What is a case study?

At this level, you will be given a short “story” of an incident in the workplace, which could involve two or more people talking to each other (verbal communication).

Some non-verbal communication could also be described.

What will you be asked?

In addition to theory (definitions, etc.), you will be asked contextual questions as in a comprehension test.

What do you need to know?

You need to understand the theoretical background that is in this module in order to answer those questions.

What must you do?

Read the case study carefully in order to see which communication principles are being illustrated.

Example

The scene is a job interview for an office job and the interviewee arrives in shorts and sandals. The interviewer frowns.

“The interviewee arrives in shorts and sandals”

1. What type of communication is this?

2. The message is an element of communication. What is the message in this communication? Explain.

Answer

1. This is non-verbal, visual communication with regard to clothing (dress).

2. The message is that he/she is either ignorant of how to behave in such a situation or is deliberately showing disrespect.

“The interviewer frowns.”

1. What type of communication is this?

2. Feedback is an element of communication. Explain the feedback in this communication.

Answer

1. This is non-verbal visual communication with regard to kinesics (facial expression).

2. The frown indicates negativefeedback, showing disapproval of the message that was sent by the clothing.