Communicating Ethically in Our Everyday Lives

Chapter 1: The Big Picture: Understanding Interpersonal Communication Ethics
Defining Ethical Communication
Definitions of Ethics, Ethical Communication, and Ethical Interpersonal Communication
Assessing Ethical Reasoning and Ethical Interpersonal Communication
Identifying Ethical Communication in Interpersonal Exchanges
Verbal Messages
Nonverbal Messages
Integrating Ethics Into the Interpersonal Communication Process
Sender Responsibilities
Receiver Responsibilities
Communication Channel Decisions
Noise/Interference Factors
Feedback Considerations
Valuing Ethical Interpersonal Communication
Personal Reasons for Studying Interpersonal Communication Ethics
Societal Reasons for Studying Interpersonal Communication Ethics
Chapter 2: The Ultimate Merger: Interpersonal Communication Ethics and Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking Framework
Defining Critical Thinking
Understanding Critical Thinking in the Context of Interpersonal Communication
Assessing Critical Thinking and Ethical Interpersonal Communication
Shared Features and Limitations of Ethical Interpersonal Communication and Critical Thinking in Communication Exchanges
Explanation of Issues
Influence of Context and Assumptions
Inability to Provide Advance Assessment
Knowing Is Not Necessarily Doing
Sender/Receiver Decisions Tied to Critical Thinking and Ethical Interpersonal Communication
Effectiveness and Appropriateness
Ownership of Thoughts and Actions
Chapter 3: Who's Ethics? The Formalization and Demonstration of Ethical Guidelines
Factors Associated With Formal Ethical Guidelines
Purpose
Practice and Implementation
Enforcement
Workplace Indicators of Semi-Formal Ethical Guidelines
Mission Statements
Personnel Policies and Rules
Messages From Leadership
Messages From and Between Employee
Interpersonal Communication Displays of Personal Ethical Guidelines
Religious Beliefs
Everyday Ethical Expressions and Philosophies
Identifying Ethical Interpersonal Communication Guidelines
Using Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking
Explicit Messages or Oaths
Symbols and Artifacts
Individual Verbal and Nonverbal Messages
Chapter 4: The Information Dilemma: Building Your Ethical Interpersonal Communication Foundation
Managing Information Content
Facts Versus Opinions
Alternative Facts Versus "Alternative Facts"
Real Versus Fake News
Managing Information Quantity
Information Overload
Information Underload
Consumption Patterns
Managing Information Quality
Credibility of Information
Information Bias or Leanings
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Communication Theories That Involve Processing Information
Uncertainty Reduction Theory: Managing the Unknown
Cognitive Dissonance Theory: Handling Competing Perspectives
Elaboration Likelihood Model: Evaluating Issues and Situations
Chapter 5: When Technology and Ethics Collide: Electronic Communication Channel Usage and Ethical Interpersonal Communication
Factors Influencing Electronic Communication Channel Usage
Rich Versus Lean Message Transference
Synchronous Versus Asynchronous Considerations
Message Permanence and Distribution
Personal Accountability and Electronic Communication Channel Usage
Message Authorship
Enablement Versus Empowerment
Boundaries and Limitations
Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking Applications for Electronic Communication Channel Usage
Utilizing a Goals-Driven Approach
Utilizing a Process-Driven Approach
Chapter 6: Thinking Ethically Versus Actually Communicating Ethically
Aristotle's Three Artistic Proofs
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Three Primary Considerations for Engagement
Knowledge
Motivation
Skills
Utilizing Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking for Attaining Outcomes
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos Determining Factors
Knowledge, Motivation, and Skills-Based Determining Factors
Chapter 7: Tolerance Thresholds: Managing Ethical Interpersonal Communication Challenges
Factors Associated With Sending Unethical Messages and Message Content
Communication Motives
Deception Motives—What Prompts Lying
Deception Motives—Why We Lie
Message Modification
Factors Associated With Receiving and Responding to Interpersonal Ethical Challenges
Direct Confrontation
Truth Biases
Denials
Ethical Communication Dilemmas and Relational Transgressions
Perceptions Associated With Relational Transgressions
Responses to Relational Transgressions
Incorporating Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking Prior to Sending or Responding to Unethical Messages
Things to Remember Prior to Sending Unethical Messages
Things to Remember Prior to Responding to Unethical Messages
Chapter 8: Failure to Engage: The Act of Doing Nothing
What Holds Us Back From Responding to Unethical Messages
Fear of Retaliation
Apathy
Overreacting
Overstepping Boundaries
What Is Said and Unsaid in Our Responses to Unethical Messages
Micro-Level Messages: Individual Complicit Acceptance
Meso-Level Messages: The Ripple Effect
Macro-Level Messages: What They Say About Society
Consequences Associated With Failing to Respond
Bullying
Societal Deterioration
Loss of Conscience
Applying Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking When Making Decisions About Ethics-Based Engagement
Things to Remember Prior to Engagement
Things to Remember If the Choice Is Made to Defer From Engagement
Chapter 9: The Aftermath: Dealing With the Unethical Interpersonal Communication Outcomes
Factors for Senders of Unethical Messages to Address
Dealing With Actual Consequences From Their Actions
Guilt, Shame, and Regret
Absence of Remorse
Factors for Receivers of Unethical Messages to Address
Dealing With the Actual Consequences From Others' Actions
Revenge and Retaliation
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Healing and Recovery
The Role of "Face" and Self-Presentation
Managing Face When You Are the Sender of Unethical Messages
Managing Face When You Are the Receiver of Unethical Messages
Other Impression Management Considerations
Applying Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking to Move Forward
How Senders of Unethical Messages Move Forward
How Receivers of Unethical Messages Move Forward
Chapter 10: Integrating (More) Ethical Communication Into Daily Interactions
Evaluating Your Ethical Interpersonal Communication Messages
Self-Awareness
Feedback From Others
Role of Training in Ethical Interpersonal Communication
How Ethical Training Is (or Is Not) Done
Future Ethical Training Opportunities
Cost–Benefit Analysis for More Ethical Interpersonal Communication
Potential Leadership Failures
The Need for Courage
Kindness Versus Cruelty