Communication and Christmas Party Interpretation Essay

Submitted By kobby123
Words: 1180
Pages: 5

What is constructivism?
The definition of constructivism that we have based our opinions and ideas on is below:
“In communication, constructivism is a cognitive theory of human communication that describes how human perception influences the skillful production and interpretation of a variety of social influence messages (Delia, O’Keefe, & O’Keefe, 1982)”
Our own interpretation of this is that constructivism is a theory of communication that suggests that each listener or reader will potentially use the content and process of communication in different ways. There are numerous constructivist perspectives, and the common thread that unites them is that learning is an active process, unique to the individual, and consists of constructing conceptual relationships and meaning from information processing and experiences already in the learner's repertoire. Meaning structures are a form of knowledge constructions processes and include an individual’s concept, belief, judgment, and feelings which shape a particular interpretation tailored to the individuals’ analysis of meaning. We have applied these theories to our role play.
Our scenario
The manager of the organization has recently implemented a new policy on absenteeism; this was put in to place as it was a legal requirement that the organization should have in place. It has also been requested by the shareholders that the budget can no longer cover paid leave over two weeks and changes need to be made. This is then handed to the employees.
The interpretations and how they relate to theory
Below are 3 different interpretations of how people could perceive this knowledge.
Interpretation 1. The new policy is a personal dig at me. It is very suspicious how it has only been implemented 2 days after I have returned to work after coming back from 3 weeks off sick. Anyway it was a genuine illness, I had depression.
Interpretation 2. That’s a great idea, maybe if they can save money this way were get a bigger budget for the Christmas party
Interpretation 3. Another policy, I haven't the time to read. What's the point of implementing all these policies’; no one bothers to read them anyway.
Interpretation 1 can be related to the constructivist model of communications idea of individual experience. The persons experience of being off sick for a considerable amount of time and then the implementation of this new policy has led them to believe that them being unwell is the reason for the new policy. A person who has not had this experience would not necessarily have this same thought.
This scenario can also be related to Trompenaar’s Dimensions. For example, there could be a wavering between individualism and collectivism. Taking response 2, a member of staff’s values could be that although they work in a team, they are only responsible for their own work. For the company this means that there would need to be a culture and values system implemented which makes sure that every employee whatever their own personal value adheres to the values and cultures of the business.

Evaluations for the interpretations Interpretation 1:

In regards to interpretation 1, I evaluate the interpretation as positive.
The perception of the interpretation by the employees is that the new policy is unfair and also thinks the organisation posing working benefits like holiday pay motivates the employees in terms of being working effectively.
In my opinion, it would have been ideal for the organisation or its hierarchy’s to discuss the new instigated policy with their employees instead of submitting paper forms, This approach has urged employees to create their own meaning to the policy as Shannon and Weaver explained in their Communication System Model (SMCR) that individuals receiving the message are those who are at the bottom of the communication and they may be astonished by the message and decode the message and create their own meaning and understanding to the message. (Shannon and