CONTEXTS OF COMMUNICATION CONTEXTX- environments in which communication takes place.

- provide a backdrop against which researchers and theorists can analyze phenomenon. SITUATIONAL CONTEXT- environments limited by a manner of issues, including people, space and feedback. A. INTRAPERSONAL COMMUNICATION - communication with oneself - an internal dialogue and may take place even in te presence of another individual - unique from other contexts in that it includes those times when you imagine, perceive, daydream and solve problems in your head - distinguished from other contexts in that it allows communicators to make attributions about themselves- people have the ability to assess themselves VIRGINA SATIR- believes that these internal dialogues may help individuals bolster their self- esteem Intrapersonal is difficult because it requires to accept their accomplishments and confront their fears and anxieties- looking into a mirror can be both enlightening and frightening. Intrapersonal communication is at the heart of a persons communication activities- without recognizing oneself, it is difficult to recognize another.

SELF- ESTEEM- the positive orientation a person has of himself or herself B. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION - face-to-face communication between people - researchers want to study the relationship of people; they are interested in a host of issues and themes (competence, self disclosure, power, gossip, liking, attraction and emotion) C. SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION composed of a number of people who work together to achieve some common purpose research focuses on task groups as opposed to friendship and family groups there must be at least three people for a small group to exist.

People are influenced by the presence of others COHESIVE- having a high degree to gain multiple perspective on an issue. SYNERGY- process that allows for multiple perspectives on an issue NETWORKING and ROLE BEHAVIOR are two important components of a small group behavior o NETWORKS- communication patterns through which information flows o ROLES- positions of group members and their relationship to the group

D. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION - communication within and among large, extended environments ORGANIZATION- comprise groups that are goal directed HIERARCHY- distinguishes from other contexts - organizing principle demonstrating rankings - there are clear ideas about division of labor, unity of command and unity of direction HAWTHORNE EXPERIMENTS - research studies that found workplace producing increased when changes in environment occurred E. PUBLIC/ PHETORICAL COMMUNICATION - dissemination of information from one person to a large group - speakers usually have three primary goals in mind: - inform - entertain - persuade the core of rhetorical communication - audience analysis, speaker credibility, and delivery of message- are necessarily part of the persuasive process. RHETORIC- speakers available means of persuasion - the art that brings together both speakers and audience F. MASS COMMUNICATION - Targets large audience MASS MEDIA- channels or delivery models for mass messages MASS COMMUNICATION- communication to a large audience via mass media

NEW MEDIA- electronic media (computers) The mass communication context allows both senders and receivers to exercise control o Sources as a newspaper editor or a television broadcaster make decisions about what information should be sent, and receivers have control over what they decide to read, listen to, watch or review. Mass communication context is often more contained and restricted o Communication is influenced by costs, by politics and by other concerns

G. INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION CULTURE- community of meaning and a shared body of local knowledge INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION- communication between individuals with different cultural backgrounds CO- CULTURES- cultural groups that are part of the larger culture The only context that specifically addresses culture. o Explore the interactions and events between and among people of different cultures Study in the intercultural communication context means that researchers inherently accept the fact that human behavior is culturally based. o Culture structures how we act.