communication
the process of creating meaning through symbolic interaction
symbols
are used to represent things, processes, ideas, or events in ways that make communication possible.
linear communication model
a characterization of communication as a one-way event in which a message flows from sender to receiver
sender
the originator of the message
encoding
the process of putting thoughts into symbols, most commonly words
message
a sender's planned and unplanned words and nonverbal behaviors
receiver
one who notices and attends to a message
decoding
the process in which a receiver attaches meaning to a message
channel
medium through which a message passes from sender to a message
mediated communication
messages sent to one person or to many via a medium such as telephone, email, or instant messaging
noise
external, physiological and psychological distractions that interfere with the accurate transmission and reception of a message
environment
both the physical setting in which communication occurs and the personal perspectives of the parties involved
transactional communication model
a characterization of communication as the simultaneous sending and receiving of messages in an ongoing, irreversible process.
feedback
the discernible response of a receiver to a sender's message
intrapersonal communication
communication that occurs within a single person
dyad
a two-person unit
dyadic communication
two-person communication
interpersonal communication
communication in which the parties consider one another as unique individuals rather than as objects
small group communication
communication within a group that is small enough for every member to participate actively with all other members
organizational communication
communication that occurs within a structured collection of people in order to meet a need or pursue a goal
public communication
communication that occurs when a group becomes too large for all members to contribute. It is characterized by an unequal amount of speaking an by limited verbal feedback
mass communication
the transmission of messages to large, usually widespread audiences via broad-cast (such as radio and television), print (such as newspapers, magazines, and books), multimedia (such as DVD), online, and other forms of media such a recordings and movies
communication competence
ability to maintain a relationship on terms acceptable to all parties
cognitive complexity
the ability to construct a variety of frameworks for viewing an issue
self-monitoring
the process of paying close attention to one's own behavior and using these observations to shape the way one behaves
web 2.0
a term used to describe how the Internet has evolved from a one-way medium into a combination of mass and interpersonal communication
disinhibition
the tendency to transmit messages without considering their consequences
flaming
sending angry and/or insulting emails, text messages, and posts