Communication:
Essential Human
Behavior
HCOM102
C.ShoreFall 2015
Cal State University, Fullerton
Outcomes
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Define the communication process
Describe the functions of comm.
Assess the quality (communicative
value) of comm. by examining its 6
characteristics
Define what comm. scholars consider
to be competent comm.
Describe the visual reps/models of
comm.
Understand why comm. is vital to
everyone
Define HCOM100 as a
course

GE “check box” course

Life Skill
Define communication

“The process by which individuals
use symbols, signs, and behaviors to
exchange information”
Why do we study it?
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IT’S EVERYWHERE!!!!
Can we ever not communicate?
– How?
What contexts can we study
it in?

Interpersonal*
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Groups*
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– Public speaking*
– Sport
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– Inter
– Small
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Rhetorical theory*
– Persuasion*
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Argumentation & debate*
Organizational
– Training & Development*
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Political
– Freedom of speech

Family*
Health*
– Sex*
– Transgender
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Conflict*
Intercultural*
– Latino*
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Instructional*
Gaming
Nonverbal*
Mass (COMM)
– RTVF
– Journalism
– PR
The 4 perspectives
*You do NOT need to know this! In
fact, don’t even write this down – just
listen.
1.
Functionalist
– Environment determines actions
2.
Interpretivist
– Humans have free will
3.
4.
Radical humanist
Radical structuralist
Functionalist Perspective

Examines how communicative
behaviors work to accomplish our goals
in multiple settings

Interdependent relationships
Express affiliation

– What is affiliation? What channels?
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Achieving goals
Influencing others
– Intentional? Situational? Control.
How we communicate
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Characteristics of comm.
1. Symbolic
2. Code is shared
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3.
4.
5.
6.
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Encoding
Decoding
Culturally bound
Intention
Channel
Transactional
Assessing comm. value
– Quality of comm. related to 6 characteristics
Assessing Comm. in the coffee
shop
Characteristic
Behavior
Communication is symbolic
•
•
Both parties understand the
meaning of “regular”
Both parties understand the smile
and nod greeting
Communication requires a shared
code
•
Both parties speak English
Communication is linked to culture
•
Both parties are New Yorkers
Communication can be unintentional
•
The customer uses gestures and
facial expressions
Communication occurs through
various channels
•
The woman uses both words and
gestures; they are not ambiguous
to the street vendor
Communication is transactional
•
The woman understands the
message she is giving, and the
vendor understands the message
he is receiving
Communicating Competently

Process oriented or outcome
oriented?
– Outcome has to do with product of
comm.
– Process measures success of comm.
by looking at how outcome is
accomplished
Mutual satisfaction is the gauge of success
 Involves ethical considerations related to
constructing and receiving messages

. . .the answer was process
oriented
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Appropriate and effective
– Behavior flexibility

meeting both the demands of situation and
expectations of specific comm. partner and
any other people present
– WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!
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Comm. skills (behavioral routines)
Technology
It’s time to play . . .
Model 1
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of
Azkaban: Dumbledore’s Speech
– [:52]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSx
Ycj3X83E
Linear Model
Model 2
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire:
Snape v Igor
– [:37]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGJ
Ljp9JpzA
Interaction Model
Model 3

30 rock
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSI
4oxulT4I
Competent Communication Model
(CCM)
Cultural Context
Cognition
encoding
decoding
Situational Context
Relational Context
Cognition
decoding
encoding
Communicators
Behavior
Non/Verbal
Behavior
Non/Verbal
Comm. model’s in action
activity
1.
2.
3.
Draw the picture w/ only directions
Yes/No questions
Fully worded questions
Discussion Questions
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How does communication function in your
everyday life? Where do you see your
comm. strengths and weaknesses?
How do the different layers of context in the
CCM work on the comm. we have in the
classroom?
What constitutes effective and appropriate
comm. in the classroom vs. w/ friends or
family vs. online?
How does comm. work in your
relationships? Where/why do you think the
most issues come up?