Download Intro to Human Communication

Intro to Communication
Chapter 1: Introduction to Human
Communication
Because lots of animals can communicate, too.
(Like whales. Stop showing off, whales. We get it. You’re smart.)
Why is communication important?
(or, “Why do I have to take this class?”)
 1. Studying communication can help improve your self-image and confidence.
 2. It can improve the way others see you.
 3. It can increase your knowledge of and improve your human relationships.
 4. It can teach you important life skills.
 5. It can help your exercise your right to free speech.
 6. It can help you succeed professionally.
 7. It can help you navigate our global community.
What is communication?
 Communication is the process of using messages to generate meaning.
 From the French communicacioun; originates in Latin commūnicāre, v. – to share or impart
 Communication is a process. It has many moving parts and is an activity in which
we all participate.
 “If we accept the concept of process, we view events and relationships as dynamic, ongoing,
ever changing, continuous. When we label something as a process, we also mean that it does
not have a beginning, an end, a fixed sequence of events. It is not static, at rest. It is moving. The
ingredients within a process interact: each affects all the others.” –David Berlo
What is communication?
Components of Communication
 There are eight key components to the process of communication: people,
messages, channels, feedback, codes, encoding/decoding, and noise.
 People are involved in the communication process in two roles: as the sources
and receivers of messages.
 A source initiates a message, while a receiver is the intended target of the message.
 We rarely engage in these processes independently; people both send and receive
messages constantly.
Components of Communication
 Messages are the verbal and nonverbal form of the ideas, thoughts, or feelings
that the source wishes to communicate to the receiver(s).
 The message is the content of the communication.
 May include symbols (words and phrases), facial expressions, body movements,
gestures, physical contact, tone of voice, etc.
 May be intentional or unintentional
 The channel is the means by which a message moves from the source to its
receiver.
 Ex. Airwaves, sound waves, light waves, copper wires, glass fibers, and cables
Components of Communication
 Feedback is the receiver’s verbal and nonverbal response to the source’s message.
 Silence, restless behavior, and quizzical looks are all forms of feedback.
 A code is a systematic arrangement of symbols used to create meaning in the mind of
another person.
 Verbal codes consist of symbols and their grammatical arrangement, e.g. languages.
 Nonverbal codes are those that do not use words – they may include bodily movements, facial
expressions, clothing, and sounds other than words.
 NOTE: nonverbal codes are not necessarily nonoral – that is, not spoken. Nonverbal codes may include
pitch, rate of speech, and utterations like “eh” and “uh”.
Components of Communication
 Encoding is the process of translating an idea or thought into a code. Decoding is
the process of assigning meaning to that idea or thought.
 Noise is any interference in the encoding/decoding process that hinders the
clarity of a message.
 There are many different types of noise, such as:
 Physical noise (jackhammers, chewing loudly); distracting sights; unusual behaviors;
mental/psychological noise (distracting thoughts, daydreams, worries, pain,
uncertainty)
Components of Communication
Communication Principles
 Communication begins with the self.
 Humans are, by nature, self-centered.
 Our understanding of the world is limited by our experiences with it.
 As a participant in communication, you are limited by your own view of every situation.
 Communication involves others.
 The self originates in communication (expectations, assignment of roles, etc.).
 We establish self-image, good or bad, through the ways others categorize us.
 Communication is a dialogue – it does not occur in a vacuum but rather through our interactions
with others.
Communication Principles
 Communication has both a content and a relational dimension.
 The content is the substance of the message; the relational dimension is the relationship among
those communicating (authoritative, friendly, intimate, etc.).
 “Good morning” v. “Hey!”
 Communication is complicated.
 Language barriers, complex material, etc.
 Because communication has so many moving parts (verbal/nonverbal/behavioral components;
choice of medium/channel; characteristics of the speaker; relationship between speaker and
audience; characteristics of the audience; the overall situation in which communication occurs;
etc.), a change to any one of those parts can change the entire process.
