Self-monitoring in Communication
The linear model of communication is faced with challenges that can only be beaten by a speaker’s ability to employ efficient figures of speech. The linear model of communication gives the speaker a priority over the audience in that the speaker does not receive the response directly from the audience. Complains and compliments from the audience in a linear model are only received indirectly, and in most of the cases, the speaker is not obliged to consider the reactions. Self-monitoring can be defined in the context of communication as a personal trait that explains the efficiency by which one controls and regulates the communication behavior for effective communication. Self-monitors are always concerned with the perception of the audience towards them. In the linear model of communication, self-monitoring aims at improving the speaker’s efficiency in passing the intended information accurately to a willing and concentrative audience.
The linear model of communication can be unfruitful if done without proper consideration of the audience’s response. Several audiences will perceive information given to them without the proper use of language devices as being rude and authoritative (Walther, 2007). The use of authoritative language when making direct communication has higher chances of creating rebellion since the views of the audience are not considered. In several occasions, speakers with the habit of self-monitoring are always ambitious and care very much about how the audience perceives the information given to them. Most self-monitoring individuals are leaders who regularly meet different types of audiences and therefore should be keen on the impression that they will create upon meeting each group. The linear model of communication does not allow a direct response from the audience, and thus the speaker has the responsibility that any form of response that could be obtained is well-taken care of in the speech presentation. The efficiency of direct model communication is enhanced by proper self-monitoring.
Self-monitoring is crucial in passing unique information and solving disputes. In the event of crises, the most appropriate response could be giving a linear model of communication to address a particular problem affecting an audience. However, the audience could comprise of problematic people who could be waiting for miscommunications from the speaker to cause problems (Heisler et al. 2012). Self-monitoring comes in to save a speaker from such possibilities and thus is an essential tool in linear model communication. For example, an individual could be meeting an artificial intelligence therapist, where interactional communication is not allowed; the therapist expects some information from the client to give relevant advice (Kizilcec et al. 2017). The client is responsible for the advice obtained since the advice depends on the information. Also, a speaker could be expected to give a briefing where the audience is unknown in advance. The speaker, therefore, should be ready for any audience and self-monitoring can help to ease such a dilemma. The effectiveness of self-monitoring will, however, depend on the diagnosis done. Since self-monitoring requires professionalism in making the diagnosis, it is always not an easy option to go by before making a speech.
In sum, the linear model of communication greatly relies on self-monitoring for successful passing of information. In most cases, the linear model of communication will not bear the intended fruits if the response from the audience is not considered. The consideration of the audience’s response calls for the use of self-monitoring. Self-monitoring serves best to avoid disputes that could arise due to inadequate response consideration by the speakers.