Communication accommodation theory (CAT) was developed in 1987, but known as speech accommodation theory until 1991 when the name evolved to communication accommodation theory. This theory was developed as a catalyst to understand how we adapt our communication when we interact with others (Dainton & Zelley, 2011). This adaptation is when a person adjusts their speech to either match or contradict the speech of the person with whom they are communicating. There are many uses for this type of speech, but there are also disadvantages, as well (Dainton & Zelley, 2011). This type of phenomenon can take form in many different ways. For example, people may take on the dialect of a southern person when communicating with someone in the south.
…show more content…
Unlike convergence, a person who alters their speech through divergence may feel like they are speaking to a person from an out-group. An out-group is the opposite of an in-group (Dainton & Zelley, 2011). It is a group of people whom the person communicating feels that they do not belong. There are many reasons why a person would use divergence in a conversation. Normally, this is a sign of disagreement or rejection. Much like the example above where the teacher spoke sternly and authoritatively, they used divergence to separate him or her and to establish authority (Dainton & Zelley, 2011). Other instances of divergence are when Euro-American males are in the workplace; they normally maintain their typical speech patterns regardless of who they talk to because it is seen as the standard in America and Europe (Dainton & Zelley, 2011). Also, when around a certain group of people, such as friends outside of the workplace, they may use profanity in a manner they wouldn’t in front of their supervisor or members of their family. Divergence is used for a multitude of reasons, but most commonly when they are addressing someone who they see is a member of an …show more content…
Miscommunication, or attempting to avoid miscommunication, can create accommodation dilemmas in certain situations (Williams, 2012). One of these situations is when a supervisor is criticizing a subordinate’s work. An effective manager will want to express their grievances, but at the same time, they want to protect the self-esteem of the person they are criticizing. Also, in healthcare, the healthcare representative has to find a balance of controlling the patient as well as nurturing at the same time (Williams, 2012). In these situations a blend of accommodative and non-accommodative speech may be required. To avoid miscommunication, there are a number of techniques one can use. Selection is when one side of the dialect is used in a situation, such as when in a healthcare situation. When talking about healthcare requirements, the control factor may be used primarily, but they may select the nurture side when dealing with more emotional subject matter (Williams, 2012). Alteration and segmentation is used to go back and forth between dialects in accordance with the subject matter at hand. Disqualification is when the communicators let ambiguity pass. Reframing is when the tension is transformed to mean something else. When using these techniques, it may reduce ambiguity, so that accommodative speech may be clearer (Williams,
Unlike convergence, a person who alters their speech through divergence may feel like they are speaking to a person from an out-group. An out-group is the opposite of an in-group (Dainton & Zelley, 2011). It is a group of people whom the person communicating feels that they do not belong. There are many reasons why a person would use divergence in a conversation. Normally, this is a sign of disagreement or rejection. Much like the example above where the teacher spoke sternly and authoritatively, they used divergence to separate him or her and to establish authority (Dainton & Zelley, 2011). Other instances of divergence are when Euro-American males are in the workplace; they normally maintain their typical speech patterns regardless of who they talk to because it is seen as the standard in America and Europe (Dainton & Zelley, 2011). Also, when around a certain group of people, such as friends outside of the workplace, they may use profanity in a manner they wouldn’t in front of their supervisor or members of their family. Divergence is used for a multitude of reasons, but most commonly when they are addressing someone who they see is a member of an …show more content…
Miscommunication, or attempting to avoid miscommunication, can create accommodation dilemmas in certain situations (Williams, 2012). One of these situations is when a supervisor is criticizing a subordinate’s work. An effective manager will want to express their grievances, but at the same time, they want to protect the self-esteem of the person they are criticizing. Also, in healthcare, the healthcare representative has to find a balance of controlling the patient as well as nurturing at the same time (Williams, 2012). In these situations a blend of accommodative and non-accommodative speech may be required. To avoid miscommunication, there are a number of techniques one can use. Selection is when one side of the dialect is used in a situation, such as when in a healthcare situation. When talking about healthcare requirements, the control factor may be used primarily, but they may select the nurture side when dealing with more emotional subject matter (Williams, 2012). Alteration and segmentation is used to go back and forth between dialects in accordance with the subject matter at hand. Disqualification is when the communicators let ambiguity pass. Reframing is when the tension is transformed to mean something else. When using these techniques, it may reduce ambiguity, so that accommodative speech may be clearer (Williams,