Littlejohn - Chapter 9

From what I read on Littlejohn &Foss’ book titled “Communication Theories, Theories of Human Communication” chapter 9 (Organization), I am interested in Weber’s theory about bureaucracy which defines an organization is an interpersonal activity system that has a purpose that is designed to balance individual role. This can’t be done without authority, specification, and regulation.

I am interested in this theory because I am doing my internship program in a company and I found that Weber’s theory can be applied in the reality. Every employer in my office has their job desk and responsibility, which refers to their own authority, specification, and regulation.

I take the example from my experience. Last Thursday (9^th December 2010), I attended a meeting in my office discussing their evaluation through year 2010. My department, which is Public Relations Department) was evaluated by the member of board. I was very surprised when in my company there is no written policy which explains the authority, specification, and regulation for each employer. For 12 years, every employer does their own authority, specification, and regulation based on what the boss told him/her. Public Relations Department was asked to make a written policy which contains them all, just in case there is a crisis, there is a specific person who allowed to clarify. The same purpose is there is a specific person just in case there is a great publication from the media about any negative things happened to the company.

Due to the example above, I find it interesting when I read Weber’s theory that explains my experience. Weber’s theory tells me the important of exact role and responsibility in those three aspects.

Questions: Do authority, specification, and regulation must be set by Public Relations Department? Based on my experience, are they the content of a company’s policy?

References:

Littlejohn, Stephen W. and Karen A. Foss. Communication Theoris, Theories of Human Communication. Indonesian Edition, 9^th Edition. Jakarta: Salemba Humanika, 2009.

Littlejohn - Chapter 8

From what I read on Littlejohn &Foss’ book titled “Communication Theories, Theories of Human Communication” chapter 8 (Group), I am interested in sociocultural tradition which has two main theories, they are group structure and group task&responsibility (page 338). The member of the group have a main goal with many steps to do. It requires a structure form in order to let the member do their own task and responsibility. It can divided into two theories, there are collective theory and functional theory to support this sociocultural tradition.

I am interested in this tradition and the two theories in it because I believe that an effective group requires structure and the task&responsibility. Collective theory and functional theory cannot be separated to achieve the group’s goal. A structure is needed because every member has his/her own capability.

Due to the example (please kindly find the attachment), a group has a complex and clear structure. It happens because a group has its own main goal and it cannot be reached if the group does not have a clear structure. If there is not a clear structure, the member will get a mess each other to do the activity. In the picture attached, a structure always leaded by a leader of the group and then it spreads to a lower position and more complex structure. Every position has its own task and responsibility and it refers to a specific one.

From the example above, I learnt that to make an effective group, a clear and complex structure is needed with cooperation in it. It requires the member commitment to do their own task and responsibility.

Question: If a position is left behind by those who responsibility in it, what best decision a leader must take?

References:

Littlejohn, Stephen W. and Karen A. Foss. Communication Theoris, Theories of Human Communication. Indonesian Edition, 9^th Edition. Jakarta: Salemba Humanika, 2009.

www.dianhusada.dikti.net/images4/

Littlejohn - Chapter 6

From what I read on Littlejohn’s book titled “Communication Theories, Theories of Human Communication” chapter 6 (Conversation), I am interested in uncertainty reduction theory discussing the main process of how we know someone (page 218). We may have a strong curiosity to reduce the uncertainty about the person. In that situation, we tend to uncertain with the other’s capability to show the purpose and plan, the feeling, etc. Berger said that we are motivated to know the stranger by the information we can get.

I am interested in that theory because as the next Public Relations officer, I need to talk with someone new, even with the stranger. When we talk to the new one for the first time, maybe the people will not really enjoy to tell me his/her true feeling, purpose, plan, etc. This theory taught me this situation can be happen because of there is uncertainty within the self.

Due to the example (please kindly find the attachment), finding out a boy’s feeling, family background, and dream who sells broom everyday is not easy. Maria Yuniar, as the interviewer, need some opening question to “melt” the situation. Maria started the conversation by a “crunchy” question about his daily job as a broom seller and his age. Maria asked some questions about his siblings and the hometown of his parents. The conversation went on as a conversation between friend, became deeper and deeper until the boy told the interviewer about his youngest brother who had been adopted, his feeling as a broom seller, his feeling about he was the only one who could not afford a school picnic because there was no fund, until his dream and what he wants to say if he can meet The Education Minister Muhammad Nuh.

From the example above, I learnt that to know someone better, we should have trick to reduce the uncertainty. It takes a process, but it is interesting how to make a stranger become open to us.

Question: Why is there always uncertainty between the strangers?

References:

Littlejohn, Stephen W. and Karen A. Foss. Communication Theories, Theories of Human Communication. Indonesian Edition, 9^th Edition. Jakarta: Salemba Humanika, 2009.

Jakarta Globe. My Jakarta: ‘I Might Have a Job, but I Never Miss School Because of It’. 12 November 2010, page: A12.

Littlejohn - Chapter 5

From what I read on Littlejohn’s book titled “Communication Theories, Theories of Human Communication” page 159, I am interested in the first assumption in Birdwhistell’s theory about body language. In his book, Kinetics and Context, the first assumption of the theory is all body movement has important meaning in communication context and everyone always be able to give meaning in each activity.

I am interested in that assumption because sometimes we can see the truth of what someone say based on our attention in his/her body language. For example, when a boss asks the subordinate why he/she late, the subordinate may answer that his/her motorcycle was broken. The boss can make a conclusion from his/her body movement to decide whether he/she is lying or not. If the subordinate act unusual and his/her body movement looks uncomfortable in answering, more often his/her appearance is messy, the boss can conclude that the subordinate is lying and maybe the subordinate comes late because of another reason, such as the subordinate comes late because of he/she wake up late.

From the assumption has been explained in Littlejohn book, we know that body language has an important role in communication. The assumption that Birdwhistell explained make us clear to see the “real” truth in a communication. This is because all of body movement always communicate something, no matter what the communicator says. As Birdwhistell said, everyone always be able to give meaning in body activity.

Question: This assumption seems like the person need his/her own perception. Do you agree in it?

Reference: Littlejohn, Stephen W. and Karen A. Foss. Communication Theories, Theories of Human Communication. 9^th edition. Jakarta: Salemba Humanika.

A Future God Has Prepared For Us

Some days ago I received a Broadcast Message (BM) through Blackberry. When I receive BM, I usually delete it without read it first (end chat). However, some BM with a good intro will be kept to be read when I have time for it.

I read a nice BM: “If you don’t experience a hurricane and the storm, you will never see that I rule over that all. But, would you have faith in Me, that My plan is a peace plan, and your future is a future full of hope?”