Cognitive complexity, communication competence, and verbal ability

This study examined the relationships among cognitive complexity, verbal ability, and communication competence in classroom communication. Moderate correlations between cognitive complexity and verbal ability and between communication competence and verbal ability were found. Minimal association was apparent between the overall communication competence score and cognitive complexity. However, those communication competence skills possessed by high complex subjects focused on nonverbal encoding and decoding abilities. High verbal ability subjects tended to excel in verbal encoding and organization skills. Implications for teaching and future research are presented.