Example Of Intergenerational Theory

Intergroup Theory

1) Intergenerational communication has always been a source of frustration especially in communication where the age gap is largest. Because of the broadness of the topic, there are several different theories and ideas on the ideal intergenerational communication. As all participants are very different, it becomes very difficult to differentiate between the right and wrong strategies for successful communication. People need to associate themselves with the communication that seems most closely related and accurate to their functioning capabilities. There are many aspects that can produce a positive or negative interaction. Sociologists, social psychologists and other people most interested in this form of communication

Ingroup members converge their speech with similar tone and expressions. When we communicate with an outgroup member the speech is generally diverged and unnatural, occasionally with patronizing tone. When we speak to either converge, or diverge, it shows the focus of our attention on our own, and partners’ speech styles. This effort may have to be put forth when engaging in intergenerational speech because of the sociolinguistic exclusion in which either participant may feel if unfamiliar terms or phrases are used. In certain cases when we need to use interpretability strategies in order simplify or clarify the communication for both members. It is important not to over-accommodate in intergenerational communication because elderly do not appreciate the toddler style patronizing

The communication accommodation theory focuses more on the reasons for different speech patterns through communication. These two theories both similarly have social confides that effect the interaction. The intergroup theory discusses how people put themselves into groups that they feel more comfortable in, and the communication accommodation theory relates that relationship to the quality of the communication. Just as a person behaves differently with an ingroup and outgroup member, speech is different for both groups as well. While the life span theory explains how people in their ingroup generally interact mostly with people in their own group and act differently when outside the group. The CAT theory discusses how communication is affected by these feelings. The speech is more difficult because when someone talks to someone of the outgroup they will diverge the conversation and it does not go as smoothly. People however do continue to set restraints and each person can make adjustments to be in command of the conversation or to accommodate to the needs of the other