Reflection Paper 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reflection Paper 2 - Essay Example Social psychologists David W. Merill and Roger H. Reid defined social styles as the ability to help others understand things (Thompson, 2002, p. 21). During an interview, social styles are applied to communication so that both persons helped each other understand what they are saying and conflicts can be prevented. There are four social styles identified by Merill and Reid, namely: direct (driver), spirited (expressive), considerate (amiable), and systematic (analytical) social styles. Each of the four styles is unique from each other depending on the level of assertiveness and responsiveness. Assertiveness is the degree in which a person influences other people either by directly telling them what they think or asking other people’s thoughts before they tell their own thoughts. Meanwhile, responsiveness is the manner by which a person responds to other peoples comment either through used of factual words or conveyance of emotional words or gestures (Thompson, 2002, p. 23). Di rect (Driver) social style has high assertiveness and controls emotions. People of this style by are decisive, has formal speech, direct eye contact, maintain physical distance, coercive and poor listener. The spirited (expressive) type displays emotions and has high level of assertiveness.