Understanding Human Communication: Chapter 1

Communication that occurs when there's a time gap between when a message is sent and when it is received

Asynchronous communication

The medium through which a message passes from sender to receiver

Channel

The process of creating meaning through symbolic interaction

Communication

The ability to maintain a relationship on terms acceptable to all parties

Communication competence

Interaction in which participants interact smoothly, with a high degree of satisfaction buy without necessarily understanding one another well

Coordination

The process in which a receiver attaches meaning to a message

Decoding

The tendency to transmit messages without considering their consequences

Disinhibition

A two-person unit

Dyad

Two-person communication

Dyadic communication

The process of putting thoughts into symbols, most commonly words

Encoding

Both the physical setting in which communication occurs and the personal perspectives of the parties involved

Environment

The discernible response of a receiver to a sender's message

Feedback

Sending angry and/or insulting e-mails, text messages, and website postings

Flaming

Communication in which the parties consider one another as unique individuals rather than as objects. It is characterized by minimal of stereotyped labels; unique, idiosyncratic social rules; and high degree of information exchange

Interpersonal communication

Communication that occurs within a single person

Intrapersonal communication

A characterization of communication as a one-way event in which a message flows from sender to receiver

Linear communication model

The transmission of messages to large, usually widespread audiences via broadcast means (such as radio and television), print (such as newspaper, magazines and books), multimedia (such as CD-ROM, DVD, and the World Wide Web), and other forms of media such

Mass communication

Communication sent via a medium other than face-to-face interaction, e.g., telephone, e-mail, and instant messaging. It can be both mass and personal

Mediated communication

A sender's planned and unplanned words and nonverbal behaviors

Message

External, physiological, and psychological distractions that interfere with the accurate transmission and reception of a message

Noise

Communication that occur among a structured collection of people in order to meet a need or pursue a goal

Organizational communication

Communication that occurs when a group becomes too large for all members to contribute. It is characterized by an unequal amount of speaking and by limited verbal feedback

Public communication

One who notices and attends to a message

Receiver

A term used to describe the abundance of nonverbal cues that add clarity to a verbal message

Richness

The originator of a message

Sender

Communication within a group of a size such that every member can participate actively with the other members

Small group communication

Digital communication channels used primarily for personal reasons, often to reach small groups of receivers

Social media

An arbitrary sign used to represent a thing, person, idea, event or relationship in ways that make communication possible

Symbol

Communication that occurs in real time

Synchronous communication

A characterization of communication as the simultaneous sending and receiving of messages in an ongoing, irreversible process

Transactional communication model

Communication is a process, communication is symbolic and communication is relational, not individual

Characteristics of communication

Communication is a continuous, ongoing process. It is continually feeding from one event to the next

Communication is a process

Besides reflecting our identity, symbolic communication allows people to think or talk about the past, explain the present and speculate about the future

Communication is symbolic

Communication is relational, not individual

Relational communication is a unique creation that arises out of the way in which the partners interact. It varies with different partners

External, physiological and psychological

Types of noise

Also call physical noise, includes those factors outside the receiver that make hearing difficult, as well as many others distractions

External noise

Involves biological factors in the receiver or sender that interfere with the accurate reception: illness, fatigue and so on.

Physiological noise

Refers forces within a communicator that interfere with the ability to express or understand a message accurately

Psychological noise

Intrapersonal, dyadic/interpersonal, small groups, organizational, public, mass

Types of communication

The two forms of communication are different in some important ways

Mediated versus face-to-face communication

Face-to-face communication is rich because it abounds with nonverbal messages. Mediated communication is a leaner channel for conveying information

Message richness difference

Face-to-face communication occurs in synchronous. Mediated communication is asynchronous

Synchronicity difference

Face-to-face communication is transitory. Mediated communication is permanent.

Permanence difference

Communication satisfies many of or needs: Physical, identity, social and practical

Functions of communication

Communication is necessary for physical health. Studies indicate that social isolation is a major risk factor contributing to coronary disease

Physical needs

Communication does more than enable to survive. It is the way we learn who we are. We decided who we are based others react to us

Identity needs

Communication provides a vital link with others. Researchers have identified a range of social needs we satisfy by communicating: pleasure, affection, inclusion, escape, relaxation and control

Social needs

Communication allows us to get our needs met

Practical needs