Topic 1: Definition of Communication

Learning Objective:

1. To know the definitions of communication, mass

communication, mass media, and culture
2. To understand the relationships among
communication, mass communication, culture, and
those who live the culture.
3. To understand the relationship between
communication and culture.
 Content

Part 1: Communication Definition

Part 2: Functions of Communication
 Part 1: Communication Definition
psychologists
zoologists

Engineers
Communication
Sociologists/
anthropologist

Political scientists
Part 1: Communication Definition

Small Group Communication

Public Communication Mass Communication

 Small Group Communication

Small group is a common fixture of everyday life.

Communication in groups is affected strongly by the type of
leader who is in a position of authority.
 Public Communication

• Occur when a group becomes too large for all members to contribute
• Characteristics:
- Unequal amount of speaking
- Limited verbal feedback
• Audience often have a chance to ask questions and offer brief comments, their nonverbal reactions offer
a wide range of clues about their reception of the speaker’s remarks
• Sending message via variety channels such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, blogs,
websites,
• Aim at large audience without any personal contact between sender and receivers
• Involve to many gatekeepers (corporate or governmental, editors, producers and reporters)
• Gatekeepers determine what messages will be delivered to consumers, how they will be
constructed, and when they will be delivered.
Part 2: Functions of Communication

Identity Needs

Social Needs

Practical Needs
 Identity Needs
• We learn who we are base on our interaction
• Quality of communication (personal communication) is important than quantity
• Physical Needs: Quality of communication (personal communication) is important
than quantity.
• Identity Needs: We learn who we are base on our interaction
 Social Needs
Communication provides a vital link with others
Satisfaction of communication:
- Pleasure (have a good time)
- Affection (to help others)
- Inclusion (because it makes me less lonely)
- Escape (to put off doing something I should be doing)
- Relaxation (because it allows me to unwind)
- Control (to get something I don’t have)
 Practical Needs
Communication is an important key to effectiveness in a variety of everyday settings.
e.g:
- to show our competency during interview
- Communication in the school
 Reference
Joseph Turow (2011), Media Today: An Introduction to Mass Communication, NY: Routledge