounds True, 2000.)
The inter-relationship between the central nervous system and immune system is bidirectional. Products of activated immune cells feed back to the brain and alter neural activity resulting in a “sickness response.” Only the brain can orchestrate such a pervasive array of changes. (PNSA. Watkins, Linda R., and Steven F. Maier. Implications of immune-to-brain communication for sickness and pain. 1988. Article.)
Brain Regions
The brain is composed of different regions, each with its specific and particular functions, although each communicates with other regions. (Fisher, Helen, PhD. Why We Love. NY: Henry Holt and Company, 2004, pp 68-80)
Characteristic, Healthy Families
(Quoting Virginia Satir) Four general characteristics of healthy families: high self image for each person, direct/clear/specific/honest communication, flexible and appropriate rules, unafraid to relate to society. (Conway, Jim and Sally. Women In Midlife Crisis. IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1971, pp 114-115)
Characteristic, Healthy Relationship
A healthy relationship is usually characterized by specific signs (7 are listed) including independence, open/honest communication, constructive fights, and trust. (Bricklin, Mark, et al. Positive Living and Health. PA: Rodale Press, 1990, pp 356-359)
Children
Refer to Children and the Brain for additional information
Children: Speech Onset and Fluency
Girls begin talking at an earlier age than do boys, their speech is more comprehensible at an earlier age, they use short sentences earlier, and they are more fluent than males from 12 months on. The variety of speech sounds used by boys and girls in their first year of life seems to be almost identical but there is often a difference in control of sounds during the second year in favor of girls. (Eakins, Barbara Westbrook, and R. Gene Eakins. Sex Differences in Human Communication. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.,1978. pp 84-86)
Components
During the transmitting of the message, two processes will be received by the receiver: content (e.g., actual words or symbols known as language); context (e.g., way the message is delivered known as Paralanguage). (Communication and Leadership. Article.)
Communication Interpersonal
At least four key principles impact interpersonal communication: inescapable, irreversible, complicated, and contextual. (King, Donnell. Four Principles of Interpersonal Communication. Article.)
Content and Context
Consider technical details of your communication as the content of your testimony, nonverbal communication as the context. Both may be of equal importance. (Nonverbal Communication. Abstract.)
Credibility
90 percent of a speaker’s credibility is determined by the delivery of the message and less than 10 percent of the credibility is determined by the words spoken. (Referenced to Mehrabian, Albert. Silent Messages: Implicit Communication of Emotions and Attitudes. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 1971.) (Verbal and Nonverbal Communications: Which Is More Important for Credibility? Abstract.)
Credibility by Gender
Studies: same lecture was given to two groups of students, one presented by a male and the other by a female. Presentation by the male was accepted as much more authoritative, while those from the woman were viewed as less credible. Similar results were found when readers thought the author of a paper was male (viewed the paper in much more positive light) rather than female. (Eakins, Barbara Westbrook, and R. Gene Eakins. Sex Differences in Human Communication. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co, 1978, p 10)
Definition
Communication, in its most basic definition, involves a sender (encoder) and a receiver (decoder). (Communications in Business. Article.)
Communication is the process that human beings use to exchange information. Messages are sent and received simultaneously on two levels: verbally through the use of words and nonverbally by behaviors that accompany the words. (Therapeutic Communication – Building the Nurse-Client Relationship. Article.)
Dendrites
Dendritic spines on neurons: One trillion synaptic compartments, or "dendritic spines," could fit into a thimble. ()Science News. Scientists Reveal Details Of Brain Cell Communication: Implications For Learning & Memory. Article.)
Distance Zones
Four distance zones usually observed in US, Canada, and many Eastern European Nations:
- Intimate (0-18 inches) between people for close intimacy)
- Personal (18-36 inches) talking with family and friends
- Social (4-12 feet) acceptable for communication in social, work, and business settings
- Public (12-25 feet) between a speaker and an audience
Some cultures (e.g., Hispanic, East Indian, Asian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern) are more comfortable with less than 4-12 feet of space between them while talking. (Therapeutic Communication – Building the Nurse-Client Relationship. Article.)
