Download Definitions of Communication ---How can we define the term

Definitions of Communication
---How can we define the term ‘communication’? Is there a universal/widely accepted definition?
Human Communication is the process through which individuals in relationships, groups, organizations,
and societies respond to and create messages, and create and use information to relate to the
environment and one another. Universally, an accepted definition is “information transmitted from
source to receiver).
---What are the main areas of the communication discipline?
Interpersonal, Mass, Public Address, Organizational, Non-Verbal, Health, Political, PR, Instructional
Development.
---Is there a difference between the term communication and communications?
Communication is a connection and transfer of information, and communications is an academic study
and a technology.
---How does the development of communication studies relate to improvements in technology?
Technology has improved to better transmit important information and to reduce noise.
---What are the components of the basic communication model? What is the significance of the basic
communication model in the way(s) we study communication?
Sender and receiver both encode and decodes. The sender transmits a message through noise, the
receiver acknowledges the message through noise, and sends feedback with noise. This all takes place in
a medium.
It helps us understand that everything accomplished by humans involves communication with others.
Ethical Communication
---What are two key applications of ethical communication that we covered?
Persuasion and Deception, and plagiarism.
---What are the main provisions of the Academic Integrity Policy at Rutgers?
Separable and non-separable offense. Separable are major infractions for which the possible sanctions
include suspension or expulsion. Non-separable offenses are less severe and don’t include suspension or
expulsion.
---What are the different types of violations described in the Academic Integrity Policy at Rutgers?
Plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, facilitation of dishonesty, academic sabotage, violation of research or
professional ethics, violations involving potentially criminal activity.
---Why do students choose to cheat and violate the Academic Integrity Policy?
They either think they won’t be caught, or don’t know what cheating means.
---What can you do to prevent a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy?
Be aware of the consequences and what violates the policy.
---What are your rights if you are accused of violating the Academic Integrity Policy?
The right to appeal for 10 days.
Self, Self-Concept and Perception
---What do the terms self, self-concept and self-esteem mean? How do they relate to communication?
The self is fluid and changes constantly. Self-concept is more structured and difficult to change. Selfesteem is a positive or negative evaluation of who we are. Depending on these, we communicate how
we want to be treated subconsciously.
---What is the impact of trust and expectations in the way(s) we communicate messages?
High trust leads to high performance. Low trust leads to low performance. Self-fulfilling prophecy:
predictions or expectations coming true due to acting as if they are true.
---Can you identify two key theories related to trust, expectations and communication?
Pygmalion Effect (Self-fulfilling prophecy) : Positive expectations  positive results. Negative
expectations  negative results
---Can you identify and analyze the components of the perception process and their impact on the
way(s) we communicate?
Stimuli  Selection  Organization  Perceptual sets to Evaluation, Affectors to Interpretation 
Response
Selection: selective exposure, selective attention, selective perception, selective retention
Organization: figure-ground, closure, perceptual constancy
Evaluation and Interpretation: Affectors: anything that colors or reminds you of a past experience.
Relating something that influences your response to experience.
Response: Influenced by physical constructs, interaction constructs, psychological constructs, role
constructs
---What is a stereotype? Are all stereotypes bad? Why or why not?
A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
Not all stereotypes are bad because it can help organize things and help in trying to get a long
better with a person.
---What is the significance of the communication iceberg on the way(s) we study communication?
It makes us aware of the invisible nature of communication, since some behaviors are largely
unobservable. 20% is visible. You can see them, but when it comes to interpreting them, the meaning is
invisible. Meaning, self-reference, ethics, etc is the 80% invisible.
Verbal Messages
---What is the definition of the verbal code?
Set of rules about the use of words in the creation of messages. Can be spoken or written language.
---In what ways is language a symbol system?
Language is a system of symbols shared by a group in order to communicate. Words are not reality; they
merely represent reality.
---What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis? Is it widely accepted and why?
No two languages are ever sufficiently similar to be considered as representing the same reality. The
determinist believes language determines reality because it conditions us to process experience in a
certain way. The relativist believes language influences, but does not determine, thought and meaning.
The nonbeliever does not believe language influences thought, citing translatability between languages
and universals like grammar common to languages.
–--What is the significance of the triangle of meaning?
Thought, word, thing. The broken line between Word and Thing shows that there is no direct connection
between words and things. Meaning exists in thoughts only.
---How can one determine if language is offensive/politically correct?
Offensive language can imply emotion, which conveys an opinion or attitude about a subject, and may
be controversial. Politically correct language means different things to different people.
---What is the difference between denotative versus connotative meanings of words?
Denotative meaning refers to a word’s dictionary definitions; limited number of meanings. Connotative
meaning is subjective, and have a virtually limitless number of connotative meanings.
Non-Verbal Communication
---What is the definition and components of non-verbal communication?
It is all intentional and unintentional messages that are not written, spoken, or sounded.
Components: facial expressions and eye contact, body movements and gestures (Kinesics/Haptics),
clothing and personal experience, distance and personal appearance (Proxemics), physical environment,
time (chronemics).
A dictionary has a denotative meaning
---What is the importance of the non-verbal code in the way(s) we process information?
It is 80-90% of our communication. It shows interest, signals, etc.
---What are the effects of non-verbal communication in the way(s) through which messages are
disseminated in today’s world?
International cultures often use unexpected nonverbal symbols and meanings. Inadequate training is
given, resulting in a culture shock.
---What is the connection between non-verbal communication and culture?
A culture will have non-verbal communication based on what it believes and lives by. A conservative
culture will take offense to eye contact, for example.
---What is the connection between verbal and non-verbal messages?
Non-verbal messages are implicit, symbolic, and easy to misinterpret. Verbal messages are more
straightforward but are affected by non-verbal tones and signals.
---Can you identify examples of non-verbal communication and the specific components of it in the
videos that we have watched and in your daily lives?
Eye contact, facial expressions, posture.