Haim Ginotts Theories of Congruent Communication

BY ALEXANDER CHOON HUA

 Born Haim Ginzburg Ginott in 1922,

Ginott was a school teacher, a child psychologist and psychotherapist and a parent educator. An Israeli and started teaching in elementary school in 1947. Emigrated to United States to study psychology at Clumbia University. Earned a doctorate in clinical psychology in 1952. Well renowned books: Between Parent and Child (1965), Between Parent and Teenager (1967) and

 Congruence in mathematics means coinciding exactly

when placed over. So in congruent communication, it means that we communicate in congruence with our behaviour. For example, I may say I like you but my body language can tell differently. Charles (1999) cited Ginotts explanation on congruent communication: Congruent Communication is a style of speaking that does not attack others, but instead remains harmonious with feelings being experienced.

Congruent Communication Strategies 1. Addresses students action instead of their character It will help if you raise your hand, Jerry. 2. Invites cooperation between teachers and students Come Ali, help me take this to the staffroom. I need to see Lilys parents in the principals office.

Non-congruent communication strat. 1. Prejudiced and usually labels students Dont act like a clown when you laughed at me, Gary! 2. Denies students feeling and attack them Shelon, you have not submitted even one of the assignments this week. If you spent more time doing your assignments instead of giving lame excuses, you would be a much more productive. 3. Demands rather than inviting cooperation Shah, you will finish your

3. Accepts and acknowledges the feelings of both students and teachers

Congruent Communication Strategies

Non-congruent communication strat.

4. Use brevity/concise words in correcting misbehavior Stella, please put that away

5. Expresses anger appropriately Ken, I am sorry that you feel like I was mistreating you.

4. Shows students that the teacher cannot maintain their own temper-and therefore why should they? I am getting sick and tired of this noisy class. Everytime I have to remind all of you the rules but everyday is the same thing. 5. Invades students privacy Come here now David. I need to look at your backpack because Andy said his toy

 Correcting by directing

-misbehaviours are dealt by redirecting studentss behaviour patterns to more acceptable ones. Behavior contract plan -teacher sets behavior terms in a contract for students and they will have to adhere to it. This will incept the idea that the teacher trusts in him or her. -teacher should also uphold their end of the bargain so that students can feel a partial control and ownership of their own behavior.

 Convey an attitude of helpfulness and

acceptance Teachers must be careful in imparting messages and they must think of the impact of their message to students self-esteem. A caring and conducive learning environment must be cultivated by the teacher so that discipline problems can be nipped in its bud.

 Ginott brings the psychology of classroom

management into practice. If students still has disciplinary problems after many interventions, congruent communication might help to heal the problem because Ginotts communication model teaches teacher how to talk to children/students. Congruent communication will result in a more caring and loving classroom environment. Thus, students will feel appreciated and belonged. Teacher can try setting up behavior contracts in the beginning of the year continuously update and uphold the bargain. For example, new behavior terms can be added or removed while reward can be given to

Sample of behaviour contract

Continued...
Our students come from different races and

religion. So congruent communication is a more culturally responsive form of communication. Teacher can avoid racial sentiment with an attitude of helpfulness and respect as emphasized by Ginott.