Downshifting
Refer to Downshifting and the Brain for additional information.
Drug Abuse
Studies over 3 decades: Structural and functional brain changes occur with repeated drug abuse. Extensive brain changes can include damage to nerve cells and altered biochemical mechanisms in communication pathways. (Zickler, Patrick. Acute Dopamine Surge May Erode Resolve to Abstain. MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA NOTES, Vol 19, No 1, April, 2004, pp S1-S16)
Dual Messages
In person-to-person communications the messages are sent on two levels simultaneously. If the nonverbal cues and the spoken message are incongruous, the flow of communication is hindered. Right or wrong, the receiver of the communication tends to base the intentions of the sender on the non- verbal cues he receives. (Web site: www.zeromillion.com. Nonverbal Communication. Article.)
80:20 Principle
The 80:20 Principle is a mental representation from Vilifredo Pareto, an Italian economist. Up to 80% of what you want to do can be accomplished in 20% of the expected effort. Examples: 80% of profits come from 20% of products; 20% of baggage screeners account for 80% of mistakes according to the New York Times. (Gardner, Howard. Changing Minds. MA:Harvard Business School Press, 2006, pp 7-8)
A minority of causes, input, or efforts usually lead to a majority of results, outputs or rewards. (Koch, Richard. The 80:20 Principle. NY:Currency Doubleday, 1999, pp 3-4)
Electronic Communication
Electronic communication differs from other methods in several key areas:
- Speed
- Permanence
- Cost of Distribution
- Accessibility
- Security and Privacy
- Sender Authenticity
(A Guide to Electronic Communication & Network Etiquette. Article.)
Electronic Communication
The reader cannot see your face or hear the tone of your voice so all expression must be conveyed by words and punctuation. Avoid anger, sarcasm, etc., and the use of ALL CAPS (e.g., this type form may make it appear that you are shouting). (The Internet, Intranet, and E-mails. Article.)
Energy
Refer to Energy and the Brain for additional information
Energy
The universe is an integration of interdependent energy fields. There is a massive complexity in the intercommunication among physical parts and energy fields that form the whole. The flow of information is holistic. Biological dysfunctions can results from miscommunication anywhere within these complex pathways. (Lipton, Bruce H., PhD. The Biology of Belief. CA:Mountain of Love / Elite Books, 2005, pp 101-105)
Epigenetics
Refer to Cellular Memory for additional information regarding cellular communication from and to generations.
Evaluation
All organisms, including humans, communicate and read their environment by evaluating energy fields. Being depending on spoken and written language however, humans have neglected their energy sensing communication system. (Lipton, Bruce H., PhD. The Biology of Belief. CA: Mountain of Love / Elite Books, 2005, p 120)
Feedback
Males tend to receive more positive feedback and encouraging responses, especially from instructors and female peers. (Eakins, Barbara Westbrook, and R. Gene Eakins. Sex Differences in Human Communication. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1978, pp 49-52)
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself, a way to stop harboring destructive feelings that sap health and happiness. It allows the body to turn down the manufacture of catabolic chemicals, and instructs the subconscious to banish negative feelings. This will impact your communication. Forgiveness has little to do with others and everything to do with you. (Fox, Arnold, MD, and Barry Fox, PhD. Wake Up! You’re Alive! FL: Health Communications, 1988, pp 102-107)
Frequency, Male – Female
Study of seven university faculty meetings: with one exception males spoke more often; without exception males spoke longer at each episode. (Tannen, Deborah, PhD. Talking from Nine to Five. NY:Harper Books, 1995, p 280)
Gender Preferences
Study 2004: The most preferred communication medium among male participants was face-to-face while among women it was the cellular phone. The least preferred communication medium among men was US Mail and least preferred among women was instant messaging. (Cap, John R. Communication Habits: Men, Women & the Media They Prefer. Article.)
