The Communications Process with the Obama/Romney Debate Extra Credit Assignment

Tonight is the first presidential debate between President Obama, and Mitt Romney. This is a perfect
opportunity to see how the communication process either works, or does not work. For extra credit, you
are required to watch at least 30-45 minutes of the debate (check what time it will be aired) covered by
most national networks.

do

You should be thinking about the components below, and

how well you think one or both of the candidates did with the communication process, to the
American people.
Keep in mind that each of you may have very different interpretations of the messages that the
candidates are communicating to you.
Due: Wed. 10/11/12, in class, not email, not via uLearn.
As an international student this was an interesting debate to watch. I had never taken a close look at how
presidential debates are organized and done in United States. To be honest I felt it is a great tool
and opportunity to see how each candidate will respond and plans to do if he or she wins over the
presidential elections. I did a little research on how did presidential debates worked and the
history, I found out that the first presidential debate was between Nixon and Kennedy in 1960 and
since then it has been a critical event that can change or affect any presidential elections. This
first official debate was so critical because it was the first time for the debate to be televised,
before the debate they both did an excellent job at transmitting and encoding their message, but
during the debate Kennedy was perceived by the audience to have a stronger image than Nixon.
Since TV is one of the most and effective communication tool used by candidates and media it has
revolutionized the way presidents communicate. The use mediums such as their voice, body, hands, attire,
facial expressions to send their message to voters (target audience/receivers) are essential and critical
when you are live to 40 million plus (viewers) encoding their plan to tackle political, economical, and
social issues.
Both presidential candidates Romney and Obama, along with their political campaign, are the source of
the message.
A. Source/Encodingthe sender or source of a communication is the person or organization that
has information to share with another person or group. It should be noted that the source can be
an individual (e.g., salesperson or hired spokesperson) or a nonpersonal entity such as the
corporation or organization itself. The receivers perception of the source influences the manner
in which the communication is received, interpreted and responded to.
Encoding is the process of putting together thoughts, ideas and information into a symbolic form
to communicate a message. The senders goal is to encode the message in such a manner so as to
ensure that it will be understood by the receiver.
B.

Messagethe encoding process leads to the development of a message that contains the
information or meaning the source or sender hopes to convey. Messages can take a variety of
forms and may include symbolic forms or signs. The message must be put into a transmittable

C.

D.

form that is appropriate for the channel of communication being used. Advertising messages
range from simply written words or copy that will be read or heard as a radio message to the
expensive production of elaborate television commercials with a great deal of visual impact and
imagery.
Receiver/Decodingthe receiver is the person(s) with whom the sender shares thoughts or
information. Receivers are generally viewed as the consumers in the target audience targeted by
the firms marketing and promotional program. Decoding is the process of transforming and
interpreting the senders message back into thought and is heavily influenced by the receivers
frame of reference or field of experience. Effective communication is more likely when common
ground or shared meaning or understanding exists or has been established between the sender
and receiver. The text discusses how age differences between young creative personnel in
advertising agencies and the mature market (consumers who are 50 and older) is a potential
problem.
E. Noisethroughout the communications process the message is subject to noise which refers
to factors that can distort or interfere with adequate reception or comprehension. Noise can occur
during the encoding, transmission, or decoding of a message. Noise can also occur because of a
lack of common ground or understanding between the sender and receiver.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49270212\
1or 2 pages