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Michelle Johnson, assistant professor of communication at The College of Wooster since 1997, has done extensive research in the areas of friendship and family relations, particularly in how people use communication to solicit social support from others and to deal with conflict.

Prior to her arrival at Wooster, Johnson taught at Hope College and at the University of Arizona, where she earned both her master's degree and her Ph.D. She earned her bachelor's degree in interpersonal communication from Northeast Missouri State University, now known as Truman State University.

Johnson has co-authored essays in Personal Relationships, Law and Society Review, and Communication Monographs. She has also delivered several papers at professional conferences.

A member of the National Communication Association, the International Communication Association, the International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships, and the International Network on Personal Relationships, Johnson is an advisor for Wooster's Communication Club and Lambda Pi Eta chapter.

Past Q&A's

On Family Communication
Communication skills can go a long way toward maintaining harmony in family relationships. Michelle Johnson, a visiting assistant professor of communication at The College of Wooster, has done extensive research in the areas of friendship and family relations. In this column she points out some helpful approaches to supporting others and dealing with conflicts.

What fundamental communication skills are necessary for all family members?

It is important to realize that what you say and do in an interaction is your choice, not the fault or blame of the other(s) in the interaction. You choose to continue a cycle of complaint or insult or to do something different. Some choices may be difficult to carry out, but what you do and say is your choice. When talking to each other, listen actively and empathetically. Put yourself in the other's shoes, touch each other affectionately and appropriately. Touch is instrumental to healthy physical and mental development. Talk openly, directly, and honestly. Apologize sincerely when you've done something wrong or hurtful, and compliment and speak positively with each other much, much more than you criticize or complain. Treat everyone as a valuable and important person.

How important is effective communication in maintaining family harmony?

If effective communication is defined as achieving one's goals, then whether effective communication leads to harmony depends on the goals the people bring to the interaction. On the other hand, if effective communication is defined as being appropriate and upholding each other's value and worth, then effective communication is very likely to lead to harmony.

What are the most effective communication skills for resolving conflict in the family and elsewhere?

Before confronting the other in a conflict, remember four things: accept responsibility; be supportive of the other; work honestly to understand the other's point of view, and avoid raising your voice, insulting the other, and getting defensive.

Deal with the conflict as soon as possible - do not avoid it. Avoidance typically leads to the festering of the conflict and should be reserved as a temporary strategy when the situation is not appropriate for conflict (i.e., a public setting) or when one or both parties need time to get emotions in check. When emotions are out of control, people get really hurt...physically and psychologically. Remember to be open and encourage the other to be open.

Should communication and conflict resolution skills be taught to children within the family?

Certainly. The best way to do so is to model good behavior. Children do what their parents do (more often than they do what their parents say...if actions and words contradict, children will follow the actions).

Do males and females communicate differently within the family structure?

While there are certainly gender differences in communication, there are also many communicative similarities between men and women. In terms of the differences, females tend to be focused on emotions and relationships in their communication. Males tend to be focused on activities and tasks. Females tend to be more concerned with having people like them. Males tend to be more concerned with solving problems. Females use more listening cues (head nods, saying "okay," smiling, etc.) than males. Males are more likely to interrupt than females. These are just some examples.

How can parents enhance communication and reduce conflict among their children?

First assess family roles. Girls tend to be overburdened with responsibility (cooking, cleaning, baby sitting), and boys tend to underfunction in meeting the emotional needs of the family because they are not encouraged to do so. Second, validate the importance of sibling relationships. On average, sibling relationships are the longest relationships we have in our lives. Third, encourage perspective taking. It is important to understand that we all perceive situations and actions differently. Finally, be mindful of sibling abuse (hitting, biting, teasing, sexual abuse, etc). Parents should investigate what their children are up to, but be very careful to avoid jumping to conclusions about what did happen between siblings. Be willing to investigate...talk to the children separately...believe them...don't dismiss things as trivial.

What has today's technology done to the way we communicate within the family?

Technology has the potential to isolate family members from one another. However, technology also has the potential to bring family members closer together. It just depends on how the technology is used/what the technology is.


Last updated: January 10, 2006 · For more information, contact John Finn