Whether you realize it or not, your conversation style is communicating a message of either hierarchy or solidarity. Why does this matter? Because our interpersonal communication influences the relationships that make up our society-and when a sense of commonality is lacking, we are all negatively impacted.
Establishing face-to-face conversation as a type of social superstructure, A Socialist View of Interpersonal Communication pinpoints five vital characteristics that express these opposing social views: address, self-disclosure, seating, eye contact, and touch. Author and professor Norman Markel, PhD, describes how, by being conscious of these behaviors, you can choose to step away from the current conversation trends reinforcing hierarchy, and instead converse in such a way as to promote a foundation of democratic and compassionate interpersonal relationships. He emphasizes that while society does consist of different ranks and levels, everyone can choose to express solidarity...regardless of their role.
A fascinating look at how Marxist thinking is still relevant in regards to everyday behavior, this book invites you to practice a new way of conversing that can improve the infrastructure of our evermore alienated society.
About the Author: Norman Markel, PhD, earned his doctorate in psychology from the University of Chicago and is currently professor emeritus at the University of Florida, where he taught in the departments of communication studies, linguistics, anthropology, and psychology. Author of The Five Vital Signs of Conversation, Semiotic Psychology: Speech as an Index of Attitudes and Emotions, and Psycholinguistics: An Introduction to Speech and Personality, he has also written many research articles whose references can be found online at www.psychologyofconversation.com.
Dr. Markel was the first state president of the United Faculty of Florida, NEA/AFT, and his political interests led him to help found the Metro Atlanta chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, as well as become a member of the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism.
