"RHETORICAL SENSITIVITY," SEX OF INTERACTANTS, AND SUPERIOR-SUBORDINATE COMMUNICATION

LINDA MCCALLISTER, Purdue University

Abstract

The present study was designed in large part to explore possible relationships between an individual's attitudes toward communication (as measured by the RHETSEN scale) and actual verbal utterances located in the superior-subordinate situation. Specifically, this was a study of discourse used by "Noble Selves," "Rhetorical Sensitives," and "Rhetorical Reflectors" as superiors in two simulated superior-subordinate reprimand situations. The effects of sex of interactants upon the superior's message content, and the effects of directive and non-directive managerial styles upon message content were also examined. The data base consisted of actual verbal messages (in written form) produced by Noble Self, Rhetorical Sensitive, and Rhetorical Reflector subjects. Data were collected from 200 male and female subjects in the setting of a simulated reprimand interview consisting of four successive utterances identified as follows: R(,1) E(,1) R(,2) E(,2). Where R(,1) = initial statement by superior; E(,1) = initial response by employee; R(,2) = superior's next (2nd) statement; and E(,2) = employee's response to R(,2). The stimulus situation, then, consisted of two interlocking "double interacts": the first = R(,1) E(,1) R(,2); and the second = E(,1) R(,2) E(,2). Just before they were exposed to the R(,2) utterance, each subject wrote a message labeled "R(,2)Preferred." Each subject followed this procedure for both a directive and non-directive reprimand interview. Finally, the subjects were asked to predict the employee's responses to the directive and non-directive reprimands of the hypothetical superior. That is, the subjects themselves produced a final act of the second double-interact, E(,2). A category system was generated from the subject's R(,2)Preferred messages. Content analysis was employed to determine frequencies of occurrence with which each category appeared in the messages. The predicted responses (E(,2)) were analyzed dichotomously, in terms of predicted employee COMPLIANCE or NON-COMPLIANCE with the expressed wishes of the superior. Seven primary categories emerged from the messages (R(,2)Preferred) produced by all subjects. They were: EMPATHY, INTOLERANCE, SOLUTION, COMPANY NEEDS, RESPONSIBILITY, HOME AND WORK, and INFORMATION REQUEST. Sub-categories emerged from three of the primary categories. They were: (1) QUALIFIED and UNQUALIFIED EMPATHY; (2) WORK CENTERED, SUPERIOR-CENTERED, EMPLOYEE-CENTERED, and PROBLEM-CENTERED SOLUTIONS; and with respect to the relationship between HOME AND WORK, (3) HOME MORE IMPORTANT, WORK MORE IMPORTANT, WORK EQUAL TO HOME, and HOME AND WORK SEPARATE. The quantitative findings revealed there were both identifiable differences and similarities in the communicative behaviors among the Noble Selves, Rhetorical Sensitives, and Rhetorical Reflectors, but these differences and similarities "shifted" or interacted with the overall style of the communication situation and with the sex of the interactants. The findings indicate that RHETSEN accurately identifies Noble Selves and one other type of communicator, but only possibly a third. The analysis indicates that all three RHETSEN types adapt their communicative behaviors to "fit" the situation, but they adapt in different ways. The research suggests that differential treatment of employees based on sex is still a problem in need of attention and that a sex bias, which can affect the superior-subordinate relationship, can be detected in the discourse of interactants. Finally, the subjects felt that the directive style reprimand would be more effective in producing employee COMPLIANCE to the superior's wishes.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Communication

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