NOTES The Nature of the Communication Process The

NOTES The Nature of the Communication Process

The 3 Elements of Communication: 1. Process 2. Meaning 3. Symbols

Element #1: Process • This is the physical action and energy needed to communicate as well as the sequence of actions and the results of the actions

Element #2: Meaning • The thoughts, ideas, and understandings that go along with what is being communicated

Element #3: Symbols • The words (oral, written, or signed) and the non-verbal behaviors (facial expressions, gestures, voice tone, etc. ) that go along with what is being communicated.

5 Principles of Communication (5 things we know that communication is) 1. Transactional 2. Complex 3. Unavoidable 4. Continuous 5. Learned

1. What makes communication TRANSACTIONAL? • It involves an exchange of messages A TRANSACTION is an exchange of one thing for another. Example: giving money to a store for groceries. Or in this case, giving a message and getting feedback in return

2. What makes communication COMPLEX? • It is interactive, symbolic, personal, cultural, irreversible, impossible to duplicate, circular, and purposeful

3. Why is communication UNAVOIDABLE? • It is impossible not to communicate…you communicate when you are alone and when you are asleep. • Even a refusal to communicate is communication!!

4. Why is communication CONTINUOUS? • It goes on and influences every part of our lives

5. Why is communication LEARNED? • It is mostly made up of behaviors that come from the environment and experiences

10 Components (parts) of the Communication Process • • • Context Physical Environment Climate Sender Receiver • • • Message Channel Feedback Noise Barrier

1. What 3 things does context include? • People • Occasion • Task What is it’s function? • It lets you know what is going on in a situation: who is there, why, and what is happening What is an example? Students in speech class writing ideas for “Quick Speaks” Friends, during a vacation to the beach, playing sand volleyball

2. • Definition: the physical space in which communication takes place • Function: Influences the quality of communication • Types: Positive or negative • Examples: inside, outside, cold, hot, room, bus, cubicle, comfortable, uncomfortable, etc *A positive environment is safe, clean, comfortable, and well lit

3. • Definition: the emotional atmosphere in which communication takes place • Function: Influences the emotions, attitudes, and intellectual tone • Types: Positive or negative • Examples: stress, tension, boredom (negative) calmness, laughter, happiness (positive)

4. • Definition: The communicator who takes in data from stimuli, encodes and sends the message • Function: To send the message • Types: None • Example: Someone calling a friend about homework

5. • Definition: The communicator who acquires the message, decodes it, interprets it and reacts • Function: To get the message and give feedback • Types: None • Example: The person who gets a phone call from a friend about homework

6. • Definition: Information exchanged between communicators • Function: Conveys the meaning, feeling, and energy of the communication • Types: Intentional, unintentional; – verbal, vocal, non-verbal • Examples: Stating facts, asking questions, expressing feelings

7. • Definition: One person’s observable response to another person’s message • Function: Provides assurance, opportunities for adjustment, and insight into our own communication ability • Types: Oral, written, non-verbal (pos, neg. , neut. ) • Examples: nod, smile, head shake, words, gestures

8. • Definition: The way chosen to convey(deliver) the message • Function: Provides space and method to send a message • Types: Face-to-face, email, letter, phone call, etc. • Example: Writing a note to a friend

9. • Definition: Anything that interferes with communication and is usually temporary • Function: Interferes with and distracts communication • Types: Internal and external • Examples: (internal) hunger, worry, love, anxiety, illness (external) bells, voices, music, shiny things, movement, as well as odd, unusual clothing and hairstyles that are inappropriate for the context

10. • Definition: Anything that completely blocks communication…usually long term and very hard to eliminate • Function: blocks communication • Types: Internal and External • Examples: (internal) ignorance, jealousy, prejudice, obsessiveness, compulsiveness, over-competitiveness, defensiveness, educational level, financial situation, upbringing, culture, stubborn-hard headedness, oppositional-defiance (external) language differences, hearing problems, unclear speech, physical distance, permanent physical objects

Process Used By the Sender • Getting stimulus from Sensory Perception • Encoding the Message • Choosing a channel • Transmitting the Message

Process Used By The Receiver • Acquiring the message • Decoding the message • Interpreting the message • Reacting (providing feedback)

• Senders ENCODE • Receivers DECODE

People Occasion Task Climate External Barrier channel Internal Barrier External Barrier Sender Internal Barrier channel Receiver

Title: The Class Project Dilemma CONTEXT: Phil and Mary Louise (people) are in the library (occasion) working on a project (task) Physical Environment: Library; Cold; Lots of Light Internal Noise: Mary Louise is impatient with Phil’s behavior and worried about their grade Internal Noise: Phil is hungry , tired, and nervous that Mary Louise might find out his problem Climate: Tense and uncomfortable because they are not communicating well and do not like each other Message: So which part of the project do you want to do? External/Internal Barrier: Phil cannot read or write well and he is too embarrassed to admit it so he acts like he doesn’t care External Noise: The band is practicing right outside the window where they are sitting Internal Barrier: Mary Louise is prejudiced against guys “like Phil” that act like slackers Channel: Face-to-Face Receiver: Phil Sender: Mary Louise Feedback: The part where I sleep and you do all the work! Channel: Face-to-Face External Noise: There are lots of people walking around and distracting Phil