Communication
Embracing Difference
• This describes basic communication
theory in everyday, non-technical terms
while offering students an abundance
of opportunities to analyze, understand,
practice, and apply skills to real-life
situations.
• emphasizes the practical application of
communication skills in interpersonal,
small group, and public settings, which
will help students become more
confident and successful
communicators.
• Targeting both mainstream students
and non-traditional students who range
widely in age, ethnicity, race, religion,
sexual orientation, social roles, and
socio-economic status. This is designed
with an overall approach that resonates
with the diverse student populations
making up so many campuses today.
Learning Goals
• Understand basic communication
theory
• Apply skills to real-life situations
• Understand how technology has
changed communication
The Communication Process
• Communicating effectively stems from
an overall understanding that people
are simultaneously different and
similar.
• Communication is the interdependent
process of sending, receiving, and
understanding messages.
Functions of Communication
• It creates and maintains our sense of
self or our identity.
• It helps us create communities.
• It forms and strengthens relationships.
• It gives us the ability to influence
others.
• It conveys and creates information.
Communication Process (people)
• Source – The person who creates and
sends the message.
• Receiver – The person to whom the
message is sent.
(message)
• The thought, feeling, or action that is
sent from the source to the receiver
with the use of symbols
• Can be verbal, nonverbal, intentional,
and unintentional
(Encoding)
• The process of putting thoughts, ideas,
or feelings into meaningful symbols that
another person can understand.
• Most familiar with concept of words
• Rely on frame of reference to choose
appropriate symbol
(Decoding)
• The process of interpreting or attaching
meaning to another person’s message
• People decode messages differently
based on their frame of reference
(Channel)
• The vehicle by which the message is
communicated from the source to the
receiver
• Various types of media
• TV, radio, movies, newspapers,
social networking sites
(Feedback)
• The receiver’s response to the sender’s
message
• It provides information about the way
the message is being interpreted
• As senders, we sometimes have
difficulty interpreting feedback
(Context)
• Context – The conditions surrounding
communication with others.
• Physical Setting – Where and
when the communication
occurs. Location, seating
arrangement, time of day, room
size, and lighting all affect the
process.
• Psychological Climate – The
attitudes and feelings we have
about ourselves and the other
people involved in the
communication.
(Noise / Interference)
• Noise and Interference – Any intended
or unintended stimulus that affects the
fidelity of a sender’s message.
• External Noise – Includes
sounds or visual stimuli that
draw our attention away from
the intended message.
• Internal Noise – Includes our
own thoughts or feelings that
prevent us from processing the
sender’s message.
Functions of Communication
• Creates and maintains a sense of
identity
• Creates communities
• Forms and strengthens relationships
• Ability to influence/persuade
• Conveys and creates information
Types of Communication (Intrapersonal)
• Communication with ourselves.
• It is an ongoing process involving
evaluation of ourselves and
relationships with others, problem
solving, and planning for the future.
Interpersonal
• The informal exchange that occurs
between two or more people.
• It usually occurs between two people or
in small groups.
• Informal exchange that occurs between
two or more people
o Dyadic is the interaction
between two people.
o Small group includes
interactions with three to eight
people.
Small Group
• Less intimate than dyadic and less
formal than public speaking
• Can be informal discussion or problem-
solving group or committee