Elements of the Communication Process

In Chapter One, we learned communication is the process of creating or sharing meaning in informal conversation, group interaction, or public speaking. To understand how the process works, we described the essential elements in the process.

For the following interaction, identify the contexts, participants, channels. message, interference (noise), and feedback.

“Maria and Damien are meandering through the park, talking and drinking bottled water. Damien finishes his bottle, replaces the lid, and tosses the bottle into the bushes at the side of the path. Maria, who has been listening to Damien talk, comes to a stop, puts her hand on her hips, stares at Damien, and says angrily, ” I can’t believe what you just did! Damien blushes, averts his gaze, and mumbles, “Sorry, I’ll get it- I just wasn’t thinking.” As the tension drains from Maria’s face. she gives her head a playful toss, smiles, and says, Well, just see that it doesn’t happen again.

1. Contexts

a. Physical

b. Social

c. Historical

d. Psychological

2. Participants

3. Channels

4. Message

5. Interference (Noise)

6. Feedback

Verderber, Verderber, Sellnow

COMMUNICATE!

Chapter 1

Communication

Perspectives

Learning Outcomes

LO1

Discover the nature of

communication

and the

communication process

LO2

Identify characteristics of

communication

LO3

Explore the major tenets

of ethical

communication

LO1

Discover the nature of

communication and the

communication process

Nature of Communication

Communication is the

process through which we

express, interpret, coordinate

messages with others in order

to relate shared meaning, meet

social goals, manage personal

identity, carry out

relationships

LO1

Messages
• Verbal utterances, visual images,

nonverbal behaviors used to convey
thoughts and feelings

– Encoding – creating messages

– Decoding – interpreting messages

– Feedback – message in response to message
indicating how interpreted

– Canned plans and scripts
LO1

Contexts
• The situation in which communication

takes place.

– Physical

– Social

– Historical

– Psychological

– Cultural

LO1

Settings
• Differentiate interactions based on number

of participants and extent to which
interaction is formal or informal

– Intrapersonal communication

– Interpersonal communication

– Small group communication

– Public communication

– Mass communication LO1

Communication Process

• Complex set of different and interrelated
activities intended to result in shared
meaning

– Message production sub-process

– Message interpretation sub-process

– Interaction coordination

LO1

Channels

• Both route traveled by message and
means of transportation

LO1

Interference (Noise)

• External noises

• Internal noises

• Semantic noises

LO1

LO2

Identify characteristics

of communication

Communication

Has Purpose

• To develop and maintain sense of self.

• To meet our social needs.

• To develop and maintain relationships.

• To exchange information.

• To influence others.

LO2

Communication Is

Continuous

We are always sending

and interpreting messages.

LO2

Communication Is

Irreversible

Once exchange takes place,

we can never ignore it, take it

back, or pretend it did not occur.

LO2

Communication Is

Situated

Communication occurs within

a communication setting that

affects how messages are produced,

interpreted, and coordinated.

LO2

Communication Is

Indexical

• How we communicate is a measure of

emotional temperature of relationship

– Signaling level of trust

– Indicating who has control

• Complementary feedback

• Symmetrical feedback

– Revealing degree of intimacy

LO2

Communication Is

Learned

• Messages vary in conscious thought

–Spontaneous expressions

–Scripted messages

–Constructed messages

LO2

Communication Is Guided by
Cultural Norms

• Culture – system or shared beliefs,

values, symbols, and behaviors.

• How messages are formed and

interpreted depends on the cultural

background of the participants.

LO2

LO3

Explore the major tenets

of ethical
communication

Communication and

Ethics

• Ethical principles

– Truthful and honest

– Act with integrity

– Behave fairly

– Demonstrate respect

– Responsible

LO3

Communication and
Ethics

• Dark side messages – inappropriate and/or

unethical communication

• Bright side

• Hard side

• Easy side

• Evil side

LO3

Communication

Competence

Communication is effective when it achieves

its goals and appropriate when it conforms

to what is expected in a situation.

LO3

Perceptions of

Competence
• Motivation – can improve communication only if

want to.

• Knowledge – must know what to do.

• Skills – goal-oriented actions can master and
repeat in appropriate situations.

• Credibility – perception of speaker’s knowledge,
trustworthiness, and warmth.

• Social ease – managing communication
apprehension.

LO3

Communication

Apprehension
Fear or anxiety associated with real or

anticipated communication with others.

• Traitlike

• Audience-based

• Situational

• Context-based

LO3

Communication Improvement
Plans

1. State the problem.

2. State the specific goal.

3. Outline a specific procedure for

reaching the goal.

4. Devise a method for determining

progress.

LO3