Purposive Communication and Communication Models

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key communication terms, effective communication principles, major linear/interactive/transactional communication models, communicative competence types, and global/intercultural dynamics.

Communication

A systematic process derived from the Latin "communicare" (meaning sharing of information or intelligence) whereby people create and transmit meaning through verbal and nonverbal messages in any context.

Purposive Communication

An intentional communication that happens within the bounds of specific contexts such as settings, social relationships, scenes, and culture.

Verbal Communication

The use of language to transfer information through speaking or sign language, which can occur in oral or written forms.

Non-verbal Communication

Communication conveyed without the use of words, utilizing body language, gestures, facial expressions, posture, eye contact, paralinguistics, proxemics, and physiological changes.

Oral Communication

The process of conveying or receiving messages using spoken words in direct face-to-face interactions or indirect telephonic and video conversations.

Written Communication

The mode of communication in which messages are transmitted in written or printed form, highly preferred in business for its formal nature.

The Communication Process Diagram

A conceptual model by Lumen Learning showing the interconnected loop between Sender, Encoding, Message, Decoding, Receiver, Feedback, and Noise.

Sender

The initiator of the communication process (also termed speaker, encoder, or source) whose credibility and linguistic competence determine the initial validity of the message.

Correctness

One of the 6 C's of effective communication requiring proper grammar, punctuation, tone, or format.

Conciseness

One of the 6 C's of effective communication that involves stating a message briefly and directly to the point.

Clarity

One of the 6 C's of effective communication focused on providing complete details to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

Concreteness

One of the 6 C's of effective communication that emphasizes using specific details rather than general statements.

Courtesy

One of the 6 C's of effective communication referring to politeness in interacting with others.

Consideration

One of the 6 C's of effective communication that involves recognizing and respecting the feelings of the message receiver.

Encoding

The process of assembling thoughts and ideas into a structured, understandable message.

Channel

The instrument or medium used to transmit a message from the sender to the receiver, such as telephone, social media, or printed texts.

Receiver

The person responsible for interpreting and responding to a message while filtering out distractions.

Decoding

The mental process of interpreting and breaking down a received message to absorb its meaning.

Feedback

The reaction or response sent by the receiver back to the original sender, allowing for clarification and message revision.

Noise

Any environmental, physical, psychological, or emotional barrier that interrupts or distorts the communication process.

Linear Communication Model

A model depicting standard one-way communication where a sender transmits a message through a channel to a receiver, often affected by background noise.

Aristotle's Communication Model

The oldest linear model (300 BC) designed for public speaking and persuasion, featuring an active speaker and a passive audience across 5 components: Speaker, Speech, Occasion, Audience, and Effect.

Ethos

An Aristotelian element of communication defined as the speaker's authority, credibility, and power in a specific field.

Pathos

An Aristotelian element of communication that connects the speaker to the audience through emotional appeal.

Logos

An Aristotelian element of communication that signifies logical reasoning and structure within a speech.

Lasswell's Communication Model

A linear model that frames communication around 5 key elements: Communicator (Who?), Message (Says what?), Medium (In which channel?), Receiver (To whom?), and Effect (With what effect?).

Shannon-Weaver Communication Model

A mathematical linear model developed in Bell Telephone Laboratories comprising 5 concepts: Sender (Information Source), Encoder (Transmitter), Channel (affected by Noise), Decoder (Reception), and Receiver (Destination).

Berlo's S-M-C-R Communication Model

A linear model published in 1960 detailing individual sub-elements across 4 basic steps: Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver.

Interactive Communication Model

A dynamic two-way model used in mediated communication featuring indirect or slow feedback and overlapping Fields of Experience between sender and receiver.

Osgood-Schramm Communication Model

A circular two-way model where participants act as equals, continuously alternating roles between encoding, decoding, and interpreting messages.

Westley and Maclean Communication Model

A mass communication model proposing that communication originates from environmental factors (X) rather than the sender, while incorporating gatekeepers (C) and feedback loops.

Transactional Communication Model

A dynamic two-way model viewing communicators as co-creators of shared meaning, relationships, and realities in overlapping environments impacted by noise.

Barnlund's Communication Model

An interpersonal transactional model depicting communication as a multi-layered, circular system with simultaneous feedback, public cues (Cpu), private cues (Cpr), and nonverbal behavioral cues (Cbehnv).

Dance's Helical Communication Model

A model representing communication as an ever-expanding helical spiral, illustrating that communication is continuous, irreversible, and never repeats itself identically.

Globalization

The process of world shrinkage and increasing economic, political, and cultural integration among people, companies, and governments across borders.

Communicative Competence

A concept coined by Dell Hymes in 1972 referring to both tacit knowledge of language rules and the ability to apply them effectively in diverse social contexts.

Linguistic Competence

Knowledge of the internal language code, including grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.

Sociolinguistic Competence

Understanding sociocultural rules of language use to determine appropriateness based on setting, topic, and relational dynamics.

Discourse Competence

The skill of combining structural language elements to produce and comprehend cohesive and coherent spoken or written texts.

Strategic Competence

The ability to identify and repair communication breakdowns before, during, or after they occur using clarification, paraphrasing, or nonverbal gestures.

Global Mindset

A culturally predisposed mental perspective and cognitive filter that allows individuals to see the world holistically, critically, and with cultural sensitivity.

Multicultural Communication

Communication occurring in settings where diverse cultures co-exist side-by-side without necessarily engaging in deep interaction or connection.

Intercultural Communication

Productive interaction between individuals from different cultural backgrounds characterized by moderate awareness of cultural distinctions.

Cross-Cultural Communication

Interaction across distinct nations and regions that focuses on adapting communication practices to navigate significant cultural and social differences.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture is superior to others, using it as the standard benchmark to evaluate outside cultural practices.

Cultural Barriers vs. Semantic Barriers

A comparative framework contrasting obstacles rooted in social customs, norms, and cultural background against obstacles arising from language comprehension, vocabulary differences, and symbol interpretation.