Communication: What and Why? Slides was prepared by Ms. Nurshahirah Definition • The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing or using some other medium. • The person sending the message is referred to as the sender, while the person receiving the information is called the receiver. Channel Sender Receiver Characteristics of Communication • Communication is human ▫ It is the process of human beings responding to the symbolic behaviour of other persons. • Communication is a process ▫ It is a continuous, ongoing process. • Communication is symbolic ▫ Symbols are used to represent things, processes, ideas or events in ways that make communication possible. Types of Communication • • • • • Intrapersonal Communication Interpersonal/Dyadic Comunication Small Group Comunication Public Communication Mass Communication 1. Intrapersonal Communication • Definition: communicating with one-self • Each of us communicates internally by listening to the little voice in our mind. • Intrapersonal communication plays its role in situations like: ▫ When you are planning to approach a stranger whom you’d like to know better ▫ Your friend yawns when you are ranting to him/her • Intrapersonal communication also includes jotting down notes, writing a diary, taking pictures for your personal use. 2. Dyadic/Interpersonal Communication • Dyad refers to two person that are interacting. • Dyadic communication describes the communication between two people. Sometimes, it is also referred to as interpersonal communication. • In a dyad, the members face each other on their own, without support from anybody else. 3. Small group communication • Interactions among three or more people connected through a common purpose, mutual influence and shared identity. • Family, athletic team, fellow workers, a group of students working on a class project. • In contrast with dyad, in a small group two or more members of a group can form a coalition to defend their position against other members. • Communication in groups is strongly affected by the leader in a position of authority. 4. Public Communication • Communicating to many individuals who have gathered towards the discussion of some topics in common • Characteristics: unequal amount of speaking and limited verbal feedback • There is barely two-way conversation unlike in a dyad or small groups. • However, audience often get the chance to ask questions, offer brief comments and display nonverbal reactions. 5. Mass Communication • Transmitting messages to large, widespread audience via electronic and print media ▫ E.g. newspapers, magazines, television, etc • Aimed at a large audience without any personal contact between sender and receivers • Messages are mostly financed by large organisations • Contents are controlled by those who have the power to influence What Do We Communicate For? • Physical needs ▫ Absence of satisfying communication can jeopardize our lives • Identity needs ▫ Communication is the way we learn who we are • Social needs ▫ Pleasure, inclusion, relaxation, escape, control • Practical needs ▫ To give instructions, to pass an interview, to have happier relationships Communication Process • Linear Communication Model • Transactional Communication Model Communication Process - Keyword • Channel – the method by which a message is conveyed between people (face-to-face, writing, instant messaging, telephone, etc) • Noise – interferences, interruptions whether physically or externally (too much cigarette smoke, distance between speaker and listener), physiologically (biological factors like illness, fatigue) or psychologically (ability to understand or express a message accurately) • Environment – fields of experience 1. Linear Communication Model Linear Communication Model • Involves only one way communication where messages are sent by the sender and the receiver only receives. • E.g. public communication • There is no concept of feedback. • Despite its simplicity, the linear model doesn’t do a very good job of representing the way most communication operates. 2. Transactional Communication Model Transactional Communication Model • Senders and receivers both are known as communicators and both play equally important role in communication. • Communication is an ongoing and continuously changing process • Each person in the communication process reacts depending on factors such as their background, prior experiences, attitudes, cultural beliefs and selfesteem. • Non-verbal feedbacks are also considered as feedback in this model. Characteristics of Transactional Communication • Simultaneous sending and receiving ▫ Messages are simultaneously sent and received ▫ When we communicate in person, we are continuously giving and receiving feedbacks • Communication is fluid, not static ▫ How you respond depends on the context, how you are related to the other communicator, etc • Communication is relational, not individual ▫ It takes two to tango – a successful communication depends on the involvement of both partners What Makes an Effective Communicator? • Have a wide range of behaviours – has an array of choices to respond to something • Ability to choose the most appropriate behaviour – knows which of those skills work best in a particular situation • Skilled at performing behaviours – can skilfully put those alternatives to work • Empathy/perspective taking – understands the other person’s point of view by listening critically What Makes an Effective Communicator? • Cognitive complexity – able to analyse and make sense the behaviour of others in a variety of ways • Self-monitoring – observes their behaviour from a detached viewpoint • Commitment to the relationship – cares about the relationship and committed when expressing messages Communication Barriers • • • • The use of jargons Emotional barriers and taboos Lack of attention and interests Expectations and prejudices which may lead to false assumptions or stereotyping