Gestation
Communication is a process that begins during gestation. (Tomatis, Alfred A, M.D. Editor Timothy M. Gilmore, PhD, et al. About the Tomatis Method. Canada: Listening Centre Press, 1989, pp 20-24)
Haptics
Haptics is the study of touching as nonverbal communication. Touches that can be defined as communication include: handshakes, holding hands, kissing (cheek, lips, and hand), back slap, “hi-five”, shoulder pat, brushing arm, etc. Each of these can trigger positive or negative feelings in the receiver. (www.Answers.com. Nonverbal Communication. Article.)
Healing
Visualizing (internally mentally picturing) the healing process within the body can help. It enhances communication between the mind and the body. (Sylvia, Claire, with William Novak. A Change of Heart. NY: Little, Brown and Company, 1997, pp xi-xiii)
Hearing
Human beings distinguish sounds that are essential to communication by listening to the music of speech (e.g., pitch, inflection, lilt, cadence of a person’s words). Females have a biological edge in this area. (Fisher, Helen, PhD. The First Sex. NY: Random House, 1999, p 60)
Hearing is the act of perceiving sound. It is involuntary and simply refers to the reception of aural stimuli. Listening is a selective activity which involves the reception and the interpretation of aural stimuli. It involves decoding the sound into meaning.
Heart to Brain
Neurocardiology has provided solid scientific evidence that the heart communicates with the brain in several ways: Neurologically (transmission of nerve impulses); Biochemically (hormones and neurotransmitters); Biophysically (pressure waves). Now there is growing scientific evidence of energetic communication (through electromagnetic field interactions). (Childre, Doc and Howard Martin. The HeartMath Solution. CA: Harper SF, 1999, pp 28-34)
Hyperlexia
Most hyperlexics can be placed somewhere along a spectrum consisting of autistics at one end and at the other end children who have problems with spoken language and communication. Hyperlexic readers are unusual because they don’t have to be taught how to read. Their problem involves speaking and understanding the speech of others. (Restak, Richard, MD. The Secret Life of the Brain. Washington D.C.: The Dana Press and Joseph Henry Press, 2001, pp 65-66)
Implicit versus Explicit
Explicit message expresses the information directly. Implicit message expresses the information indirectly. There is a great danger for misunderstanding in the field of implicit messages. (Schumacher, Marinita. Key Principles of Effective Communication. Article.)
Internet
Communication over the internet differs from face-to-face in a number of ways: fewer paralinguistic and non-verbal cues and less immediate communication in general can lead to misunderstandings; fewer cues related to appearance can reduce biases related to physical attractiveness, race, and age. (Lecture 13, July 31 2007. UCLA Loneliness Scale. Article.)
Kinesics
In verbal communication kinesics includes gestures, eyes, facial expression, posture, etc. (Interpersonal Communication Involves… Article.)
Language
In most people (97%), both Broca's area (spoken speech) and Wernicke's area (heard speech) are found in only the left hemisphere of the brain. (Chulder, Dr. Eric. The Brain and Communication. Think Quest. Article.)
Laughter
Refer to Laughter and the Brain for additional information.
Laughter is the most enjoyable form of human communication. Humans are the only animals able to appreciate all the shadings of humor; it integrates the limbic system with the frontal lobes. (Donahue, Phil. The Human Animal. NY: Simon & Schuster, 1985, 1986, pp 331-334)
The immediate involuntary action of laughter forms the most direct communication link possible between people, limbic brain to limbic brain. People who relish each other’s company laugh easily and often; those who distrust/dislike each other laugh little, if at all. (Goleman, Daniel, PhD, with Richard Boyatzis, and Annie Mckee. Primal Leadership. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2002, p 12)
Learning
Refer to Learning and the Brain for additional information
Humor can be used to break down barriers to communication so that professors can better connect and deliver their messages to students and other audiences. (Berk, Ronald A., PhD. Professors are from Mars, Students are from Snickers. Book Review.)
Left Hemisphere
In most people (97%), both Broca's area (spoken speech) and Wernicke's area (heard speech) are found in only the left hemisphere of the brain. (Chulder, Dr. Eric. The Brain and Communication. Think Quest. Article.)
Listening Rate
People speak at 100 to 175 words per minute, but they can listen intelligently at 600 to 800 words per minute (WPM). (Communication and Leadership. Article.)
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Brain References 
