Table of Contents

Keys to Healthy Communication, first and foremost, gives you scientifically based recommendations to improve your communication health in all three realms of your life and gives you ways to assess the health of others’ communication.

Preface i

Acknowledgements iv

SECTION I – OVERVIEW 1

Chapter 1 - A Perspective of Health and Wellness 1

Chapter 2 - The Importance of Communication to Health 11

Chapter 3 - The Evolution of the Human Brain 20


SECTION II – FIRST KEY: AUTHENTICITY 33

Chapter 4 - Determining Reality, Right and Wrong 33

Chapter 5 - Reciprocal Self-Disclosure in a Healthy Relationship 51

Chapter 6 - Trust, Confidence and Societal Health 63


SECTION III – SECOND KEY: EMPATHY 78

Chapter 7 - Empathy and Personal Health 78

Chapter 8 - Empathy in a Healthy Relationship 88

Chapter 9 - Empathy in a Diverse Society 97



SECTION IV – THIRD KEY: EMPOWERMENT 106

Chapter 10 - Personal Empowerment 106

Chapter 11 - Empowerment in a Healthy Relationship 120

Chapter 12 - Healthy Decision Making in Our Society 130


SECTION V - UNLOCKING DOORS 145

Chapter 13 - A Lifelong Plan for Healthy Communication 145

Chapter 14 - Developing Attitudes and Skills for Healthy Communication 162


Appendix A: Fact Checks—Useful Resources on the Internet 175

Appendix B: Trustworthy News Sources 180

Endnotes 181