Explain the term "communication climate." De?ne the two types of communication climates listed in your

text. How can we prevent ourselves from communicating defensively?

What will be an ideal response?

The communication climate is the emotional atmosphere. It determines the degree of comfort we experience while
interacting with others. A supportive climate, according to Jack Gibb, is one that encourages a free and open
interaction between individuals. A defensive climate inhibits the interaction between individuals. When interacting
with another person who becomes defensive, we can prevent ourselves from communicating defensively by
acknowledging the feelings of the other person. Also, if we begin to perceive ourselves as the cause of someone
else's defensiveness, then we can avoid internalizing the other person's feelings. Finally, we can analyze another
person's behavior to ?nd the cause of their defensiveness. In doing so, we reduce our chances of becoming
defensive in return.