Chapter 1 Communication Takeaways

Communication: What and Why

Communication is...

  • Symbolic
  • A process
  • Irreversible
  • Relational, not individual

Models of Communication

  • Linear Model
    • A sender encodes ideas and conveys them to a receiver who decodes them.
    • Messages are conveyed via channels, either face-to-face or mediated.
    • Three types of noise can disrupt communication—external (outside of a person), physiological (biological factors within a person), and pyschological (thoughts and feelings).
    • Environment includes physical location, personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and more.
  • Transactional Model
    • We send and receive messages simultaneously.
    • Feedback is a receiver's perceptible response to a message.
    • Feedback may be intentional or unintentional.

Communication Contexts

  • Intrapersonal communication is communication with oneself.
  • Dyadic communication involves two persons interacting, whether or not it is interpersonal.
  • In small group communication, every person can participate actively with the other members.
  • People engage in organizational communication when they collectively work to achieve goals.
  • Public communication occurs when a group is too large for all members to contribute, as when an audience listens to a lecture.
  • Mass communication consists of messages that are transmitted to large, widespread audiences via electronic and print media.

Unique Context of Social Media

  • Audience size varies vastly.
  • Users generate their own content.
  • Networks are highly diverse.

5 Tips for Using Social Media Well

  • Choose the best medium.
  • Think before you post.
  • Adapt to the audience.
  • Respect others' need for undivided attention.
  • Keep your cool.

Communication Competence

  • We use communication to achieve goals in a manner that, ideally, maintains or enhances the relationship in which it occurs.
  • There is no ''ideal'' way to communicate.
  • Competence is situational.
  • Competence is relational.
  • Competence can be learned.
  • Competent communicators are flexible.
  • Competent communicators are empathic.
  • Competent communicators are cognitively complex.
  • COmpetent communicators self-monitor.
  • Competent communicators are committed.

Myths about Communication

  • Communication requires complete understanding.
  • Communication can solve all problems.
  • Communication is good.
  • Meanings are in words.
  • Communication is simple.
  • More communication is always better.
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