Topic 4 DQ 1
Assessment Description: Describe your personal communication style including verbal and
nonverbal characteristics. How will your communication style influence your work as a
paraprofessional.
Answer:
According to Princeton University, there are four main types of communication styles,
which includes passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive (Understanding Your
Communication Style, n.d.). The passive type tends to avoid eye contact and is more of "go
with the flow" type while the aggressive type tends to cross their arms and fight for what they
want (Understanding Your Communication Style, n.d.). The cross between these two is the
passive-aggressive which after reading the website is exactly what you think of when someone
is being passive-aggressive like snide remarks or spreading rumors or doing spiteful things.
The last one, assertive, is kind of the good medium to be because it involves eye contact and
actively interacting and expressing yourself in the conversation (Understanding Your
Communication Style, n.d.).
Personally, I try to have an assertive style of communication, however it is very easy for them
to overlap in any interaction a person can have in the day to day. I also think this varies
drastically based on culture and context. For example, our textbook gave examples of how
some cultures find it disrespectful to look people in the eyes. I think nonverablly, I tend to mix
between assertive and passive. I can maintain eye contact, but I often feel like it is unnecessary
to be giving someone full eye contact. I also feel obligated to make eye contact when talking
with people because growing up my parents took it as a sign of lying to them.
I think knowing one's style of communication as well as the different styles can drastically
change how a therapy session goes. Knowing when it is appropriate to use each style would
change how well certain therapy aspects work with a client as well as the rapport a
paraprofessional would build with client.
Source:
Understanding Your Communication Style. (n.d.).
UMatter. https://umatter.princeton.edu/respect/tools/communication-styles
Assessment Description: Describe your personal communication style including verbal and
nonverbal characteristics. How will your communication style influence your work as a
paraprofessional.
Answer:
According to Princeton University, there are four main types of communication styles,
which includes passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive (Understanding Your
Communication Style, n.d.). The passive type tends to avoid eye contact and is more of "go
with the flow" type while the aggressive type tends to cross their arms and fight for what they
want (Understanding Your Communication Style, n.d.). The cross between these two is the
passive-aggressive which after reading the website is exactly what you think of when someone
is being passive-aggressive like snide remarks or spreading rumors or doing spiteful things.
The last one, assertive, is kind of the good medium to be because it involves eye contact and
actively interacting and expressing yourself in the conversation (Understanding Your
Communication Style, n.d.).
Personally, I try to have an assertive style of communication, however it is very easy for them
to overlap in any interaction a person can have in the day to day. I also think this varies
drastically based on culture and context. For example, our textbook gave examples of how
some cultures find it disrespectful to look people in the eyes. I think nonverablly, I tend to mix
between assertive and passive. I can maintain eye contact, but I often feel like it is unnecessary
to be giving someone full eye contact. I also feel obligated to make eye contact when talking
with people because growing up my parents took it as a sign of lying to them.
I think knowing one's style of communication as well as the different styles can drastically
change how a therapy session goes. Knowing when it is appropriate to use each style would
change how well certain therapy aspects work with a client as well as the rapport a
paraprofessional would build with client.
Source:
Understanding Your Communication Style. (n.d.).
UMatter. https://umatter.princeton.edu/respect/tools/communication-styles
