Communication Perspective

Communication

The process of creating or sharing meaning in informal conversation, group interaction, or public speaking.

The process includes participants, context, messages, feedback, channels, noise and feedback.

Participants

People communicating, assuming the roles of senders and receivers during communication.

Context

Physical context Social context

Historical context
Psychological context Cultural context

Messages

The elements of meanings, symbols, encoding and decoding, and form or organization

Meaning: The ideas and feelings that exist in your mind Symbols: Words, sounds and actions that represent significant content meaning

Messages Contd

Encoding: The process of transforming ideas and feelings into words, sounds and actions - discussion point: how is anger expressed?

Decoding: The process of transforming messages back into ideas and feelings Form or organization: The methodology of conveying of complex meaning

Channels

Both the route traveled by the message and the means of transportation Sensory channels ( face-to-face) Sound( verbal symbols) and light (non verbal cues)

Noise

Any stimulus that interferes with sharing meaning External noises: sights, sounds and other stimuli that draw away peoples attention Internal noises: thoughts and feelings that interfere with the communication process

Semantic Noises: unintended meaning caused by certain symbols inhibiting the accuracy of decoding.

Feedback

The response to a message It determines whether meaning has been successfully understood or not Discussion point: Based on the feedback, do you think you effectively convey your messages?

Communication Functions

We communicate to meet needs We communicate to enhance and maintain our sense of self We communicate to fulfill social obligations We communicate to develop relationships We communicate to exchange information We communicate to influence others

Communication Settings

Interpersonal communication settings Problem solving group settings Public speaking settings Electronically mediated communication settings -Discussion point: Is electronic correspondence taking over face-to-face correspondence?

Communication Principles

Communication is continuous Communication messages vary in conscious encoding - spontaneous expression - scripted messages - constructed messages

Communication Principles

Communication is relational: In any communication setting people not only share content meaning but also negotiate their relationship Complementary relationships Symmetrical relationships

Communication Principles

Communication is culturally bound Cultural diversity: variations between and among people To address cultural diversity we should be empathetic towards other people and have knowledge of various aspects of their culture

Communication Principles

Communication has ethical implications Ethics: a set of moral principles that maybe held by a society, a group or an individual. Five ethical standards influence our communication and guide our behaviour

Communication Principles

Truthfulness and honesty Integrity Fairness Respect Responsibility

- Discussion point: discuss various examples of these ethical standards

Communication Principles

Communication is a skill Skills can be developed, learned and improved