Communication accommodation theory

Definition

Communication accommodation theory is a social psychological theory that explains how individuals adjust their communication styles to align with others during interactions. This adjustment can occur in various ways, including speech patterns, tone, and nonverbal behaviors, often influenced by social contexts and relationships. By accommodating their communication, people can enhance understanding, create rapport, and sometimes even establish or reinforce social hierarchies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Communication accommodation theory was developed by Howard Giles in the 1970s and has since been influential in understanding interpersonal communication.
2. The theory suggests that people adjust their speech and nonverbal behaviors to either converge with or diverge from their conversation partners based on factors like identity and social context.
3. Nonverbal communication plays a significant role in accommodation, as individuals may mimic body language or facial expressions to foster connection or distance.
4. Accommodation can occur consciously or unconsciously, impacting the dynamics of power and relationship between communicators.
5. This theory can be applied in various contexts, including intercultural communication, professional environments, and everyday social interactions.

Review Questions

• How does communication accommodation theory illustrate the ways individuals adapt their communication styles in social situations?
  • Communication accommodation theory illustrates adaptation through the concepts of convergence and divergence. When individuals choose to converge, they modify their speech or nonverbal cues to match their conversation partner’s style, promoting understanding and connection. Conversely, divergence emphasizes differences in communication, which can signal individuality or social distance. This adaptability is essential for successful interactions in varying social contexts.
• Discuss the implications of nonverbal cues within the framework of communication accommodation theory and how they affect interpersonal relationships.
  • Nonverbal cues play a crucial role in communication accommodation theory as they enhance or complement verbal messages during interactions. When individuals adjust their body language or facial expressions to align with others, it fosters rapport and can reduce misunderstandings. However, misaligned nonverbal signals can create confusion or tension. Therefore, understanding nonverbal behavior is vital for effective accommodation and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships.
• Evaluate the impact of communication accommodation theory on intercultural communication, considering the roles of convergence and divergence in different cultural contexts.
  • In intercultural communication, communication accommodation theory underscores how individuals may converge or diverge based on cultural backgrounds. Convergence can facilitate smoother interactions by bridging language barriers and cultural differences, enhancing mutual understanding. Conversely, divergence might occur when individuals emphasize their cultural identities, which could lead to misunderstandings or reinforce stereotypes. Evaluating these dynamics helps understand the complexity of intercultural interactions and highlights the importance of sensitivity to diverse communication styles.

Related terms

Convergence: The process of adapting one's communication style to become more similar to the other person’s style, often to improve social connections.

Divergence: The strategy of emphasizing differences in communication styles, which can highlight social distance or establish identity.

Nonverbal cues: The facial expressions, gestures, posture, and other body language elements that convey messages without spoken words.