Communication Principles
 Communication quantity does not increase communication quality.
 Communicating more doesn’t help if the person you’re communicating with isn’t listening.
 Communication is inevitable.
 Despite its difficulties, communication occurs constantly in our lives.
 We continually glean messages from verbal and nonverbal communication all around us, and we
are constantly behaving in ways that transmit messages to others.
 Communication cannot be reversed or repeated.
 You can’t un-ring a bell, and you can’t capture lightning in a bottle.
Communication Contexts
 Context is a set of circumstances or a situation in which something occurs.
Communication context can be intrapersonal, interpersonal, public, mass, and/or
computer-mediated.
 Intrapersonal communication centers around the self.
 It occurs when you think about your interactions with others and also includes internal
conflict/thought, planning, self-evaluation, etc.
 Debate as to whether this fully counts as “communication” due to a lack of receiver
Communication Contexts
 Interpersonal communication is the process of using messages to generate meaning
between at least two people in a setting that allows for mutual speaking and listening.
 May be used to solve problems, to resolve conflicts, to share information, to fulfill social needs,
etc.
 Dyad communication: between two people
 Small-group communication: 3+ people; disagreement on the maximum number
 Public communication is the process in which a single source transmits a message to a
large number of receivers, who give nonverbal (and sometimes Q&A) feedback.
 Different levels of understanding within an audience.
 Often formal and planned.
 Primarily informs or persuades but may also entertain, introduce, announce, et al.
Communication Contexts
 Mass communication is the process of using messages to generate
meanings between a source and a large number of unseen
receivers.
 Has a transmission system (mediator) between sender and receiver.
 Ex. TV signals = broadcast studio -> satellite/cable system -> TV -> TV channel
(mediator – method of distribution)
 Is often studied in the context of mass media and media convergence, or the
way that broadcasting, publishing, and digital communication overlap.
Communication Contexts
 Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is human
communication and information shared through digital
communication networks (i.e. the Internet).
 Requires digital literacy: the ability to find, evaluate, and use information
found via computer.
 May include e-mail, social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), instant
messages (Facebook Chat, Skype, etc.), text messages, emojis, et al
 Technological convergence: the way that technological systems (voice,
data, video) share modes of communication and continue to evolve.
Differences Among Communication
Contexts
Contexts
Intrapersonal
Dyadic
SmallGroup
Public
Mass
ComputerMediated
Number of
people
1
2
3-10+
10+
Thousands,
more
2 to billions
Intimate/Formal
Most
intimate
Generally
intimate
Intimate or
formal
Generally
formal
Generally
formal
Intimate or
formal
Opportunities for
feedback
Complete
feedback
A great deal of
feedback
Less than
intrapersonal but
more than public
Less than smallgroup but more
than mass
“Usually more”
[than what,
textbook authors?
THAN WHAT]
None to a
great deal
Need for
prestructuring
messages
None
Some
Some
A great deal
Almost totally
scripted
None to totally
scripted
Degree of stability
in roles
(speaker/listener)
Unstable;
individual =
both speaker
and listener
Unstable;
speaker and
listener
alternate
Unstable;
speakers and
listeners
alternate
Highly stable;
one speaker
and many
listeners
Highly stable;
on-air
speakers,
invisible
listeners
Unstable to
highly stable
Homework! – due Wednesday, 6/8
p. 13, “Evaluate Your Own Communication Skills”
Take the survey and record your scores. We will discuss them together in class.
p. 25, “Critical Thinking”
1. In the beginning of the chapter, six SEVEN advantages to studying communication are
discussed. Explain how these benefits apply to you in your chosen area of study.
2. Think of your own computer use. How do you use computer-mediated communication
(CMC) in your daily life (that is, for school, personal use, or work)? Do you use one kind of
CMC more than another?
Each response should be AT LEAST 250 words, typed. I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE HOMEWORK.