Communication Accommodation Theory

Communication accommodation theory suggests that we adapt our communication when interacting with others. Giles and Coupland (1991) refined speech accommodation theory (Giles, Mulac, Bradac, & Johnson 1987) to better understand our adaptations during interpersonal communication. The major components of communication accommodation theory are convergence and divergence. While convergence is the adjustment of our speech to match the other party, divergence is the altering of speech to differ from the group. People may converge in attempt to blend in and join the in-group. However, if they do not want to be associated with a group, they may diverge. Communication accommodation theory takes a positivistic approach to knowing. Therefore, it is studied through experiments and surveys dealing with quantitative data. Technology causes many questions about its effect on communication. In “Politeness Accommodation in Electronic Mail,”. Bunz and Campbell studied the effects technology has on communication accommodation, mainly through politeness in email. Bunz and Campbell used a sample of 106 students at a large midwestern university. “An original self-report questionnaire was used for this study assessing participant age, sex, years of…

There are several important factors which must be considered as we attempt to achieve effective communication with others. We must first recognize the goal we are trying to achieve with the communication. Second, we need to recognize who we are and how we, as individuals, communicate with others. And lastly, we need to understand how our audience is going to actually receive or perceive the communication we have presented. Although all three of these factors are different, they all are…

The Communication Accommodation Theory is used more regularly then I thought it was. This theory describes when we meet new people we adapt to how the other person communicates. To evolve a close relationship with someone most people begin talking like the person they are wanting to get close to. This shows that the person cares, and wants to get on a more personal level. To do so, we feel the need to get on the same level as them to be accepted and show that we are intrigued. I have…

The Communication Accommodation Theory is a theory of speech, which entails that "when people interact they adjust their speech, their vocal patterns and their gestures, to accommodate to others". Developed by Howard Giles, the theory explores the reasons as to why individuals accentuate and understate the social variations between themselves and others, both verbally and nonverbally in various situations. The theory accommodates 2 different forms of interaction between individuals;…

During the interview I became “communicatively” the person the pharmacists wanted to be in order for her to accept me into her working environment. By using the idea of convergence accommodation, my “agreeable” perceptions, actions, and nonverbal communication behaviors were presented to my interviewer as if the interviewer saw a replica sitting in front her. And what makes it even more striking to me is the fact that the theory proved true. I was on time, got dressed to impresses, was easy to…

connection with its country and how it is identified by its features. Some physical examples include dialect spoken within the country, skin and facial features, clothing and customs. Interesting enough this theory does not only apply on a universal scale, but also subcultural as well. This essay contains an analysis identifying attributes of co-cultural communication and the accommodations theories effect on subcultures within a dominant culture. The analyzation focuses the 1996 hit series…

Within this essay I am going to explore three communication theories. These will be interpersonal, cognitive dissonance theory and communication accommodation theory. I will specifically look at the context, exchange of communication as well as the main principles of communication. I will specifically see current research of how we as professionals can communicate in the 21st century. From my findings from the literature I will look to review this against my own practise with liaison between…

Communication Theories Communication is the process of exchanging information and is the way in which humans can relate. It is the way in which we as individuals understand one another. Information is exchanged verbally and through symbols, signs, and behaviors and may vary between cultures and people. For this reason, communication with new people or people from different cultures can be difficult. This is where communication theory comes in. Communication theory is the study of how individuals…

Communication is used around the world by variety of groups, nations and cultures. Each of these cultures view communication in different ways. None are better that the others, they are just different. However, when comes to the study communication some argue that there some better than others and this has affects. Penman (2000) writes, “The way in which we conceive of communication sets the constraints on what we study and what we don’t; on what ways we use communication to act in our world and…

Historical/Sociological Lens: The advancements of communication have affected not only the amount and widespread reach of political communication, but also have affected the perception of importance of partisanship (or nonpartisanship) in society. Historically, partisanship in the press and in politics has been something citizens clung to for dear life. Their party was a part of their identity, and an extension of their values and their selves. Partisanship was also predominantly segregated…