Communication in nursing

Module 1 Case Study
Clarence is Rebecca’s elderly grandfather who sometimes drives her to school in the City of Calgary
(Mohkinstsis) when she occasionally misses her bus. On this particular morning, Clarence takes
advantage of this 20-minute commute to teach his teenage granddaughter about her own Blackfoot
culture. Today’s lesson was about the significance of the Honor Song (Ka nai tapi). When they first get
in the car, Rebecca puts on some hip hop music. Her grandfather shuts that off, and instead puts on the
special powwow/honor song on the car stereo.
As they drive, he explains that the song they are listening to is an ‘Honor’ song. He explains that an
honor song is played for someone who has gained knowledge and this song is sung for them so they can
continue to try (Iiyiikaikimaat). He talks to her about the importance of focusing on her schoolwork, so
that she can achieve success. He shares some experiences from his own childhood and about her
striving for achievement.
At the beginning of the car ride, Rebecca is looking over at her grandfather, nodding to what he says,
and sometimes asking questions. As they get closer to the high school, Rebecca starts to fidget, and
looks out the window rather than at her grandfather, no longer nodding or asking questions. As they
approach the school grounds, she sees a group of her friends from her basketball team. She says to her
grandfather, “I’m turning this music off!” as she does so. Her grandfather feels hurt, and tries not to
show it. Rather, as she gets out of the car, he says, “Learn lots today. Have a good day.”
Part A: Case study questions (32 marks)
Answer each of the following questions in approximately 100 words, unless a higher word count is
recommended.
1. DeVito, Shimoni, and Clark (2016) contend that the nature of interpersonal communication has
seven various characteristics (pp. 4-9). Select and describe one of these characteristics, and
explain how the interaction between Clarence and Rebecca illustrates that characteristic. (5
marks)
2. Rebecca experiences both enculturation and acculturation, concepts DeVito et al. (2016) discuss
on p. 27. Give an example of Rebecca’s experience with both of these and their influence on her
ethnic identity. (6 marks)
3. As an adolescent, Rebecca is developing her self-concept, which according to DeVito et al.
(2016) is influenced by four sources (p.48). Select two of these sources, and describe how they
are contributing to the development Rebecca’s self-concept. (6 marks)
4.
a. What interpretation-evaluation (DeVito, et. al., 2016, pp.57-58) does Clarence make of
Rebecca’s behaviour at the end of the car ride, and why? What is one other
interpretation-evaluation he could make?
b. When he drives her home from school, he will do a perception check (DeVito et. al.,
2016, p.64) with her about his impression of her behaviour. What can Clarence say to
Rebecca when he does this perception check? Be as specific as possible. (5 marks)
5. Rebecca experiences a listening barrier as she and her grandfather get closer to the school.
Which one of the four types of listening barriers that DeVito et al. (2016) offer on pp. 80-82 does
she experience? Explain your answer. Then, provide three strategies for effective listening (from
anywhere in Chapter 4) that she could use to overcome that listening barrier. Be specific; state
what she could have expressed verbally or nonverbally and/or state what she could have done
in her own mind in those last moments of that car ride. (10 points) (100-200 words)
Part B: Field Study (15 marks)
Think about a time in your life experience where you communicated with a person from a different
culture, and that communication was difficult, uncomfortable, or resulted in misunderstanding. Reflect
on this situation and write the following (250 words):
1. Describe the situation clearly: who was involved? When and where did this take place? What
cultures are you and the other person from? Who said and did what in the interaction? What
was the result of the interaction? What went wrong? (5 marks)
2. Consider the strategies for improving intercultural communication that DeVito et al. (2016)
provide on pp.37-45. What are two strategies that you could have used in the intercultural
interaction you just explained. Provide a description of each strategy, and explain specifically
how you could have used it and why its use might have resulted in more effective
communication. (10 marks)
Part C: APA formatting (5 marks)
Ensure that your assignment is set up in APA format. Each time you invoke the textbook, whether by
paraphrasing the authors’ words or by quoting them, provide an in-text citation in APA format. Include a
reference list at the end. The reference list should include only one entry, that is, for your textbook. That
reference entry must be formatted in APA format.