Defensive communication
Defensive communication is a communicative behavior that occurs within relationships, work environments, and social groups<ref name=":3">Becker, Jennifer A. H.; Halbesleben, Jonathon R. B.; O'Hair, H. Dan (2005). "Defensive Communication and Burnout in the Workplace: The Mediating Role of Leader–Member Exchange". Communication Research Reports. 22 (2): 143–150. doi:10.1080/00036810500130653. ISSN 0882-4096. S2CID 144119327.</ref><ref name=":4">Becker, Jennifer A. H.; Ellevold, Barbara; Stamp, Glen H. (2008). "The Creation of Defensiveness in Social Interaction II: A Model of Defensive Communication among Romantic Couples". Communication Monographs. 75 (1): 86–110. doi:10.1080/03637750701885415. ISSN 0363-7751. S2CID 143513747.</ref> when an individual reacts in a defensive manner in response to a self-perceived flaw or a threat from outsiders.<ref name=":0">Gibb, Jack R. (1961-09-01). "Defensive Communication". Journal of Communication. 11 (3): 141–148. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.1961.tb00344.x. ISSN 0021-9916.</ref><ref name=":5">Stamp, Glen H.; Vangelisti, Anita L.; Daly, John A. (1992). "The creation of defensiveness in social interaction". Communication Quarterly. 40 (2): 177–190. doi:10.1080/01463379209369832. ISSN 0146-3373.</ref> Defensive responses can be triggered by external events and by feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and sensitivity,<ref name=":0" /> and often occurs in circumstances where people feel negatively evaluated, controlled, or persuaded by others.<ref name=":0" /> Sigmund Freud was one of the first scientists to research the subject of defensive communication in depth, during his development of psychodynamic theory.<ref name=":4" /> Defensiveness creates inefficient and damaging communication in social interactions when people deny their flaws, project their flaws on others, or use judgmental communication techniques.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0" />
History
Psychodynamic Theory
Psychodynamics is the study of the psychological forces that underlie human behavior. Sigmund Freud's work on psychodynamic theory was the foundation of research into defensive communication.<ref name=":5" /> Freud and his colleagues believed that internal emotions such as anxiety, guilt, and insecurities created defensive reactionary behaviors.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> Psychodynamic theorists also believe defensiveness is a reactionary response to protect oneself from external threats.<ref>Becker, Jennifer A.H.; Ellevold, Barbara; Stamp, Glen H. (March 2008). "The Creation of Defensiveness in Social Interaction II: A Model of Defensive Communication among Romantic Couples". Communication Monographs. 75 (1): 86–110. doi:10.1080/03637750701885415. S2CID 143513747.[verification needed]</ref>
Defensive Climate Conceptualization
In 1961, Gibb developed a conceptual framework for categorizing communication into defensive and supportive behaviors.<ref name=":0" /> The defensive behaviors include evaluation, control, strategy, neutrality, superiority, and certainty. The supportive behaviors, in contrast, include description, problem orientation, spontaneity, empathy, equality, and provisionalism.<ref name=":0" /> Individuals respond either defensively or in a supportive manner based on their own perceptions of the communicative climates. For example, communication perceived as evaluative will increase defensiveness in the listener, due to the perception that the communicator is judging the listener. Descriptive communication, such as requests for information that are perceived to be genuine, does not initiate the same defensive response.<ref name=":0" />
Defensiveness in social interaction
Defensive communication in social interaction is hypothesized to be related to a self-perceived flaw, attacks from others, or a focus on an attack on flaws of others.<ref name=":5" /> In this hypothesis, which combines insights from psychodynamics and Gibb’s defensive climate conceptualization, defensive reactions can be triggered by either internal and external forces. Internally, perceptions of sensitive internal flaws such as personality traits can trigger defensive responses. Externally, defensive communication occurs when people perceive an attack or other threat.<ref name=":5" /> Defensive communication is a relational construct (a subjective worldview) that arises as a result of internal individual perceptions.<ref>Baker, W. H. (1980-04-01). "Defensiveness in Communication: Its Causes, Effects, and Cures". Journal of Business Communication. 17 (3): 33–43. doi:10.1177/002194368001700304. ISSN 0021-9436. S2CID 145363740.</ref>
Applications
Defensiveness in the Workplace
Defensive communication is common in the workplace due to the environment frequently being perceived as evaluative, judgmental, manipulative, or autocratic.<ref name=":3" /> Research indicates defensive reactions in the workplace cause inefficiency in communication and potential burnout.<ref name=":3" /> Much of the communication in a workplace is between managers and subordinates, increasing the need for efficient and supportive communication strategies.<ref name=":3" />
Defensiveness in Romantic Relationships
Romantic relationships create four contextual conditions for defensive communication: self-perceptions of flaws, situational difficulties, emotional difficulties, and relational concerns.<ref name=":4" /> Research shows that people are sensitive not only about their own perceived flaws, but also about the flaws of those close to them. Emotion can also intensify perception of flaws and threats from others.<ref name=":4" /> Jealousy, anxiety, and uncertainty can also elicit defensive communication behavior, and lack of supportive communication, lack of communicative warmth, lack of communicative sharing, and lack of attentiveness are all triggers of defensive communication.<ref name=":4" /> Defensive communication in relationships can be damaging and can lead to increased arguments, uncertainty, and stress.<ref>Morrison, Shaye; Schrodt, Paul (2017). "The Perceived Threat and Resolvability of Serial Arguments as Correlates of Relational Uncertainty in Romantic Relationships". Communication Studies. 68 (1): 56–71. doi:10.1080/10510974.2016.1263224. ISSN 1051-0974. S2CID 151831195.</ref>
Defensiveness in Family Environments
Defensive communication can occur in family environments and can consist of verbal and nonverbal behaviors that are threatening and/or punishing to others. This type of communication will frequently invite defensive behaviors in return. Behavior like this will promote a "defensive climate" as defined by Gibb.<ref name=":0" /> Children raised in atmospheres with high defensiveness and low amounts of supportive communication tend to develop aggressive behaviors.<ref name=":4" /><ref>Alexander, J. F. (1973). "Defensive and supportive communications in normal and deviant families". Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 40 (2): 223–231. doi:10.1037/h0034514. ISSN 0022-006X. PMID 4694200.</ref>
Critique
A central criticism of defensive communication is the lack of empirical research supporting Gibb’s initial paper on the topic.<ref name=":6">Forward, G. L.; Czech, Kathleen; Lee, Carmen M. (2011-02-02). "Assessing Gibb's Supportive and Defensive Communication Climate: An Examination of Measurement and Construct Validity". Communication Research Reports. 28 (1): 1–15. doi:10.1080/08824096.2011.541360. ISSN 0882-4096. S2CID 143779473.</ref> Gibb’s paper on the climate conceptualization of defensiveness was not a scientific study and did not allow other researchers to replicate or test his hypothesis.<ref name=":6" />
References
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