Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
The specific concept from Chapter 1 in our textbook that I found extremely useful for me is the importance of source credibility or "the extent to which a communicator is considered believable and competent".
As a PR major, we study source credibility in almost every class. People often want to be such a credible source they sometmes cross a very fine line that leads to unethical practices.
An example is that often drug companies will write a scholarly article and pay a doctor to sign their name to it. This is unethical as public relations and medical professionals.
This brings up the argument of disclosure. How much should a company or person disclose? But they may be stepping a little bit away from credibility.
As a public relations professional I deal with credibility within my work field very often.
I also do tours of my work environmental facilities as part of my profession. If I do not seem knowledgably as a source, many of the public will not take what I am telling them about the facility seriously, and they may question my credibility. To help this I explain my job for the environmental department and let them know I am experienced with giving tours there.
When I receive questions on the tour I answer them with certainty. When I receive a question that I do not know the answer to I am honest and tell them I do not know the answer to the question, but I am always able to lead them to someone who does know. I believe this adds to my
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Good topic to choose from. Source credibility is a large issue today with working professionals such a doctors backing up a certain product. I believe it is like bending the rules through words and content. Source Credibility is important and being able to tell whats credible and whats not is important for companies and for people.
ReplyDeleteIf one was to consider buying a new product on the market whether it was an energy drink,perscription or beauty product and it was not approved properly by the FDA or similar credible clearing agency then who can fully trust the product. I do agree with you that if people are crossing the line of whats ethical the problem grows and eventually trust is being questioned more and more putting more emphasis on credibility.
I really enjoyed your post. Creditbility is a major element that people are drawn toward. What is even harder is to build creditbility in a highly competitive business world. I found the chapter intersting in this topic.
ReplyDeleteI wish the chapter would have went into more detail and given more examples about creditbility and how businesses have coped with losing or gaining their own image.
Credibility in anything is very important let alone communication. In business world, one has to be credible not just to himself/herself but to their clients, shareholders and the community. People are impressed by individuals that give them the correct information and not made up fantasy that will sound good for the first few seconds.
ReplyDeleteYou have to wonder who thought credibility and ethics to some of the executives at the more known corporations.
Often people will misrepresent little details thinking that it won't hurt the other person, but in reality they are not helping them. In a two way communication, the receiver enters the relationship expecting truth and trust, and once the credibility factor gets omitted the communication relationship will suffer.
This aspect of Chapter one was very relevant for me as well. One's words cannot be believable if the communicator is not credible. There is so much information that is shared through different mediums of communication. Credibility is what makes every aspect of communication effective. As a PR major, as you mentioned, this aspect of your career seems crucial. In representing and promoting others especially. Credibility is what allows other to believe. There are numerous factors that contribute to the degree that a communicator appears credible. Their background, experience, reactions to situations and perhaps even relationships.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and how you described credibility relating to your work environment. The example you use of the tours you conduct at the facilities of your work was a good one. I especially like the how if you didn't know the answer you would direct the person to someone who knew. Not only does that help with credibility in my opinion it also builds personal character.
ReplyDeleteI encounter many questions at my place of employment and I use the same tactics that you do. Although I do not work in PR, the same practice works for me. The people I encounter on a daily basis know that I will be able to provide an answer or direct them to the right place to find out the answer.
Hello ImaginePeace! To what extent do you think a speaker needs to show credibility? In other words, what are the speakers responsibilities when they are trying to convey credibility? What do they need to do in order to convey credibility?
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