Communication-A brief overview

Communication
Communication the transmission of information and meaning from one party to another through the use of shared symbols sender - initiates the process by conveying information
has a meaning s/he wishes to communicate encodes the meaning into symbols transmits the message through some channel

receiver - person for whom the message is intended

decodes the messages attempts to interpret the senders meaning may provide feedback by encoding a message in response

noise- interference in the system that blocks understanding

Interpersonal Communication
One-way communication process in which information flows in only one direction

no feedback from the receiver

more common than it should be because it is faster and easier for sender

Two-way communication process in which information flows in two directions

receiver provides feedback sender is receptive to the feedback

basis for constructive exchanges more difficult and time consuming, but more accurate

Interpersonal Communication (cont.)

Communication pitfalls errors can occur in all stages of the communication process perceptual and filtering processes create misinterpretations
perception - process of receiving and interpreting information filtering - process of withholding, ignoring, or distorting information cannot assume the other person means what you think s/he means or understands the intended meanings perceptual differences interfere with achieving a shared consensus

e.g., problems arise because men and women differ in communication style

Interpersonal Communication (cont.)

people do not attend to everything going on around them can avoid these problems by taking the time to:
ensure that the receiver attends to the message consider the receivers frame of reference and convey the message from that perceptual viewpoint

try to predict peoples interpretations of your messages and think in terms of how they could misinterpret them

Verbal Communication
Oral channel includes face-to-face discussion, telephone conversations, and formal presentations and speeches advantages
questions can be asked and answered feedback is immediate and direct receiver can sense the senders sincerity more persuasive

disadvantages
can lead to spontaneous, ill-considered statements there is no permanent record of the communication

Verbal Communication
Written channel includes memos, letters, reports, and computer files advantages
message can be revised provides a permanent record message stays the same when sent to several receivers receiver has more time to analyze the message

disadvantages
sender has no control over where, when, or if the message is read sender does not receive immediate feedback receiver may not understand parts of the message message must be longer to answer anticipated questions

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Body language

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

KINESIS
POSTURE Personal Appearance

YAWNING

VOICE QUALITY

LAUGHING

PARALANGUAGE

SPEECH RATE

PITCH

VOLUME

SILENCE

TIME

TIME

PERSONAL DISTANCE

A Model Of The Communication Process

Person A Sender 1. Intended meaning 2. Encoding Person B Receiver 3. Communication 4. Decoding channel
Communication

5. Perceived meaning
Sender 6. Intended meaning

10. Intended meaning

9. Decoding (receiver) One-way communication

8. Communication channel

7. Encoding
Two-way communication if B sends feedback to A

3 Styles of communication

Assertive. We both are right.

Submissive (Passive). You are right, I am wrong

Aggressive You are wrong, I am right

ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION

Confidently expressing what you think, feel and believe. Standing up for your rights while respecting the rights of others. Conveying meaning and expectations without humiliating or degrading others. Based upon respect for yourself and respect for other peoples need and rights

SUBMISSIVE COMMUNICATION

Reluctance or inability to express consistently what

you think, feel and believe.

Allows others to violate your rights without challenge. Reflects lack of respect for your own preferences. Other can easily disregard your thoughts, feelings,

and believes.

AGGRESSIVE COMMUNICATION

Expressing yourself in ways that intimidate, demean, or degrade another person. Pursuing what you want in ways that violates the rights of another person. This is what I think. you are dumb for thinking differently.