Jennifer Aniston: A Theoretical Analysis

According to Steven A. and Susan J. Beebe, ethics can be defined as “the beliefs, values, and moral principles by which people determine what is right or wrong” (27). I do feel that the country, as a whole, lacks an ethical base. From Washington D.C. to the boardrooms of major conglomerates, I definitely think this country could use a refresher course in ethical behavior.

The ethical issues involved with this comment are complex. I am sure we are all guilty of using a word that is not considered politically correct at least once in our lives. I myself have done so, and on more than one occasion. However, since Jennifer Aniston is a celebrity who was speaking live on a nationally aired television show, she caught more flack than you or I would.

and Susan J. Beebe’s “A Concise Public Speaking Handbook,” some ways to assist you in overcoming nerves are know your audience, do not procrastinate, be prepared, be organized, and breathe. By knowing your audience, “you can anticipate their reactions to your speech” (10). If you were to procrastinate, “the lack of thorough preparation often results in a poorer speech performance, which reinforces a speaker’s perception that public speaking is difficult” (Beebe 10). When you are prepared you will be able to show “…that you have researched your topic, developed a logically coherent outline, and practiced your speech…” (Beebe 11). Being organized will make your speech easier to present because “most speeches should have a beginning, a middle, and an end and should follow a logical outline pattern” (Beebe 11). Breathing is a tip that does not necessarily need an explanation, but according to Beebe and Beebe, “besides breathing deeply, try to relax your entire body” (12). I think that these are the most realistic of the tips, and I think that following these tips will help with my nerves, at least in

Information overload can be explained as follows, “according to the working memory theory of listening, as listeners, we find it harder to concentrate on and remember messages when our working memory is full” (Beebe 35). Personal concern listening barriers are just what they sound like. We cannot fully listen to the speaker because we are thinking about personal issues, like what to make for dinner, or that philosophy midterm we have coming up. Outside distractions are again, exactly what they sound like. The listener is distracted by the ambient temperature of the room not being comfortable, or the people behind you having a conversation. As for prejudice, that creates a listening barrier when the listener has decided before-hand that they disagree or plain dislike whatever topic you are about to discuss, so they tune you out. The listening barrier that I most often fall victim to would definitely be the personal concern barrier. I constantly am distracted by my own thoughts and find it difficult to tune into the conversation at times. Sometimes I do not even realize I am doing it until I tune back in and realize how much of the conversation I have actually missed. I can overcome this barrier by first understanding my listening style, which according to Beebe and Beebe is mostly “relational-oriented” (40), and also by “practice listening” (39). The nine