GIBB CATEGORIES ACTIVITY
Summary
Jack Gibb was a scholar who spent his career studying the connection between interpersonal climate and interaction. He addressed that there are two types of interpersonal climates: defensive atmosphere and supportive climate. He identified six different six defensive behaviours and six different supportive behaviours during interpersonal communication. The defensive behaviour implies that the person who is participating in a conversation is feeling psychological pressure during that particular conversation. The psychological stress leads to a sensation of threat around that person. The threat he/she feels is the primary cause of his/her defensive behaviours. The supportive behaviours stand on the very opposite end of that spectrum. Supportive behaviours show that a connection is building between the persons who indulge in a conversation. He also identified the appropriate place and time when his methods of communication can be used. However, he believed that his theory is more applicable in the cultures where human interaction is comparatively direct and bold. One cannot classify defensive behaviours as negative and supportive behaviour as positive. Gibbs mentioned that there are times when defensive behaviours are necessary.
Conversely, supportive behaviour can lead to miscommunication in a specific situation. Therefore, there are no fixed formulae using which one can definitively say when to use which type of behaviour and what implications those bring. The knowing of correct usage of his methods comes from a deep understanding of the nature of human communication and reality. The six types of defensive behaviours that Gibbs identified are the evaluation, certainty, and control orientation, Neutrality, Superiority and Strategy. Evaluation is the form of expression in which people try to evaluate the other person as good or bad- there is no space for grey. Certainty is the behaviour that makes one person very firm about his/her opinion. Control Orientation is evident when one person is trying to take control of an individual situation. Neutrality is another form of defensive behaviour in which the person detaches him/herself from all the possible opinions. Superiority makes one person believe that his/her view is far better than the other person. Another form of defensive behaviour is seen when one person tries to manipulate others with some hidden agenda. On the other hand, supportive behaviours are:
Description: In this behaviour, the person has objectively described another person’s activities without judging them.
Provisionalism: It comes from the belief that every situation is subject to multiple points of view; there is no absolute reality.
Problem Orientation: The person is identifying the problem and tries to find the way out with her/his fellows.
Empathy: It enables a person to realise the emotional grounds of others and try to put oneself in the shoes of other persons.
Equality: It helps to identify other person’s opinions and understand the worth of it even it is contrary to one’s personal beliefs.
Spontaneity: The spontaneity shows a direct and spontaneous approach to any situation.