communication
the process through which people use messages to generate meanings within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media (NCA, n.d.)
The five features the characterize communication
is a process, uses messages, occurs in contexts, happens via channels, may require media
process
communication is a ______ that unfolds over time through a series of interconnected actions carried out by the participants.
Message
those engaged in communication (communicators) use ______ to convey meaning. A ______ is the "package of information that is transported during communication.
When people exchange a series of messages, whether face to face or online, the result is called an
interaction
context
communication occurs in a seemingly endless variety of _______, or situations. In each context, a host of factors influences how we communicate, such as how much time we have, how many people are in the vicinity, and whether the setting is personal or pro
channels
people communicate through various ______. A ______ is the sensory dimension along which communicators transmit information. Channels can be auditory (sound), visual (sight), tactile (touch), olfactory (scent), or oral (taste).
media
to transmit information, communicators use a broad range of _____--tools for exchanging messages. Webcams, cell phones, texting, e-mail, letters, face-to-face interactions, all of these media, can be used to communicate.
The three models of the communication process
linear model, interactive model, and the transactional model
Linear communication model (one way)
communication is an activity in which information flows in one direction, from a starting point to an end point.
Linear model component:
MESSAGE, CHANNEL, SENDER (senders), NOISE--factors in the environment that impede messages from reaching their destina
Interactive communication model (two way)
also views communication as a process involving senders and receivers. However, according to this model, transmission is influenced by two additional factors: FEEDBACK and FIELD OF EXPERIENCE. Feedback is comprised of the verbal and nonverbal messages tha
Transactional communication model (multi way)
suggests that communication is fundamentally multidirectional. That is, each participant equally influences the communication behavior of the other participants. From the transactional perspective, there are no "senders" or "receivers." Instead, all the p
Interpersonal communication
is a dynamic form of communication between two (or more) people in which then messages changed significantly influence their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships.
The four important implications of the definition of interpersonal communication
it's dynamic, typically transactional (can also be linear or interactive), usually dyadic, impact creating.
Dynamic (interpersonal communication)
means that interpersonal communication is constantly in motion and changing over time. For example, vice memos, e-mail spam, formal lectures or speeches.
Transactional (interpersonal communication)
most interpersonal communication is _______; both parties contribute to the meaning. Sometimes it can be linear.
Dyadic
interpersonal communication is primarily _____--it involves pairs of people, or dyads. You chat with your daughter while driving her to school, or you exchange a series of Facebook messages with a long-distance friend. And of course, some interpersonal co
intrapersonal communication
communication involving only one person, in the form of talking out loud to oneself or having a mental "conversation" inside one's head.
Impact
interpersonal communication creates impact: it changes participants' thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships.
I-Thou
a way of relating that deepens bonds and affirms individual uniqueness.
I-It
viewing the other as an object, leading to impersonal communication and even disrespectful communication.
impersonal communication
exchanges that have a negligible perceived impact on our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships.
Principles of interpersonal communication
1. Conveys content information (the actual meaning of the words you utter) and relationship information (consists of signals indicating how you consider yourself superior, equal, acquainted, or estranged.)
2 Meta-communication: communication about communi
meta-communication
communication about communication. It includes any message, verbal or nonverbal, that has as its central focus the meaning of communication--everything from discussion of previous comments ("I actually was joking when I sent you that text message").
Interpersonal communication and Human needs
1. IPC fulfills profound human needs and supports achievement of personal and professional goals.
2. We speak to fulfill a hierarchy of needs in our lives.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
1. physical needs: air, food, water, sleep, and shelter
2. safety needs: job stability and protection from violence
3. social needs: forming satisfying and healthy emotional bonds with friends, family members, and romantic partners.
4. self-steem needs: t
Interpersonal communication fulfills three types of goals:
1. self-presentation goals
2. instrumental goals
3. relationship goals
self-presentation goals
desires you have to present yourself in certain ways so that other perceive you as being a particular type of person.
instrumental goals
practical aims you want to achieve or tasks you want to accomplish through a particular interpersonal encounter.
relationship goals
building, maintaining, or terminating bonds with others.
research
When you conduct ___, you formulate a question, then try to answer it thorough careful observation or the creation of a controlled "test" or experiment.
A set of initial questions we seek to answer.
theory
When you develop ___, you formulate propositions (statements) about your interests, then identify factors relevant to them and how those factors interrelate.
descriptive statements about the phenomenon of interest, often seeking to explain.
flames
nasty responses or ___,--inappropriately aggressive online messages that most people wouldn't communicate face-to-face.
Qualitative research/approaches:
follows an inductive process that identifies a problem, gathers data and develops theories. (interviews, observation, etc.)
Through _____ approaches, they make careful observations, identify patterns in what they're seeing, and try to determine the princi
hypothesis
predictions that describe the relationship between your phenomenon of interest and other related factors.
Quantitative research/approaches:
follows a deductive process that identifies a problem then tests possible theories.
Interpersonal communication competence
The ability to communicate consistently in appropriate (according to norms), effective (achieving goals), and ethical (treating people fairly) way.
1. acquiring knowledge of what it means to communicate competently is the first step in developing interper
Communication skills
repeatable behaviors that enable you to improve the quality of your interpersonal encounters and relationships.
Characteristics of competent interpersonal communication
1. Appropriateness
2. self-monitoring
3. effectiveness
4. ethics
appropriateness
the degree to which your communication matches situational, relational, and cultural expectations regarding how people should communicate.
self-monitoring
the process of observing our own communication and the norms of the situation in order to make appropriate communication choices.
high self-monitors
Some individuals closely monitor their own communication to ensure they're acting in accordance with the situational expectations. Known as ___, they prefer situations in which clear expectations exist regarding how they're supposed to communicate.
highly
low self-monitors
don't assess their own communication or the situation. They prefer encounters in which they can "act like themselves" rather than having to abide by the norms.
believe people should communicate the same way regardless of the situation.
effectiveness
the ability to use communication to accomplish the three types of interpersonal goals discussed earlier (self-presentational, instrumental, and relational).
ethics
the set of moral principles that guide our behavior towards others.
we are obligated to avoid intentionally hurting others and be respectful.
self reflection
is the obligation to communicate ethically absolute or situation- dependent? That is, are there circumstances in which it's ethical to communicate in a way that hurts someone else's feeling.
online communication
to refer to any interaction by means of social networking sites(such as Facebook), e-mail, text- or instant-messaging, Skype, chatrooms, and even massively multiplayer video games like World of Warcraft.
(Issues in IPC) Four issues attracting attention:
1. Culture: set of beliefs, attitudes, values, and practices shared by a group of people.
2. Gender: consists of the social, psychological, and cultural distinctions that exists between man and woman.
3. Online communicationL social networking sites, emai
sexual orientation
an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectionate attraction to other that exists along a continuum ranging form exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality and that indulges various forms of bisexuality.