Why Study Communication?

Knowing
What happens when people communicate with themselves and others

Understanding
How that knowledge can be used to explain and interpret the process of Communication in everyday life

Developing Skills
Using this knowledge and understanding to communicate more effectively

What a Relief!!

The art of Communication is not all natural. We can learn to communicate effectively All Communication involves the creation and exchange of meanings via signs and symbols Communication Studies involves the business of making and understanding these signs and symbols. People seem to have a real need to read meaning into all human action.

What is Communication?

The transfer of Information, Understanding and Emotion from one person to another The interdependent process of Sending, Receiving and Understanding and responding to messages

Communication

Is an on-going, dynamic process Actively involves the Sender and the Receiver simultaneously May be
Verbal: Oral/written word Non-verbal: Gestures, drama, materials

Effective Communication

Takes a significant amount of work and energy Stems from our understanding of ourselves and others

Involves

Our ability to listen Our verbal communication skills Our non-verbal communication skills Our understanding of our relationship with others Our ability to analyse an audience, or to understand context Our knowledge of the way to research, prepare and deliver a public speech.

The Communication Process: Elements

Sender

Person with whom the message to be communicated originates Encodes or gives expression to the message

Message

Thought, idea or information the Sender wishes to pass on to another The Message has meaning. It is this that has to be sent

Medium The medium is the method that the Sender chooses for encoding the message. This may be written or oral. These are both verbal. The Sender may also encode his message through signals, drama and other non-verbal means. The Medium is often confused with the Channel. One way to distinguish them is that the Medium must be determined before the Channel is chosen, and often, Medium determines Channel e.g. Medium: Email; Channel: Internet
Channel

The Communication Process: Elements

The Message is sent via a Channel which is the means of transporting the message from the Sender to the Receiver, e.g. post office, internet, airwaves, airmail etc.

The Communication Process: Elements

Receiver Noise

Person receiving or Decoding the message

Anything that distorts a message by interfering with the communication process

Radio playing in the background Another person trying to enter the conversation Examination nerves Static on the telephone line A slow computer

Feedback

The Receiver transmits verbal and non-verbal feedback to indicate his/her reception and understanding of the message

Describing the Process: A Model of Communication

Barriers and Facilitators

You have asked your younger brother to send a message to your friends Isaiah, in Form 3, Ellice in Form 4 and Sean from the security team to attend a meeting at your home this evening. Your brother puts a notice on the bulletin board in the Form 4 classroom, in French. Only Ellice turns up for the meeting.

Barriers and Facilitators

Give two probable reasons for the others not attending At which points did the communication break down? Suggest two things to ensure that everyone attended the meeting

Barriers and Facilitators

There was a language barrier, notice was poorly located; the method of notification was faulty (his ???) When your brother selected the means of transferring the message ( his ???) He could have written in a language that all three would have understood; he could have telephoned all three; he could have spoken to each one directly.
What about email?

Barriers and Facilitators

A Barrier is A Facilitator is ..

Barriers and Facilitators

Some facilitators are

Selecting a language which is familiar to the receiver ? ? ?

Barriers and Facilitators

Some Barriers to Communication are

Sender and Receiver speak different languages ? ? ?

Forms of Communication

Cathy would like to describe her graduation ceremony to her aunt who lives in Australia. Think of two ways in which she could do this After the graduation, Cathy wants to describe to her brother how some of the girls walked up to collect their certificate. What do you think she would do?

Forms of Communication

Verbal
Requires words May be speech or writing

Conversation
Face-to-face Telephone

Letter Email Text message Fax Messenger/chat

Forms of Communication

Non-Verbal
Relies on elements other than speech or writing Is just as important as non-verbal communication

Body language (gestures, posture, facial expression) Use of space Use of objects Dress Graphics (charts, tables, diagrams) Integrating forms for specific purposes (role play, simulation)

FORM and CONTEXT

The specific FORM of communication is, or should be, intimately related to the CONTEXT in which it is used One element of our COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE is our ability to get our message across accurately

Contexts of Communication

In order to evaluate the appropriateness or effectiveness of a communication act, we must first understand its context. Communication does not occur in a vacuum. It occurs within a CONTEXT The circumstances of a communicative act are referred to as the CONTEXT of communication

Contexts of Communication

You have to give a speech in each of the following situations. Consider the adjustments that you would have to make to your presentation
To a panel of interviewers where you are applying for a job To a group of standard two students in their assembly hall To an oral examiner in a small examination room To a group of persons opposing your ideas On national television On radio

Contexts of Communication

Who is present, or who is being addressed. What do you need to consider here?

The general attitude of your audience. Why is this important? Where the communication takes place. What are the factors that should influence your communicative decisions?

Contexts of Communication
Context may be FORMAL
Certain societal norms are evident and there are perceived patterns of behaviour

NON-FORMAL/INFORMAL
Individuals or groups are not constrained by specified ways in which communication would normally take place

Contexts of Communication

Intrapersonal- Thinking, solving

problems, imagining/imaging

Interpersonal interviews,
conversations, intimate communication

Small group leadership meeting,

brain-storming, prayer meeting

Contexts of Communication

Organizational business,

government, official purposes, educational

Academic essay, research paper,

doctoral thesis

Public speeches, debates Intercultural communicating

across social sub-group, in tourism

Contexts of Communication
Match the scenarios with the most appropriate form of verbal communication

Form of Communication A. A written notice/poster B. A skit C. A written note

D. A television/radio address
E. A telephone call

F. A short talk