COM 252: Intro to Interpersonal Communication

Read useful and practical suggestions for responding to another's criticism with honesty and grace. The focus is on how to actually gain new insights about yourself and the other person in the process.

Scroll down to the section titled "Predicting the weather, or setting the stage for a positive communication climate." This section offers brief explanations and concrete examples of indicators and strategies for positive communication climates.

As part of an online self-help book, this material reviews strategies for responding to criticism with assertive responses.

A chapter in an excellent, comprehensive online book that explores seven interpersonal communication skills. The chapter addresses research on the relational power of expressing appreciation and gratitude. The author also gives a step-by-step methodology for fully expressing appreciation (similar to the steps involved in the clear message format).

A chapter in an excellent, comprehensive online book that explores seven interpersonal communication skills. In order to gain more cooperation from others, learn how to ask for what you want by using specific, action-oriented requests rather than generalizations.

This article about empathy and communication provides some excellent examples of disconfirming responses.

An educator offers his perspective about how to handle negative criticism.

Read more information about responding nondefensively and transforming a defensive climate.

Read a summary of nondefensive communication tools suggested by the author of a book entitled “Taking the War Out of Our Words.”

An organizational psychologist describes three common emotional reactions we experience in the face of criticism. He also explains how these emotional reactions can prevent us from learning from feedback and using constructive problem-solving methods.

In these online sample chapters and in fun, interactive exercises, learn methods that help us deal more effectively with difficult people.

Read practical advice about assertiveness: what it is, why it’s important, and how to apply it in your life.

This site provides hints about the art of constructive criticism.

This site provides specific examples and characteristics of defense mechanisms.

This article outlines appropriate delivery for offering criticism. The author offers a simple ten step process to allow one communicator to convey their message without turning the individual receiving the message.